Assistance offered for filing FAFSA forms
Though high school graduation is still
four months away, college-bound seniors have some fast approaching
deadlines to keep in mind.
Christina Nadeau, counselor at Bigfork
High School, is reminding parents and students that they need to
consider filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid,
known as the FAFSA, sooner rather than later.
The FAFSA helps determine if a student
is eligible for federal grants and loans, but also helps colleges
in deciding who gets need-based aid and how much.
“The college is where most of your
funds come from,” Nadeau said. “A lot of it has to do with the
FAFSA. The earlier you get it done, the further up the line you are
(to receive aid).”
The Student Assistance Foundation, a
Montana nonprofit, is working to help youth and their parents in
the state with completing the form, particularly through College
Goal Montana events at a variety of locations. Bigfork High School
hosted its first session through the program last week, with a
webinar and a staff person from the group present to answer
questions. Eight families showed up for the support.
Nadeau notes that the form, for those
who haven’t dealt with it before, can be intimidating, which is why
this program seeks to help.
“It can be really daunting to families
to get it filled out,” Nadeau said. “It’s something new... I never
want it to be a barrier for a student.”
Each school has its own priority
deadline for filling out the FAFSA, though it can be submitted at
any time. Those who want to be early in the line up to get aid
should fill it out by their respective schools’ deadlines, Nadeau
said. The University of Montana campuses have a priority deadline
of Feb. 15. Montana State University campuses give prospective
students until March 1 for their deadline.
“Definitely look to see at your top
school choice when the deadline is,” Nadeau said.
She also noted that students who intend
to go to college should be keeping their eyes out for scholarship
deadlines and apply to any and all.
“Aside from admission, school and
financial aid priority deadlines are key,” she said. “Those are the
three big priorities when looking at a school.”
To fill out the FAFSA, parents and
students will need their Social Security numbers, their 2010
federal tax returns, W-2s and other aid information, and any other
additional asset information, such as that on stocks or other
investments.
It also requires a pin number, which
can be registered for at www.pin.ed.gov. That should be done on a
date prior to needing to fill out the form as it can take several
days to receive.
Nadeau notes that parents don’t have to
have all of their taxes done for 2010 in order to apply. They can
use their 2009 information and then go back in and correct it once
their 2010 taxes are completed.
Those who need assistance or want to
find out about an upcoming session can contact the Student
Assistance Foundation at 877-COLG4ME or visit
smartaboutcollege.org.
Additional free FAFSA help sessions
will be held this week at Flathead Valley Community College. They
will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at Ross Hall and 1
p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Business and Social Sciences
building.
The FAFSA can be filled out and
submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.