Inland Empire Leaders Launch “Cash for College” Campaign Amid Rising Living Costs

The FAFSA and California Dream Act Application are now open, giving families extra help to pay for college, books and career training. Priority deadline: March 2, 2026.

Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. — (October 9, 2025) — With living costs rising and families worried about how to pay for college, Inland Empire leaders came together on Wednesday, October 8, to launch the region’s Cash For College campaign, encouraging students and parents to apply early for financial aid through the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

Held at KVCR Public Media on the campus of San Bernardino Valley College, the event marked the start of the 2025–26 financial aid cycle, which opened on October 1. Leaders urged families and students to apply early to qualify for the maximum amount of aid available before the March 2, 2026 state priority deadline.

“We know it’s getting harder to save for college, and many families feel they haven’t saved enough,” said Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. “Financial aid is here to help, especially for working and middle-class families.”

Call to Action for Families Across the Region

According to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), approximately 44,000 high school seniors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties applied for financial aid last year — roughly 7 in 10 of the senior class. However, nearly 3 in 10 did not.

“That means thousands of families left money on the table,” said Angel Rodriguez, Commissioner and Chair of CSAC’s Student Impact, Outreach and Communications Committee and Associate Vice Chancellor at SBCCD. “Cash for College is how we change that and make sure every family knows help is here.”

Jazmyn Garcia, SBCCD Student Trustee of Crafton Hills College. “Whether you graduated this year or ten years ago,” she said, “college and career training are still the best investment you can make in yourself.”

“Our mission is to eliminate cost as a barrier for California’s students,” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC. “With the right support, every student can see college or career training as not only possible — but affordable to achieve their educational dreams.”

The press conference, organized by the California Student Aid Commission, the San Bernardino Community College District and KVCR Public Media, featured student voices, K–12 and college leaders, public officials, community stakeholders, and school and college mascots.

Speakers at the event included:

• Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes
• Assemblymember Leticia Castillo
• Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor, SBCCD
• Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director, CSAC
• Angel Rodriguez, CSAC Commissioner and SBCCD Associate Vice Chancellor
• Dr. Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor, Riverside Community College District
• Dr. Paz Oliverez, Vice President of Student Affairs, CSUSB
• Emily Engelschall, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services, UC Riverside
• Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President/CEO, Growing Inland Achievement
• Ryan Ramey, Vice Principal, Pacific High School (SBCUSD)
• Jazmyn Garcia, Student Trustee, SBCCD

Find a Cash For College Workshop Near You

Students and families can visit CSAC.ca.gov or IECashForCollege.org to find free in-person or online workshops and step-by-step help completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. For personal assistance, call the California Student Aid Commission at (888) 224–7268.

Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes, who authored AB 469 to expand access to financial aid, said, “That law is working. California is now #7 in the nation, up seven spots from last year. We should be proud and energized to keep going.”

Assemblymember Leticia Castillo said, “As a mom and a grandmother, I know how important it is that our kids and grandkids have opportunities to succeed. Here in the Inland Empire, jobs are growing in health care, education and skilled trades. But students need training to qualify — and financial aid helps make that possible.”

Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC, said, “Last year, California served over 850,000 students and invested $4 billion in financial aid. This support helps foster youth, adults and middle-class families. I’m here in the Inland Empire to say that financial aid is here for you — and to encourage you to apply by March 2.”

Angel Rodriguez, CSAC Commissioner and SBCCD Associate Vice Chancellor, said, “Families today are asking the same question mine did: Can we really afford college? That’s why we’re here today — to make sure every family knows Cash For College is available.”

Dr. Paz Oliverez, Vice President of Student Affairs at CSUSB, said the campus oversees CSAC’s California Student Opportunity and Access Program in San Bernardino, known as Cal-SOAP, and last year hosted 112 Cash for College workshops across the region to help families apply for financial aid.

Emily Engelschall, Associate Vice Chancellor at UC Riverside, said, “At UCR, students prepare to become doctors in our School of Medicine, engineers, business leaders, policymakers, and educators. These are careers that change lives and make our communities stronger. Financial aid opens that door.”

Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President/CEO, Growing Inland Achievement, noted that the effort connects directly to the region’s workforce goals: “By 2030, we want seven of ten Inland Empire residents to hold a degree or certificate. FAFSA and the Dream Act are step one — the key to better jobs and stronger families.”

Ryan Ramey, Vice Principal, Pacific High School in San Bernardino, said, “The FAFSA and Dream Act applications can seem intimidating, but families don’t have to go it alone. Our schools are hosting Cash for College workshops to walk you through every step.”

About California Student Aid Commission

The California Student Aid Commission currently serves over 2.2 million students and administers over $3.9 billion of student financial aid programs and services, including the Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, and the California Dream Act Application. The Commission serves as a resource for policymakers and the public on college affordability and financing issues, and advocates for policy changes to eliminate cost as a barrier to any qualified California student pursuing a higher education. Visit our website at www.csac.ca.gov or follow us on social media by clicking on our Link Tree.

About San Bernardino Community College District

The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) serves about 30,000 students each year at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. SBCCD also operates KVCR, the NPR/PBS station for the Inland Empire, and the Economic Development & Corporate Training Center. Founded in 1926, SBCCD is marking 100 years of higher education and career training, preparing generations of healthcare providers, first responders, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Learn more at www.sbccd.edu.