With financial aid season well underway, we want to make sure that all of you have the resources needed to make this complicated process as seamless as possible. For those of you who've submitted the FAFSA: congrats! Those who have not yet submitted their FAFSA have a variety of tools still at their disposal, and we'll talk about them here.
As you probably know already, some indispensable references for financial aid help are both financial aid consultants and the FAFSA website. Further information is available to students from specific schools, however, in the form of financial aid workshops and seminars. Financial aid workshops help students to navigate the unfamiliar waters of the financial aid process, and may include information such as financial aid policies at a given school, tips on completing the FAFSA and resources that the school’s financial aid office will be able to provide to students when they come in for help. A good many high schools, colleges and universities are preparing to hold financial aid workshops shortly. Check out the following list to see if your school is on it.
High Schools
Russell High School, January 22nd.
Russell High School is Kansas has a fast-approaching financial aid workshop scheduled for its seniors and their families on the 22nd of this month. Planned discussion points include explaining the concepts of cost of attendance (COA) and expected family contribution (EFC). Most importantly, perhaps, the school will address how to deal with the FAFSA and the kinds of aid it help lead to.
Peabody Magnet High School, January 24th
Peabody Magnet High School in Louisiana is set to welcome not only its own students but also those from neighboring schools on January 24th for its annual financial aid workshop. Students and their family have the opportunity to check out various colleges and military opportunities as well as learn about financial aid at this seminar. The program promises to discuss various grant and loan options in addition to FAFSA pointers.
Hillsborough County School District, January 24th-31st
Hillsborough County, in Florida, has already held a few workshops this month for students of the district’s several high schools. Three workshops remain for the month, including Gaither High School on the 24th, Riverview High School on the 29th and Hillsborough High School on the 31st. As would be expected, the FAFSA and its many intricacies will be discussed and university personnel from local colleges will be on hand to answer questions. These sessions are free to interested attendees.
Colleges and Universities
Everett Community College, January 24th & 26th
Everett Community College in Washington will play host to a handful of financial aid workshops within the next week. Everett Community College’s East Campus is set to have a workshop session on the 24th, while the main Campus will hold its event on the 26th. Each session promises to cover topics such as the college’s specific FAFSA deadline, the importance (financially-speaking) of filing early and the opportunity to get one-on-one help from financial aid representatives.
College of Southern Maryland, January 27th
CSM will deliver invaluable resources to its students in a financial aid workshop scheduled for January 27th. The school’s workshop will centrally focus on FAFSA completion, and students are encouraged to have necessary information available so that college staff may help them fill out the form there.
Bowling Green State University, February 1st
Bowling Green State University in Ohio will hold a financial aid workshop for its students on February 1st. According to the school, the session will focus on “the basics of financial aid, review various scholarship opportunities, and provide an overview of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.” The intensive introduction to the financial aid process will last 4 hours and explain university-specific financial aid guidelines. Students may also ask questions.
Of course these are just a few of the financial aid workshops that will be available to students and their families as the financial aid season gets into full swing. High school seniors: be sure to check to see if your school offers such assistance. All others: check with particular colleges to see what’s available. As we discussed, some events are open to those not event attending the host institution.
So many solutions to financial aid questions are available to students. Use your resources well and good luck in your search for financial aid!
