About Us
Cash for College is a regional initiative powered by Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) in collaboration with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Together, we make it easier for Inland Empire students to access the financial aid they need to pursue college or career training after high school.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple but powerful: remove financial barriers to higher education. Through free workshops, hands-on trainings, and community outreach, we guide students and families through key applications like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth. Students who complete a financial aid application are far more likely to enroll in college, leading to stronger career opportunities and a thriving Inland Empire economy.
Our Team
Cash for College is led by a dedicated network of educators, outreach specialists, financial aid experts, and program coordinators from GIA and CSAC who share a single goal, helping every Inland Empire student see college as an achievable next step. By combining local knowledge with statewide resources, we ensure that students and families receive accurate information, personalized guidance, and the encouragement needed to confidently navigate the financial aid process.
As GIA’s Cash For College Coordinator for the Inland Empire, Julissa Loza Mendez is primarily responsible for coordinating outreach programs and implementing the regional Cash For College Program to support students’ higher education goals.
Julissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. A lifelong advocate for education, Julissa is dedicated to raising educational awareness in the Inland Empire to improve the region’s financial aid completion rates.
Partners
Partnerships are at the heart of our success. We collaborate with high schools, colleges, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders across the Inland Empire to host Cash for College events and expand outreach. This network ensures that students in every neighborhood have access to the guidance and resources they need to secure financial aid.
California Student Aid Commission
The Commission is the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California.
The Commission has never wavered from its central mission to make education beyond high school financially accessible to all Californians. To learn more visit: https://www.csac.ca.gov.
Growing Inland Achievement
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is the Regional Coordinating Organization for Cash for College in the Inland Empire. To learn more visit: inlandempiregia.org.
Our Impact
Every year, thousands of Inland Empire students complete financial aid applications and take their next steps toward college with the help of Cash for College.
Visit our most recent scholarship winners for the Cash for College scholarship and their success stories. These stories celebrate the students, families, and educators who are transforming our region, one financial aid application at a time.
