Library offers help for college preparation

The Sonoma County Library has rescheduled several events in its popular Path to College workshop series that had been canceled due to the firestorms.

With the free workshops, the Library seeks to support college-bound high school students and their families through all stages of the college preparation and application process.

The upcoming Path to College classes are:

How to Tackle the Essay & UC Prompts (pre-registration recommended) on Nov. 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Petaluma Regional Library; Nov. 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Central Santa Rosa Library.

Paying for College: Financial Aid and the FAFSA on Nov. 4 from 10:30 am.-noon in the Petaluma Regional Library; Nov. 20 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Central Santa Rosa Library.

The JC Transfer Option on Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m.-noon in Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library; Dec. 2 from 10:30 a.m.-noon in the Central Santa Rosa Library.

All classes have bilingual staff to support Spanish speaking students and families, except “How to Tackle the Essay and UC prompts” which is taught in English. The presenters are all qualified local experts, and the events are free.

Students are welcome to bring their draft essays and responses to the UC prompts for expert review at the “How to Tackle the Essay and UC prompts” workshops. These are hands-on classes for students with guided writing exercises and tips to craft and polish captivating essays.

Pre-registration may be made by phone (Petaluma 765-9801; Central Santa Rosa 545-0831) or at www.sonomacounty.libcal.com.

The “Paying for College” workshops are part of the statewide Cash for College program, and all attendees will be eligible to enter to win a scholarship. These workshops offer real-time assistance by staff from the Santa Rosa Junior College financial aid office with completing the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act financial aid application. Bring 2016 tax returns to complete applications.

The “JC Transfer Option” workshop seeks to prepare students who intend to complete two years of college at Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to a 4-year college. Expert SRJC counselors will present information necessary to avoid pitfalls and make the best use of time at the community college.

“Preparing for college can be a stressful time for high school students and their families. We’re proud to support these students and give them the information they need to achieve their higher education goals. Best yet, our workshops are free and open to all,” said Petaluma Library Teen Services Librarian Diana Spaulding.

Read more about services and programs offered by the Library at www.sonomacounty.libcal.com.