The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) has partnered with the California Department of Social Services and the California Student Aid Commission to bring an eBus to the SJCOE campus on Feb. 19. The eBus will provide “Cash for College” services that focus on meeting the needs of the region’s current and former transitional-age foster youth who are seeking financial aid, either for college or career and technical training.

An eBus is a former city transit bus transformed into a self-sustained mobile computer lab equipped with 10-16 computer stations, broadband internet, Wi-Fi capabilities, copiers, printers, a fax machine, and audio-visual projection. The bus stopping by the SJCOE will also be staffed with experts to help teens, and young adults apply for the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The deadline to submit these applications to qualify for financial aid in fall 2020 is March 2.

Teens and young adults who were in foster care for one day between the age of 16 to 18 and who are now under the age of 26 and in need of financial aid are eligible for the Chafee grant. Statewide data indicates that there are over 1,500 Chafee grant-eligible foster youth living in San Joaquin County. Applicants that qualify could be eligible to receive up to $5,000 a year to attend a college, university, or career or technical training school – and are not required to pay the money back.

Although the eBus visit will focus on supporting foster youth, the services are also open to all individuals between the ages of 16 through 26 that need assistance with completing the FAFSA or CADAA. A valid email address and a social security number, if applicable, will be required to complete the applications.

The Cash for College eBus event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and is open to the public, free of charge. The bus will be at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Wentworth Education Center parking lot at 2707 Transworld Drive in Stockton.

In addition to the visit to the SJCOE campus on Feb. 19, the eBus will also be heading to San Joaquin Delta College at 5151 Pacific Ave., in Stockton on Friday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Since its creation by the Legislature, in 1955, the California Student Aid Commission has continued to operate as 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. The Commission provides financial aid policy analysis and leadership, in partnership with California’s colleges, universities, financial institutions, and financial aid associations. For more information, visit https://www.csac.ca.gov/.

San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.