Empowering You to Guide the Way

Whether you’re leading a workshop or advising one-on-one, these resources are designed to help you build confidence, stay current, and remove barriers for students and families.

Build Capacity to Support Students with Financial Aid

GIA provides resources and training designed to help educators, advisors, and community partners expand access to financial aid across the Inland Empire. Using a train-the-trainer model, school counselors, student advocates, outreach coordinators, and others who work directly with students can become certified Cash for College facilitators at their own institutions.

Certified facilitators are prepared to lead financial aid workshops and offer hands-on support to students and families navigating the FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA). By building local capacity, GIA helps ensure that students, particularly those who have been historically underserved, receive the guidance they need to take the next step in their postsecondary journey.

Resources to Strengthen Your Impact

Increase Your Financial Aid Knowledge

Join the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for a Financial Aid Train-the-Trainer Certification Webinar.

This free training equips school staff, counselors, and community partners with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently host local financial aid workshops to help students complete the FAFSA and CADAA.

Host a Cash for College Workshop

Cash for College workshops are an effective way to support students and families with completing the FAFSA and CADAA. Hosting a workshop is simple, and GIA is here to support you every step of the way.

Create your first Cash for College workshop today.

NCAN Financial Aid Toolkit

This toolkit features up-to-date resources from the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), and our regional partners. You’ll find webinars, how-to guides, infographics, and fact sheets to support your work with students and families.

Help Students Prepare to File the FAFSA

Before students begin their FAFSA, it’s important they understand what to expect and have the right documents ready. This page provides clear guidance to help you walk students and families through the preparation process — including key deadlines, common questions, and what information to gather in advance. 

College Corps: Service, Access, and Opportunity

The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program creates debt-free pathways to college while giving students opportunities to serve their communities. Launched in partnership with California colleges and universities, this first-of-its-kind initiative will place more than 10,000 Fellows over the next four years to address critical challenges across the state.

Help Families Start Saving for College

The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) helps families start saving early for college. The program is run by the ScholarShare Investment Board and gives eligible children a free college savings account with an initial deposit.

Cash for College Scholarship

Learn more about the Cash for College Scholarship, which supports students from all backgrounds, including undocumented students, as they prepare to continue their education in the upcoming academic year.