• Check what your current health insurance covers and find in-network providers near your campus.

• Look up whether your campus has a student health center. Many offer low-cost or free services like vaccines, birth control, STD testing, pregnancy tests, and other screenings.

• Keep in mind that coverage can vary by county, so don't assume your plan works the same everywhere.

A little research now saves a lot of stress (and money) later.

A few things to know:

• When you apply, you're requesting aid for the following school year (applying in October 2024 = aid for 2025–2026)

• You must reapply every year!!!

• The application typically opens in October, though recent years have seen changes. Always check studentaid.gov for the latest information.

Grants (Free Money)

Grants don't have to be repaid. Common ones include the federal Pell Grant, California Student Aid Commission grants, and campus-based scholarships.

⚠️ Scam alert: Ignore any social media posts promising a Pell Grant check. Legitimate grant money is disbursed directly through your school's financial aid office, never as a check from a stranger online.

Loans (Borrowed Money)

If you need to borrow, only take federal (government) loans, never private bank loans. Bank loans carry higher interest rates and are far less flexible during financial hardship. Federal loans also have an important perk: during national emergencies (like the COVID-19 pandemic), the government can pause repayment.

Two types of federal loans to know:

• Subsidized: Interest doesn't start building until after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. The better deal.

• Unsubsidized: Interest starts accruing the moment the money is disbursed. More money upfront, but you'll owe more in the long run.

Work-Study

Work-study lets you work an on-campus job and earn a regular paycheck. That money is yours and it doesn't automatically apply to your tuition or fees, so you're responsible for using it wisely (books, rent, etc.). Set up direct deposit so your check goes straight to your bank account on payday.

Dual Enrollment lets you take classes at a local community college or university that can count toward both your high school diploma and your future college degree. It's great way to get ahead and save time + money.

Personal example: During junior year, one semester of Elementary Spanish at a community college checked off a California high school A-G requirement and a college Humanities credit. Two birds, one stone.

The most important thing? Before committing to either path, look up the credit policies at the colleges you're interested in, since not every school accepts every course.

Spring admits and transfers: Apply from October to December for jobs that start in Spring.

Most schools have a dedicated portal for on-campus and work-study jobs (SF State, for example, uses Handshake).

Check your school's financial aid or student employment webpage to find out which platform they use, then get to searching.

• When you declare your major, save a copy of the degree requirements from that exact period. Departments can update them, and you want a record of what applied to you.

• Build your schedule and track credits using your school's student portal tools.

• Just know these tools can sometimes be out of date, especially if certain courses are no longer offere, so double-check when something looks off!

If you or someone you know is in crisis: Call or text 988 (National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7.

• Certain Bay Area campuses are also enrolling in the Clipper BayPass program, which gives students unlimited rides across all Bay Area transit agencies, included with tuition fees. Check if your campus participates.

• If your campus doesn't have a BayPass program: Check out Clipper START, a discounted fare program for eligible riders.

Here's the truth: a lot of students don't apply because they don't feel like writing the essay, or assume they won't qualify. That's your opportunity! The money has to go somewhere, and the students who put in the effort are the ones who get it.

I personally secured at least $30,000 in need and merit-based scholarships from SFSU by doing exactly this.

So don't overthink it. Fill out the application, write the essay, and submit. Apply, apply, apply!!!

Advisors juggle hundreds of students and can occasionally make mistakes, don't let someone else's oversight cost you a semester.

• When you declare your major, save a copy of the degree requirements from that exact period. Departments can update them, and you want a record of what applied when you entered the program.

• Build your schedule and track credits using tools from your student portal.

• Just know these tools can sometimes be out of date, especially if certain courses are no longer offered, so double-check when something looks off!

I created this guide for first-gen students and families like mine, because navigating college shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt. If you have questions that aren't answered here, don't hesitate to connect with me on LinkedIn!

Here's what AVID can do for you:

• Teach you real skills: organization, note-taking, critical thinking, and how to advocate for yourself.

• Connect you with a community of peers who are working toward the same goals.

• Prepare you for college-level coursework before you even get there.

• Waive college application fees, as well as SAT and ACT fees.

  
  

Ask your school counselor if your school offers an AVID elective.