Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that he will host a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and college affordability workshop on Saturday, February 18th to assist students and families ahead of the March 2nd application deadline. Patricia Aguilera from California State University, San Bernardino will be on site to answer questions about the FAFSA application process as well as other student loan concerns.

“College affordability is one of the most important issues for San Bernardino County families. As tuition continues to rise, we need to do everything we can to give students and their families the resources they need to afford college,” said Rep. Aguilar. He added, “Parents shouldn’t have to choose between retirement and putting their kids through school. We can and we should work to make it a little easier.”

What: FAFSA and College Affordability Workshop

When: Saturday, February 18th from 9:00AM to 11:00AM

Where: San Bernardino Valley College

             701 S. Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410

             [Business Conference Center, Room B100]

Free parking is available in lots 1 and 11. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP here. For additional information, please call Rep. Aguilar’s office at 909-890-4445.

Rep. Aguilar and his brother were the first in their family to go to college. Rep. Aguilar was only able to afford college with the help of a Pell Grant and part-time jobs. Since taking office, he’s prioritized making college more affordable. Last year, he introduced the Grace Period Alleviation (GPA) Act, which would ease the financial burden on students by extending their loan repayment grace period, eliminating interest payments during the grace period for students with subsidized loans, and allowing students to refinance their loans under certain circumstances. He has also cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation to expand access to Pell Grants, make two years of community college free for all Americans, and to improve accountability measures at for-profit colleges to protect students. This is Rep. Aguilar’s second FAFSA and college affordability workshop.