On January 18, 2024, in collaboration with the East Side Union High School District, San José Cal-SOAP was proud to hold a press conference at James Lick High School, in promotion of the launch of the 2024-2025 Better FAFSA/CADAA.

We were privileged to be joined by ESUHSD Superintendent Glenn Vander Zee and Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan. Also in attendance were esteemed District Councilmembers, State Assembly members, and CSAC representatives, including California State Assembly Member Ash Kalra, Estany Meza representing California State Senator Cortese, Alyssa Garcia Marquez representing Congressman Jimmy Panetta, CSAC Representative Michael Lemus, San Jose City Councilmember Domingo Candela, and Councilmember Peter Ortiz.

This press conference highlighted the great changes made to the FAFSA and CADAA, emphasizing the immeasurable impact that support by our partners has made on students and families in our community, and to celebrate the positive change and increasing financial aid completion rates within our district.

We sincerely thank the many Cal-SOAP partners who braved the cold weather to come out in-person and join the event! Your support is deeply appreciated and invaluable to our cause.

We were also joined by KRON4 News and Telemundo 48 Área De La Bahía, who reported on the news conference, as well as the Cal-SOAP Cash for College workshop taking place at the James Lick High School Learning Center immediately afterwards. These news articles and corresponding video segments are available here:

• KRON4 News - Changes made to California college financial aid forms

• Telemundo 48 Área De La Bahía - Ofrecen talleres para completar solicitud financiera FAFSA para estudiantes de California