To get help filling out the FAFSA, college-bound seniors are invited to go to the school library on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
“Honestly I didn’t totally understand filing the FAFSA and neither did my parents,” college advisor Samantha Vogel said. “Each year we ended up having to go in and make small corrections, so I think it’s absolutely worthwhile to get help filing the FAFSA.”
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and is an application seniors and college students fill out to see the amount a student should receive in grants, work study, and loans.
“As long as you file before March 15, that’s called the FAFSA priority deadline, you’re in that first batch of students that completes the FAFSA and you’re getting the best priority over financial aid,” Ms. Vogel said. “A lot of it is first come first serve. So even if we have to go back and change a few things to make corrections, that does not count against you, but the timing does.”
The workshop will have volunteers from all over the city help students and their parents fill out the FAFSA, giving students a chance to get it off their check-lists before the March 15 deadline.
“If you go on Saturday you’re able to go with your parents, and your parents [will learn] more about [the FAFSA],” senior Cindy Estrella said. “I know my parents are kind of like, ‘What is this?’ They just know it’s [for] money but they don’t know the exact process.”
This Saturday isn’t the only day that offers FAFSA help, Ms. Vogel is in the College and Career Center most of the time, and has offered help after school every Wednesday in February.
“There’s someone there to help you through the process, and if you have any questions Ms. Vogel answers them for you,” senior Cindy Estrella said. “All you need to bring is your income tax, your W-2s, your FAFSA ID, and then she’ll help you finish [the FAFSA].”
