Sacramento, CA (2018) – Lupita Cortez Alcalá, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission, spoke at the Los Angeles Cash for College (L.A. CFC) Scholarship Awards and School Recognition Reception on May 30, 2018. L.A. CFC is a Regional Coordinating Organization for CSAC’s statewide Cash for College program, which provides workshops to help low-income and first-generation college-goers complete the application process so they can access financial aid for education and career/technical training beyond high school.

L.A. CFC hosted over 220 financial aid completion workshops between October and March this year, assisting approximately 5,000 students in filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), California Dream Act Application, or Chafee Grant Application. Through these workshops, Los Angeles-area students were able to leverage tens of millions of dollars in state and federal financial aid.Mr. Menchaca, who was nominated by his colleague, Louisa Ruiz, was unaware that he would be the recipient of the 2018 Marmaduke Award.  The presenters appeared during a breakfast organized by the school to celebrate graduating seniors.

In addition to providing Cash for College workshops, L.A. CFC awards scholarships to students who attend their events, file a FAFSA on time, and enroll in college. L.A. CFC awarded 20 scholarships for $1,000 over a two-day College & Career Convention and awarded 10 additional $1,000 scholarships to Cash For College workshop participants. This year, in partnership with Wells Fargo, an additional 25 scholarships were awarded to undocumented Cash For College workshop participants.Mr. Menchaca’s achievements at Century High School included.

Ms. Cortez Alcalá was joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, Los Angeles Unified School District President Monica Garcia, Vice President of L.A. Chamber of Commerce and President of UNITE-LA, David Rattray, and Bryan Moeller from Wells Fargo in addressing the 55 award recipients and their families at the Los Angeles Convention Center.