Verification of Benefits and Continuing Student Form was DUE August 1, 2024

Please note that you are responsible for submitting your required CalWORKs documentation every semester. 

You are REQUIRED to submit proof of cash-aid at the beginning of EVERY SEMESTER, along with a Continuing Student Form, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT enrolled in the current semester but plan on coming back the following semester. 

Eligibility also allows you to receive FREE gas cards, educational supplies, and schedule academic appointments with your CalWORKs counselor.  

IF YOU ARE AN L.A. COUNTY PARTICIPANT 

One type of Eligibility is a “Verification of Benefits” form. This form can be printed out from your DPSS account online or can be saved directly to your computer in a PDF form.

You can also obtain this form by calling your Eligibility worker and requesting a form mailed out to you or going to the county office "customer service" line and requesting one in person. 

Another type of Eligibility documentation is a “Notice of Action” letter. This letter is mailed to you every few months. Please note: Cash Aid Notice of Action letters will be the only ones we accept. We will not take childcare, transportation, Medical, or CalFresh. 

IF YOU ARE AN O.C. COUNTY PARTICIPANT 

You can obtain the verification of Benefits Form by calling your Eligibility worker and requesting a form.

Please keep in mind that either of the above-mentioned eligibility documentation MUST be dated within the semester.

For example: For the Fall 2024, the form MUST be dated August 2024

If you have any questions/concerns or difficulties obtaining Verification, please let me know. We can email your eligibility worker on your behalf. 

However, keep in mind that without Verification of Benefits we will not be able to provide any services including material reimbursement requests, counseling appointments, gas cards, early enrollment, monthly attendance reports, or progress reports. 

Live Your Dream Award

The Live Your Dream Awards offers three levels of cash awards. Eligible applicants can submit their application between August 15 - November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on reaching her dreams.

 You are eligible to apply if you are a woman who:

• Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
• Has financial need.
• Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.
• Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.
• Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).
• Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
• Does not have a graduate degree.
• Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
• Will write essays in your own words without the use of artificial intelligence.

Counseling Corner

A Message from our CalWORKs Counselors!

Dear Cerritos College CalWORKs students, welcome to Fall 2024! You are AMAZING and we are so excited for you to start off the Fall 2024 semester SMART and STRONG! 

If you still need help with your Fall 2024 classes or registration, please be sure to schedule an appointment with a CalWORKs Counselor as soon as possible! 

Be sure to review your class schedule and pay attention to the start dates of your in-person, remote or online classes! 

Instructions for viewing your class schedule:

Important Dates & Deadlines for Fall 2024:

1. September 11: Last day to drop without a "W"
2. September 16: Census Dates for Financial Aid

If you have not enrolled for Fall, please schedule an appointment with a CalWORKs counselor to assist you in selecting classes and updating your educational plan.

If you are STRUGGLING in a course, please schedule an appointment with a CalWORKs Counselor ASAP, so we can discuss important OPTIONS for SUCCESS. 

Work-Study Corner

Want to work on-campus without it affecting your cash-aid benefits?

Join the Work-Study Team!

Register onto Jobspeaker to begin your search! 

Log into the Student Employment Information page on the Cerritos College website for more information on Jobspeaker and instructions on how to register.

https://www.cerritos.edu/student-employment/student-information.htm

Please contact me if you have any questions. I am here to help! 

Job Placement Technician:

Lorena Castellanos

lcastellanos@cerritos.edu

(562) 860-2451 ext. 2368

Financial

Aid Reminders!

Complete 2024-2025 FAFSA or CADAA if they have not so already, applications are available online.

Awarding for 2024-2025 will happen early August

Review your Message Center for updates.

Stay in contact with the financial aid office on updates:

• Phone:(562) 860-2451 ext. 2397

• Email: finaid@cerritos.edu

• Instagram: @cerritosfinaid

• Zoom:

General Questions:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

10 am - 2 pm 

Wednesday

10 am - 6 pm

Zoom Link Click HERE!

Assistance with Applications

Monday - Thursday

8 - 4:30 pm

Friday Closed

Zoom Link Click HERE!

Join our CalWORKs Canvas Page!

If you have not done so, self enroll by clicking the link below.

This will help you stay up to date on deadline, workshops, free events, and more!

Material Reimbursement or Advancement for

Fall 2024

You have two (2) options of submitting your request:

Option 1: Connect with your Caseworker Directly and submit your class schedule and fees.

Option 2: Make an appointment with a CalWORKs Counselor by calling or emailing the CalWORKs department.

(562) 860-2451 ext. 2593

calworks-info@cerritos.edu



Please note, material appointments are not student-driven appointments and must be done by contacting the office NOT through EAB Navigate as it is NOT currently an option.

Like the transportation and diaper allowance, now students attending Cerritos College will receive an allowance for books and basic school supplies every Fall, Spring and Summer semesters based on their units/sessions:

• Fall & Spring
• Full-time students taking 12-units and up will receive a $500 
• Part-time student taking anything less than 12 units will receive $250
• Summer
• 1 session $175
• 2 sessions $300

Please note: 

• If your books and supplies add to more than the allowance allocated for the semester you can submit an itemized request to the county for the additional items. However, please keep in mind that proof of purchases MUST be submitted. Proof includes receipts and syllabus showing REQUIRED items. 
• Items such as Internet Assistance ($20/month per month enrolled in an online class), and School Fees (CCSA, Health, Student Representation, etc.) can be requested in addition to the allowance. 



How to forms (click on links below)

• How to Locate My Fees
• How to find my class schedule
• How to add my books 

Material Reimbursement or Advancement for Spring 2025

can be done as early as

January 1, 2025

Here is a video to help you learn more about reimbursements and support, including Materials for school. (LA County)

Diapers are at the Nest!

Franco’s Market now carries diapers. Sizes may vary each week. Please let a clerk know you are interested when you come to pick up your PantrySoft order. Two packs per order, while supplies last

In Need of School Supplies for your children?

If you are looking for FREE school supplies for your children please look at the link below for locations in your area.

 Re-Entry Resources and Workshops

MyCerritos/Canvas Overview



Wed., August 21, from

5pm - 6pm on Zoom 

Returning to School:

How to pick up where I left off

Thur., August 22, from

3:30pm - 4:30pm in MP 213

Scholarship Workshop

Tue., August 27, from

 11am - 12pm in MP 211

Financial Aid 101 for Re-Entry Students

Wed., August 28, from

5pm - 6pm on Zoom 

www.cerritos.edu/calworks

Do not miss out on new and important information, resources, deadlines, and events. Follow us and like us on:

Facebook & Instagram

@cerritoscollegecalworks

Cerritos CANVAS Page &

Pronto Messaging

@CalWORKsStudentServices 

Also! Don't forget to visit our CalWORKs website for forms, announcements, and office processes.