PROGRAM TO EXPLAIN COLLEGE AID STUDENTS, PARENTS INVITED.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - Students and parents can learn about various sources of money for college when Antelope Valley College hosts Cash for College on Feb. 5 in the Student Services Building on campus.

The program will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7:10 p.m.

Representatives from the local college's financial aid office and from lending institutions will present workshops designed to help students understand the processes for obtaining scholarships, grants and loans, as well as assist with money management and filling out federal financial aid forms.

Registration is not required. Participants should check in at the Student Services Building to receive a information packet. Each workshop will last 40 minutes, with as many as nine workshops offered simultaneously. Topics include:

--Understanding how to get all the money you can - an overview.

--Filling out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

--Cal Grant at the community college and beyond.

--Scholarships: finding the free money.

--Loans, loans and more loans: understanding the ins and outs.

--Money management: how to stay out of debt.

--Transferring: how to make sure your money goes with you.

--Financial assistance for immigrant students.

--Ask a financial aid expert about your financial aid.

Those wanting help in filling out the official aid forms should bring financial records such as federal income tax returns for 2003 (if completed), records of untaxed income, W-2 forms, bank statements, records of investments, Social Security cards and driver's licenses.

``The cost of college tuition and related expenses are increasing each year,'' said Jill Zimmerman, dean of student services. ``Antelope Valley College wants to make sure that the students of Antelope Valley gain valuable knowledge so they can make informed choices about how affordable college can be.''

For information, call [phone] or [phone].