In non-profit work it’s easy to get tunnel vision, especially when it comes to who you serve. Who is the audience for our work? At Golden State Opportunity, we serve all Californians, especially low income Californians, those eligible for benefits but who are not receiving them. But who are those folks?

Claiming a tax credit could make a big difference to a group that doesn’t always jump to the front of your mind: community college students. Many community college students ARE eligible for the CalEITC and don’t ever claim it.

April was Community College Month in California and we’ve been very focused on reaching this group through CalEITC4ME. It’s been a valuable reminder that so many different groups of Californians can benefit from tax credits. Working with one of our grantees, The Foundation for California Community Colleges, we’ve been helping to host free tax prep events and do other outreach to make sure California’s community college students know there’s money on the table for them!

But who are these students?

This #CCMonth, let’s look at California’s Community College Students.

According to the Foundation for California Community Colleges:

  • Three out of every ten Californians age 18-24 are currently enrolled in a California Community College
  • Over 40 percent of California Community College students are age 25 or older and are already working adults.

And supporting community college students through tax credits doesn’t just benefit those students. It benefits all of California: 

Per FCCC:

  • For every dollar California invests to get students in and through college, the state’s economy receives a $4.50 net return on investment.

And, even though April is over and the tax deadline has passed we’ve been trying to get out the word on one especially important point: it’s not too late! It’s not too late for students, or anyone, to file taxes and/or claim these credits.

Let’s spread the word: Claim Your Credits! April may be the tax deadline, but that’s just the beginning when it comes to claiming your credits.

 

by Golden State Opportunity President Amy Everitt