Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: Aid for College, Swine Flu

September is the time when most young people have made their way back to school. As the state continues to surmount its budget cuts, here's what to expect in the months to come.

Financial Aid
The Legislature fought hard against the governor on major cuts to safety net programs and successfully rejected the governor's proposed elimination of the entire Cal-Grant program.

However, private school Cal Grant recipients should expect a 5 percent reduction in the maximum amount they can receive, from $9,708 to $9,223. Since Cal-Grants are first-come, first-served, I encourage applicants to maximize their award by completing their applications as soon as possible. Applications are due March 2 of every year.

California graduating high school seniors, recent graduates, or those who just got their GED are invited to apply for the Cal-Grant. Make sure when applying both the FASFA and GPA Verification have been submitted. Many schools will submit GPAs electronically to the California Student Aide Commission. If you are unsure as to whether or not your particular school submits electronically, there is a form available online that can be given to the school for verification.

If you received your GED, you can submit the test results in lieu of your high school GPA. Please remember that FASFA and Cal-Grant applications are free! Don't be fooled by Web sites that charge a fee for processing.

My office holds an annual workshop to help students and parents fill out these applications, so stay tuned for a "save-the-date!" For more information regarding Cal-Grant and financial aid opportunities, please visit the Web sites at www.calgrants.org; or www.fastweb.com; or www.csac.ca.gov.

College Savings Month
September is National College Savings Month. Whether your child is in elementary, middle or high school, it is never too early to start saving for their education.

As a certified public accountant, I recommend taking a look at California's 529 College Saving Plan, commonly known as Scholarshare. This plan allows for tax-deferred savings to be used for qualified higher education expenses. A maximum of $320,000 can be saved per child. Qualified costs can include room and board, fees, books and required electronic equipment.

The key to the 529 program is that any earnings grow tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are free from federal and state income taxes. For more information on the 529 savings program and other savings ideas, please visit the Web sites at www.finaid.org/savings or www.scholarshare.com.

Flu Season
With flu season around the corner, prevention is the word of the day. The flu H1N1, also known as "swine flu," is now a pandemic. Scientists continue working diligently on vaccines to help prevent the spread of this virus, but it is important to remember that "pandemic" should not be equated to "panic."

The effects of the current strain of H1N1 are less intense, and the death rate is significantly lower than influenza. If you or your child believes they have contracted H1N1, please contact your physician immediately.

Some of the symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In order to prevent the spread of H1N1, encourage these basic hygiene practices:

• Cover your mouth with tissue when sneezing or coughing;

• Regular hand washing for at least 30-seconds, especially after sneezing or coughing;

• Do not share food or drinks with others.

If your child gets sick during this school session, make sure to inform the school of their illness and keep them home until they get better. It is recommended that any person who is ill stay home for seven days, or until symptom free for 24-hours.

For more information on H1N1, go to the Web site at www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/SwineInfluenza.aspx.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma is the majority whip at the California Assembly.