An interview with... Evelyn Craine of the California Student Aid Commission

After attending Solano Community College, Evelyn began her state career with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) as a Seasonal Clerk in the Cal Grant A program. In 1999 she transferred to the Specialized Programs Branch and is currently a Financial Aid Analyst and the principal contact for the GEAR UP Scholarshare Trust Awards.

What does the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) do to assist the California GEAR UP program?
The California Student Aid Commission administers the Educational Trust Awards, commonly known as “scholarships,” for GEAR UP. This office produces the applications, identifies the awardees, and sends out award notifications to GEAR UP schools, students, and parents. We also produce and send certificates signed by the Governor. Most importantly, we maintain yearly contact with the awardees and provide liaison services with Fidelity Investments, which has the Scholarshare account in the student’s name. After the student awardees enroll in college, we authorize the disbursements to the financial aid office.

Where do the funds come from for the GEAR UP Educational Trust Awards?
Funds come from the federal government as designated by the California GEAR UP program.

Through your communication with the student awardees and their parents, what have you learned about these students?
It has been a joy to talk to the selected scholars and hear their excitement about their future in going to college. One twelve year old 6th grader sent a thank you letter to CSAC about how this award is changing her. She said, “Early on, I was not making good grades, but now I want to make my parents proud of me. I will continue to do better.”

These students are now living all over the country. One grateful parent sent the CSAC office cookies and a photo of her son who is now attending Grambling University. Many students call to check that CSAC has their updated address. Parents often call to find out when the funds will be available although once a student is 18 years old, we prefer to talk directly to the student.

What is the process by which a student receives the funds?
First, the student needs to graduate from high school or attain the equivalent, such as GED or CHSP. Then the student needs to enroll in college within one year (12 months) of high school graduation or the equivalent. The CSAC sends the student paperwork which needs to be completed by the financial aid officer as proof of enrollment in college. After the CSAC receives the proof of enrollment, then another packet is sent with a Letter of Instruction, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and a Golden State Scholarshare Trust Withdrawal Form. The student takes the Withdrawal Form to the financial aid office at the college of enrollment for completion. After CSAC receives the Withdrawal Form, then the Scholarshare funds are sent to the financial aid office. The student may use the award funds for any educational need. Students may also withdraw partial funds, allowing the balance of the award to continue earning interest.

Do you have any suggestions for students if they move?
It is very important for the student to call or email the CSAC about all changes of address so that CSAC can stay in contact with them.

How important do you think these Educational Trust Awards are for low-income families?
Many parents do not understand financial aid. They are hesitant to fill out the FAFSA forms because of the personal questions. Through these awards given in middle school, the parents begin to understand the financial aid process and become comfortable with it.

We think these awards encourage the awardee and their family to start thinking about college as much as six years before high school graduation. These accounts start at $2,000 and with interest can grow to $2,500. The student gets to see this increase in the annual letter from the CSAC. This is the kind of encouragement many students need.

The contact number for the California Student Aid Commission regarding student awards is (916) 526-7965.

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Newsletter Credits

Joann Zgonc - Publication Coordinator
Bernadette Ramirez - Executive Assistant
Tarik Assagai - ACS Digital Media

Regional Coordinators

Sandy Carpenter-Stevenson	Vance Mills
Shirley A. Cunningham	Gina Rodriguez
Frank Holmes	Robert Van Zant
Donald Mar	Joann Zgonc

In This Issue

Notes From the GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis
This has been an exciting year for our program, our partners, our schools and our students! Work...

An interview with... Evelyn Craine of the California Student Aid Commission
After attending Solano Community College, Evelyn began her state career with the California Stu...

MEET THE EVALUATOR Don Watson
Don Watson has been the evaluator for California GEAR UP since 2001. He worked for 37 years as an...

Parent Institute for Quality Education Serves GEAR UP Schools
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RESOURCES AND MATERIALS CLEARINGHOUSE (RMC), 4th Edition
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