CALWORKS ORIENTATION 2016

CalWORKs ORIENTATION TOPICS How we can help you Changes at Rio Hondo College Tips for Student Success Additional Resources CALWORKS ORIENTATION TOPICS

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU Our primary mission is to help you in any way possible. Here are just some ways we can help you: Develop short and long term educational and career goals Advocate for your rights and assist with legal aid services Priority Registration Basic school supplies Workshops Assistance with completion of GAIN paperwork Work Study On and off campus referrals

MEET THE CALWORKS STAFF Michelle Ramirez, Interim Counselor/Coordinator Kristina Sanchez, Counselor Claudia Alcala, Counselor Rose Calderon, Interim Student Services Assistant Ana Fonseca, Clerk III Jennifer Durand, Clerk II

CALWORKS REQUIREMENTS

INTAKE FORM The Intake Form is required each semester to make sure the CalWORKs office has your most updated information Make sure you answer EVERY question, initial, and sign the form or it may delay the processing of your paperwork.

PRINT OUT OF CLASS SCHEDULE Print out your Detail Schedule on your AccessRio account. Only enroll in classes approved by the CalWORKs counselor.

DAILY SCHEDULE Complete the Daily Schedule based on the classes you are taking each semester. You can also add 1 hour of study time (aka Tutorial lab) for each hour you are in class per week. Courses must be approved by CalWORKs Counselor and GSW. This form is available online at

STUDENT EDUCATIONAL PLAN AND EXTENSION LETTERS Each semester students must meet with a CalWORKs counselor The sessions are designed to assist students to stay on track to accomplish their educational/career goals Abbreviated Student Educational Plan consists of 1 – 2 semesters Revise Student Educational Plan to match semester enrollment for Financial Aid purposes and to process Book and Supply Request Form. Extension Letter When is an extension letter needed? Extension letter is based on student educational plan

FRIENDLY REMINDER There are a number of GAIN requirements that ALL CalWORKs students must meet: You need to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. You can only enroll in classes that are required for your certificate and/or degree program. GAIN may NOT pay for classes that are NOT required for your educational goal. GAIN will not count any hours towards your participation hours for classes that are NOT required for your educational goal listed on your GN 6005/GN 6006 form. GAIN may not pay for books for repeated classes.

ANCILLARY REQUEST FORM Use this form to request College fees e.g. (health, College, & parking), required textbooks and supplies. Take original receipts to Gain Service Worker (GSW) ASAP. To download this form visit:

BASIC SUPPLIES GAIN will provide you with $35 for basic supplies e.g. pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. for Fall & Spring Semesters. Receipts are NOT required for the $35.

RECEIPTS FOR ITEMS PURCHASED The student must submit the Ancillary Request form and, at a later date, submit original receipts to their GSWs. Most GSWs require that you turn in receipts within 10 business days of purchase. It is advised that you keep copies. Before ancillary expense payments are authorized, the need for an item or service, and the cost of the item/service must be verified. For this reason, we ask you to attach a copy of your syllabus, if possible, for any unusual items.

ADDITIONAL ANCILLARIES Textbooks Fees Fingerprinting fees for licensures Registration fees (e.g., Nursing Program, not tuition related) Student ID required by the school Exam fees (e.g., GED) Tools/Clothing Supplies (pencils, pens, paper, etc.) Backpacks (As needed every request will be reviewed for need and reasonableness; case by case) Art Supplies (if needed for elective classes if the class counts towards the degree or certificate of the participant’s approved WtW activity) Tools (if needed for automotive technology classes) Cap and Gown for Graduation Nursing uniforms

MONTHLY ATTENDANCE (MAR) FORM GN6365 Record the hours you attended class-it should match your Daily Schedule Record any class absences Record supervised study time it should match your Daily Schedule Record any study time absences The MAR is a self report of participation hours that must be completed each month

SAMPLE COMPLETED MAR Completed by CalWORKs staff/faculty Don’t forget to total your hours

TRAINING VERIFICATION This form is used by child care provider EACH semester It verifies the student’s semester class schedule You must be enrolled in classes and have completed the daily schedule for that semester Student completes top portion

FRIENDLY REMINDER Hours of Participation: Unless exempt, all students must complete a set amount of participation hours, including Summer and Winter breaks.

WORK IN PROGRESS (WIP) FORM The WIP form will be ed to you from the CalWORKs Office every Fall and Spring semester. Your instructors will complete it to let us know how you are doing in your classes. This form will allow the CalWORKs counselors to complete the Progress Report.

PROGRESS REPORT You must meet with a counselor to have the form completed You must sign the form and provide your phone number You are required to report how you are doing in your classes every 3 months Two unsatisfactory Progress Reports may result in a sanction Requirements Student completes this portion

TWO TYPES OF PROBATION PROGRESS When you have completed less than 50% of the units you have enrolled Below 50% completion for 2 consecutive semesters Unsuccessful completion of: Withdraws (Ws) and Not Passing (NP) This is based on total units ACADEMIC When you have attempted at least 12 units and not maintained an overall GPA of 2.0 GPA is below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters GPA is calculated on a cumulative basis.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES LOSS OF BOG FEE Waiver (Starting Spring 2016) Block from Registration Loss of Priority Enrollment (Priority Registration) Limit amount of Units per semester Grades appear on official transcripts Loss of Financial Aid Graduation and or Transfer implications

FIRST SEMESTER ON PROBATION Block from Registration Loss of Priority Enrollment Limit on the amount of units per semester Warning of Financial Aid Loss of BOG Fee Waiver (Starting Spring 2016) Notified by mail and

SECOND SEMESTER ON PROBATION Block from Registration Loss of Priority Enrollment (Priority Registration) Limit Amount of Units per Semester Loss of Financial Aid Loss of BOG Fee Waiver Dismissal from Rio Hondo College Graduation and Transfer Implications

STRATEGIES TO GET REMOVED FROM ACADEMIC PROBATION Did You Know You Can … Repeat courses previously failed (course repetition) Seek Academic renewal if appropriate Sign up for class on Pass/No Pass Basis Drop for late withdraw

GETTING REMOVED FROM PROGRESS PROBATION Complete your courses Use time management skills to balance school, family, and work Prioritize your goals Have a plan of action for crisis that may occur

MORE SERVICES The CalWORKs Program can lend you a laptop that you can take home with you. Limited to 3 days Laptop Loan Program Use it to complete your required supervised study time. Mon – Thurs 8:00am-5:00-pm Fridays 8:00am-2:00pm Computer Lab

WORK STUDY The CalWORKs Work Study Program allows students the opportunity to attend school and to earn money through employment at on-campus sites. To be eligible for the work study program, students must: Be receiving cash aid for themselves (not just children) Have a 2.0 grade point average Be enrolled in at least 6 units for Fall/Spring and for Winter/Summer must be enrolled in at least 1 unit of credit Have current verification of benefits on file in the CalWORKs Office. Money earned through work study does not effect your cash aid, nor your financial aid eligibility. Hours worked are arranged around your school and family responsibilities.

CSUMENTOR.EDU TRANSFER APPLICATION TO CSU COLLEGES Counselors will assist you in completing the CSU application, especially in October/November All transcripts outside of Rio Hondo College are required NOTE: UC applications are accepted N ov 1 – 30 and assistance can be obtained in the transfer center.

FAFSA – FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID CalWORKs staff are available to assist students with completing the FAFSA application. Assistance in understanding your financial aid status on the student system. FAFSA renewal deadline is Mar 2nd of each year to be eligible for CalGrants and other additional grants. FAFSA Appeals Any documentation for unusual circumstances

CHILD CARE ON-CAMPUS PROCESS The Rio Hondo College Pre-school Laboratory is funded by the State of The Rio Hondo College Pre-school Laboratory located at the Child Development Center is funded by the State of California, Department of Education State Preschool Program. Days and Hours of Operation CRITERA Children must be three years old on or before September 1, 2015 for the fiscal year (July 1 and June 30). Children that meet the age criteria to attend public Kindergarten are not eligible for enrollment In order to enroll in the program, the child must be fully toilet trained. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are available in the Campus Child Development Center office and are accepted continuously throughout the year. FEES First priority is given to families on TANF, SSI, and low income Rio Hondo students and members of the community. Priority families must meet current gross monthly income criteria and may qualify to receive full or partial fee assistance.

TRANSPORTATION DPSS pays transportation! Bus Pass: If public transportation is available and accessible, participants will be provided payment for a bus pass. Participants attending an educational component and eligible for a student bus pass will receive payment for a student bus pass. Participants are also eligible to receive payments to transport their children to and from school and to the child care provided, if it will allow the participant to attend his/her WtW activity. Mileage: A student is eligible for mileage payment if the round trip to the WtW activity using public transit, exceeds a total of two hours, and the student has access to a private vehicle. Parking Expenses: Students may receive parking reimbursement for parking expenses necessary to attend a WtW activity. Parking expenses will be reimbursed at actual cost when the student provides receipts. For students interested in purchasing a student parking permit, this fee is listed on the Supply Request Form.

LIST OF RESOURCES/REFERRALS ON CAMPUS Career Center Transfer Center DSPS EOP&S/CAREFinancial Aid Psychologica l Services Student Health Office

COMPUTER LABS Math &Science Center S-300 (562) District Computer Lab B-108 (562) Learning Assistance Center LC-144 (562) CalWORKs Lab SS-220 (2 nd Floor) (562) Disabled Student Services Lab SS-330 (3 rd Floor) (562) Nursing Lab S-206 (562) Library LRC 2 nd floor (562)

TIPS FOR SUCCESS Time management is key: Keep track of important deadlines such as priority registration date and class drop date. Develop a relationship with your CalWORKs counselors: It is important to work with the counselor as you make your plans for class selection, graduation, transfer, etc. Check your often: is the main way Rio Hondo communicates important information Apply for financial aid: Applications may completed beginning January 1. Make grades a priority: Set high expectations for yourself and take advantage of student success resources, like the library, writing center, and more. Make new friends: Get to know other students in and outside of classes – share resources, ideas and experiences. Join a campus club or get involved with Student Government.

RIO HONDOCOLLEGE CALWORKS PROGRAM CalWORKs Office SS Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA (562) Monday through Thursday 8:00am – 5:00pm Friday 8:00am – 2:00pm

THANK YOU!