10,000 Degrees Awarded $500,000 Grant to Help Bay Area Students Secure Financial Aid Before Sept. 2 Cal Grant Deadline

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10,000 Degrees

Aug 21, 2026, 10:30 ET


Local Outreach Initiative Offers Free Workshops and Hands-On Application Support for Historically Underserved College-Bound Students and Families

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 10,000 Degrees announced today it has been awarded a $500,000 competitive grant by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to expand local outreach and provide hands-on assistance for students filling out financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), by Sept. 2, 2026 to be eligible for a Cal Grant.

The grant funding is part of a statewide $5.1 million initiative aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education, which is consistently cited as the single largest obstacle for students pursuing a college degree, career training or new skills. Statewide, approximately 79% of first-time, full-time California community college students rely on financial aid to achieve their goals. All grantees will conduct outreach and hold informational workshops throughout the 2026-2027 academic calendar year.

Through this grant, 10,000 Degrees will focus on supporting students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds across eight Bay Area counties, where FAFSA and CADAA completion rates have historically lagged behind state averages.

"Financial aid is one of the biggest barriers standing between students from low-income backgrounds and a college degree, and this grant allows us to meet that barrier head-on," said Kim Mazzuca, president and CEO of 10,000 Degrees. "With this support from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, we can deepen our partnerships with schools and community colleges, and reach thousands more students with the hands-on financial aid support they need to enroll in and pay for college. We are grateful for this investment in our students' futures."

10,000 Degrees was one of 14 organizations selected due to its proven track record in student advocacy and community support, having previously participated in the Federal FAFSA Student Support Strategy Initiative.

Register for Free Local Financial Aid Workshops

To ensure local students complete their applications accurately and on time before the Sept. 2, 2026 Cal Grant deadline, 10,000 Degrees is hosting a free virtual "Train the Trainer" workshop for educators and those who support students with financial aid to create a culture shift on their campus and build a proactive, whole-school strategy to drive more students to complete their financial aid applications. The workshop is open to all school counselors, college & career specialists, teachers, advisory leads, and CBO partners.

Starting this fall, 10,000 Degrees will host several free virtual financial aid completion workshops open to any student and their families. Experts will guide attendees through the application process step-by-step, and bilingual assistance will be available (English/Spanish). For dates and times, check the 10,000 Degrees' event page.

Can't make a workshop? Find additional resources at 10000degrees.org.

For more information about completing the FAFSA or CADAA, statewide financial aid resources and community college pathways, visit ICanGoToCollege.com.

About 10,000 Degrees:

10,000 Degrees is the leading college success nonprofit in the San Francisco Bay Area. The organization provides students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds with the resources, support and pathways needed to access and complete higher education. Through scholarships, financial aid support, mentorship and comprehensive college success programming, 10,000 Degrees helps students achieve their educational goals and create greater economic opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities. For more information, please visit 10000degrees.org.

About the California Community Colleges:

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state's engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities, and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

Media Contact

Kezia Kent, The TASC Group, 1 (646) 639-1379, [email protected]

SOURCE 10,000 Degrees