Become a Cash for College Volunteer

Cash for College volunteers are CSAC-Certified financial aid experts who offer free assistance to students and families who need help completing their FAFSA or CADAA applications.
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Follow the steps below.

Volunteers Make College Possible

Volunteers are at the heart of the Cash for College program. Each year, they help thousands of Inland Empire students and families navigate the financial aid process—providing hands-on support at workshops, answering questions, and making the path to college or career training clearer and more accessible.

For many students, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is the key to unlocking grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and low-interest loans. But the forms can be overwhelming—especially for first-generation students or those with limited support.

That’s where you come in.

Whether you’re helping at a high school workshop, reviewing forms with students, or simply encouraging someone to apply, your time and guidance can make a lasting difference. Volunteers help ensure more students complete their applications accurately and on time—connecting them to critical financial resources they may not have known existed.

By joining Cash for College, you’re not just helping students fill out paperwork. You’re opening doors—to college, to training, to opportunity.

Get involved. Support a workshop, lend your expertise, and help move more Inland Empire students one step closer to a brighter future.

Take the first step below and learn more about the FAFSA and CADAA.

Become a Cash for College Volunteer

Cash for College Community Champions are trusted, trained partners who support students and families across the Inland Empire as they navigate the financial aid process. Here’s how to get involved:

Steps to Getting Started

Join a free, interactive online training (approximately 3 hours) to learn how to organize and lead effective financial aid workshops in your community. Training includes guidance on FAFSA/CADAA completion, outreach strategies, and best practices for inclusive support.

After the session, complete a short post-training survey to receive your official certification. This designation recognizes you as an approved Cash for College workshop host and prepares you to lead events in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and GIA.

Send your CSAC Certification to our Inland Empire Cash For College coordinator, Julissa: Julissa@inlandempiregia.org

Email our Cash for College Coodinator to set up a meeting and discuss best practices and expectations.

Enroll your organization in the Cash for College Workshop Management System (WMS).  Schedule and host workshops to support students and families in completing FAFSA or CADAA applications. Use the tools and materials provided to create a welcoming, supportive experience for attendees.

After each workshop, submit your attendance records to Julissa@inlandempiregia.org. This ensures students are counted and can be followed up with if additional support is needed.