The TecoGuide Podcast

When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (#FAFSA), you’ll be asked to provide detailed information about your income and family size. This data helps the federal government determine your eligibility for financial aid—particularly grants designed for students with the greatest financial need, such as those from low-income backgrounds.

What Makes a Student "Dependent"? If you're classified as a dependent studen...

If you're pursuing college in California, there are only two financial aid applications you need to know about:

1. #FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
2. California Dream Act Application (#CADAA) – for undocumented and certain eligible students

FAFSA: Free and Widely Applicable. The FAFSA is the main application for federal and state financial aid. Key det...

What is Federal Work Study?

Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid that offers part-time employment to eligible students. These jobs are designed to help students pay for college-related expenses such as tuition, books, supplies, and transportation. Unlike a traditional job, the earnings from FWS are funded by the federal government and are part of your financial aid award, meaning they don’t reduce your eligibility for othe...

When education is your dream, but life throws a crisis your way, who shows up for you?

At San Francisco Bay University, the Student Emergency Fund offers direct financial support and community-based services to ensure students stay enrolled, even during their toughest moments.

Up to $650/year in emergency grants Food referrals & pantry access A campus clothing closet for interviews + everyday wear Emergency travel support for f...

In this powerful episode of our Transfer Basics Series, Sandra, now a professor and counselor, shares her journey from breaking cultural norms to earning a master’s degree and creating spaces for Latino students through Puente and the Raza Center. Her story proves that being the first isn’t easy, but it opens doors for everyone who comes after.

After graduating from Chico State, Sandra returned to Sacramento to work as a social wor...

In this Transfer Basics Series feature, Jose Vallejo shares his emotional journey from a tomato-picking childhood to becoming a respected community college counselor. With raw honesty, Jose reveals the struggles of being a first-gen student, the power of finding your “why,” and how building relationships on campus changed everything.

Whether you’re unsure of your major or seeking inspiration, this story proves you already have what...

Living in the Bay Area can be notoriously expensive, a major hurdle for students looking to attend school there. SFBU tackles this by offering subsidized student housing, which means lower-than-market rent prices that reduce your total cost of attendance. This alone can make attending SFBU much more feasible than other institutions in the region.

One of the most powerful insights shared by education experts is that private schools ...

What does it take to succeed in college when you’re the first in your family to go?

In this heartfelt Transfer Basics Series feature, retired college counselor Manuel Reyes shares his powerful story, from a humble childhood in a railroad worker’s colony to a degree from UC Davis and a career serving thousands of students.

Key moments include: Growing up with immigrant parents from Zacatecas, Mexico Keeping culture alive through fam...

In this inspiring launch of our Transfer Basics Series, Josh Kahn shares how losing a full-ride scholarship and dropping out of college became the turning point that taught him how to truly be a student. This episode is packed with tips on time management, planning, and building habits for academic success, especially for first-gen and transfer-bound students.

When people think of a good student, they often picture someone with str...

"I flamed out of college. Lost my scholarship. Worked in a warehouse. Then… I came back, graduated with honors, and earned my master’s.”

In this Transfer Basics Series episode of TecoGuide, Josh Kahn shares his real and relatable journey, from academic failure to professional success. His experience underscores the importance of equitable access, second chances through community college, and building lifelong academic habits.

As a ...

"Most of the time, it's not others telling you no. It's you telling yourself no." Meet Alejandra, a first-generation student who grew up in low-income housing, the youngest of six, and began working at age 14. College wasn’t in her plan. She had no idea what came after high school, until she heard about “free money” for college.

That one sentence led her to enroll at Sacramento City College. There, she found supportive professors, ...

How to Secure a Guaranteed Spot at a #UC Campus: Understanding the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (#TAG) Program

Navigating the path from community college to a University of California (UC) campus can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be.

Six campuses offer you a guaranteed spot through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. Find out which ones and how you qualify in this episode of the #TecoGuide podcast with Counselo...

The CSU system spans 23 campuses across California and offers approximately 4,000 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. That’s a tremendous array of opportunities for students across a wide range of interests and career paths.

However, not all CSU campuses offer the same majors. For instance, Sac State has 16 undergraduate programs, 40 graduate programs, and 2 doctoral programs. The list of available maj...

In California, 85% of Black and Latino students in community college don’t make it to a university within four years. The issue isn’t the students, it’s the system. In this podcast, we introduce #TecoGuide, the free app that helps students navigate the complex transfer process. Learn how we’re changing the game for California’s future.

We didn’t build TecoGuide to “disrupt” education. We built it to fix what’s broken: the outdated ...

Thinking about #transferring to a #CSU, #UC, private Institutions or even an out-of-state school? Learn how community college can be your most affordable first step to a bachelor’s degree. Professor G breaks it all down. Take control of your education!

Starting at a community college doesn’t mean taking a shortcut. It means making a strategic and affordable choice.

• Complete 60 units (about 20 courses)
• Transfer as a junior
• Fin...

We’re unpacking the UC TAG system, a powerful route for CA community college students to secure a UC campus spot. From who qualifies to when to apply, #TecoGuide has you covered. Participating in TAG comes with multiple advantages:

• Early Review: Students receive an early evaluation of their academic records.
• Advance Admission Notification: Early decisions help students ...

#TRANSFER TO UC SUCCESSFULLY! Personal Insight Questions Explained Get the UC edge! In this #TecoGuide episode, Counselor Huy walks you through exactly how to craft standout personal insight responses for your #UC transfer application. Learn what admissions officers really want to see, plus tips to showcase your strengths, background, and academic story. Don’t miss this breakdown!

To answer effectively, consider:

1 Focus on your ma...

Success in college isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Start by getting organized. Create a weekly study plan, for every unit you take, dedicate two hours of study time. If you’re taking 15 units, aim for 30 study hours per week.

• Preview course material before class—come prepared with questions.
• Review and rewrite notes to reinforce key concepts.
• Commit to office hours—professors appreciate engaged students!
...

Ever feel like you're struggling more than your classmates to focus, stay organized, or understand material? It might not be a lack of effort, it could be a learning disability or ADHD that was never diagnosed.

The good news? Many community colleges offer testing or can refer you to local resources. If you qualify, your Disability Resource Center can help set up accommodations that make learning more accessible and manageable.

Eve...