Financial support can be a puzzle to many incoming students. Not all students can rely on their family to help them financially. César Mora explains his situation:

My parents can't really help me out, because they are low income, they are paying a house payment, car payment, and then I have a lot of brothers and sisters they are still in school, and they got to buy them clothes and stuff like that. (Ln 5-6)

This leaves financial aid as a popular option for students. But first-generation students in particular may be unaware of the various procedures and application processes they need to start while still in high school. Parents of these students may be unfamiliar with these processes as well and not understand why they have to submit private documents, such as their tax returns. Richard C. Richardson, Jr. and Elizabeth Fisk Skinner interviewed minority university graduates across the United States. They found that "Those from college-educated families had information about sources of financial aid and clear expectations about how to make ends meet, while first-generation college students did not (32).

Maria Lupe Figueroa tells of her success with scholarships:

But I was in high school and I heard about all of these scholarships. So I just started filling out the applications and stuff and I did apply for a lot of the scholarships and the professors helped me a lot with the essays so what I did was I just had like two really good developed essays. . . So I did submit those letters to different organizations and I got like $7000 just in scholarships, plus I did apply for financial aid. And my family they are like really low income they work in the agriculture so I receive like one half from the financial aid as well so that is how I am able to pay for college (Ln 7).

Even though Maria Lupe is the first in her family to go to college, she shows a resourcefulness and commitment to her own success at the high school level.

Other students share surprise and relief with their families when they apply for financial aid. Well into spring semester of his senior year in high school, Carlos Armenta had still not filled out his FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is the critical first step in qualification for grants, loans, and scholarships. Luckily Carlos came in contact with a CSUMB Outreach counselor who coached him through his application. Carlos tells of his family's relief when he received his financial aid award letter:

I think what I found out when they gave me the financial aid ­ the reward to see how much the parent contribution is, it says zero ­ student contribution zero. I mean, we were like, my Mom was thrilled. My Mom was like, 'Allight!' You know, this is gonna be, it's gonna be a lot easier on us (Ln 15).

Some CSUMB Outreach counselors report that many high school seniors do not understand that they will receive the same amount of financial aid regardless of which university they apply to. CSUMB Financial Aid is unique in that will not draft an award letter to a financial aid applicant until the student confirms that they will attend CSUMB. Meanwhile, when students begin to receive award letters from other universities yet have not heard from CSUMB they may conclude that they will not receive any financial support if they choose CSUMB. The timely arrival of the award letter can make a substantial difference in the student's and family's attitude toward the financial burden of college.
Though many students are enabled by financial aid, others must find alternate ways to pay for their school and living expenses. Many students work in order to make ends meet. Sandra Chavarin enjoys her jobs with Educational Talent Search and Mini-Corps, but working 20-25 hours a week can impact her study schedule:

Well I think that it has a great impact because working takes a lot of your time and if I would have not been working right now I would have been doing my homework, I would have more time to study for my tests if I had any and do my work, read. . . . I think I would do way better if I didn't have to work. But since I need the money to pay for my books I have to (Ln 9).

Through oral histories of first generation college students at the University of Arizona, Jay Rochlin concludes that the demands of work and classes can affect a struggling student to the point where they may drop out (76). The problem seems to lie in that many students are not systematically educated or supported while attempting the financial aid process. Carlos filled out his application after heavy prompting and Maria Lupe says of learning about scholarships: "A lot of the time I think I was placed at the right time, the right place, I don't know how" (7). Chance encounters with learning of financial aid procedures may work for few but are bound to leave many other students still puzzled.
Financial aid workshops at the high school level can help familiarize parents and students with procedures and the types of aid available. This information should be available in languages other than English in order to inform bilingual families. For those who qualify, it is important for them to know if they will be receiving financial aid in the early stages of their decision making process. It is imperative that families have this information as soon as possible in order to plan for the upcoming years.