Financial aid help (and maybe a free laptop) for students in public housing

A partnership between L.A.’s housing authority and the Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN) will provide free financial aid application support for public housing residents this week.

Plus, some students may take home a free refurbished laptop.

The partnership, Project SOAR, offers the “December Clinics” this week because LAUSD students are on winter break, so they have more time to work on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Returning college students are also encouraged to drop in for support, if they need it.

“We really want our students to submit [their applications] as early as possible, so that they can have access to the largest amount of funding to go towards their college education,” said Niña Abonal, Project SOAR’s program director. “Without the proper guidance,” she added, applying for financial aid “can be a scary process.”

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When and where?

This in-person assistance will take place at six facilities in East and South L.A., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can walk in at any time. They can also schedule a 1-on-1 appointment.

• Tuesday, Dec. 17 
  Nickerson Gardens Computer Lab, 1590 E. 114th Street
  William Mead Homes Computer Lab, 1300 Cardinal Street
  
• Wednesday, Dec. 18 
  Gonzaque Village Computer Lab, 1515 E. 105th Street
  Ramona Gardens Computer Lab, 2830 Lancaster Avenue
  
• Thursday, Dec. 19 
  Jordan Downs Modular, 10228 Juniper Street
  Estrada Courts, 3232 Estrada Street
  

How do I get a free laptop?

To get a free laptop, students must submit the FAFSA or CADAA and complete a one-hour digital literacy training. (There is a limited supply.)

Are there scholarships for LA's public housing residents?

Cris Arzate, resident services manager at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), noted that all public housing residents qualify for special scholarships. This past summer, he told LAist, a nonprofit affiliated with HACLA provided 139 scholarships to high school seniors and returning scholars, totaling $311,000 in funds.

The scholarships, he added, have enabled public housing residents to study across the country, everywhere from “L.A. Trade-Tech to Yale.”