Cerritos College students gathered at the Library Shade Structure for yet another ASCC tabling. This Wednesday, Feb. 25, was all about financial aid. It is one of many tabling events ASCC hosts to showcase and support campus resources.
Students gathered to play “Guess that Pryce” with ASCC Treasurer Pryce Phungraksakiat, a pun based on his name.
Hosted by the Associated Students of Cerritos College and the Financial Aid Office, the event invited students to guess the prices of bookstore items for a chance to win them.
In between laughs and wrong guesses, student leaders spoke directly about the March 2 FAFSA deadline and why financial aid matters now more than ever.
Roshan Faye Dolatare, a kinesiology major and ASCC deputy of student services, said the goal was simple: make sure students know help exists.
“As deputy of student services for ASCC, I see it as my duty to let students know about all the services that happen on campus, big and small,” Dolatare said. She said misinformation is stopping some students from applying.
“With everything going on in the government, it makes students who don’t have a steady home life afraid of being deported or having their family deported,” Dolatare continued. “That is a lie because the Department of Homeland Security doesn’t have access to that.”
For Amanda Monroy, a political science major, first-generation college student and ASCC president, the issue is personal.
“FAFSA is important to me because as a first-generation college student, I find it highly important to utilize college to the best of my knowledge and to help you succeed in your future as well as help you to achieve your goals and dreams,” Monroy said.
She helped create the event because of rising costs and growing fear among students.
“FAFSA is needed more than ever with the cost of living rising and so many things just getting expensive,” Monroy said.
“Students who don’t have a steady home life are afraid of getting financial aid because they worry that if they put their address in, they could risk getting themselves or their families deported, and that is not true. It’s false information.”
Her advice was practical and honest.
“Do your research and take those four classes to get even more money, because we all know we love money,” Monroy continued.
Matthew Moreno, a mechanical engineering major who works in the Financial Aid Office, sees the impact daily.
“FAFSA is important to me because it helps me get a career that I want, and working in the FAFSA office helps me out even more,” Moreno said.
He pointed students toward resources like the Pell Grant and Cal Grant and encouraged them to ask questions.
“If you have questions, ask the office and don’t be afraid to ask for help because help is always needed.”
At the center of the event was ASCC Treasurer Pryce Phungraksakiat, a business major who proudly embraced the spotlight.
“FAFSA is important to me because I come from a family that has a harder time because of how we live,” Phungraksakiat said. “My family is from Taiwan, and they never got higher education, and I want to be the first in my family to really achieve something big.”
He said being featured in the event meant a lot.
“I love this idea. I love that I’m the main star of it, and that might sound arrogant and vain, but I think it’s cool that ASCC showcases a student like this,” he said.
Beyond all the smiles, glitter and glory, the message was clear: Do not let fear stop you from achieving your goals, and do not be afraid of asking for help when needed; support is everywhere.
“Come to me if you ever need money help,” Phungraksakiat said. “I deal mainly with school and ASCC budgets, but I can also help with financial aid or help you get the support, as I’m connected with them.”
This event helped spread information about financial aid, and attendees left with information that will help them beyond college. Being knowledgeable and resourceful in this time of need is vital.
