Peer Leaders Help Decode Financial Aid Process. High schools were busy in the fall as students finalized college lists, researched deadlines, and hit the “Submit” button on their college applications. Now, all they had to do was wait for college acceptance envelopes in the mail, right? Not exactly. Conversations immediately transitioned to finding money for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA.

For many students, the price tag on a college education can be intimidating and even prevent them from applying. Often students and families are not aware of the various forms of the state and federal college funding available.  Even in these economic times, there’s a lot of free money available to students in the form of scholarships and grants.

Peer Leaders wanted to help their peers and families better understand the college funding options available to them. What better way then through role play?  While attending a summer workshop, Peer Leaders participated in a financial aid activity called Tower of Power. During this activity Peer Leaders learned about the 5 major parts to federal financial aid and how to best self-advocate for each. Over the past 3 months bay area Peer Leaders have been leading this activity for fellow seniors (and sometimes juniors) and their families, eager to provide their communities with information on how students can make college affordable. Extremely supportive school educators were also instrumental to each event’s success.

Bay area Peer Leaders and educators acknowledged the importance of holding the events prior to California’s March 2nd Cal Grant application deadline. With coaching and support from College Summit staff, Peer Leaders and educators at our partner high schools were able to plan and facilitate successful Tower of Power / Financial Aid info events at June Jordan School of Equity, Lionel Wilson College Preparatory, Benjamin Holt College Preparatory, Media College Prep Academy, Mandela Law and Public Service Academy, East Oakland School of the Arts, Castlemont Business Information and Technology School, and Youth Empowerment School. An event at Far West High School is currently in the planning phase. Congratulations to all Peer Leaders and educators on their success! Please visit our PL Tower of Power Photo Gallery to view photos from the events.