Financial Aid Links and Info

Before I post some lengthy information about the Financial Aid process, I wanted to give out some information on some upcoming events regarding Financial Aid. Everything I mention will be a great help to students and parents alike as the process can be tricky and confusing the first time through. Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a necessary step in the college application process - no matter how high or low your family's income is!! This is very important to remember. You may be eligible for federal aid that will help lower the cost of college.

There are some great informational sessions coming up in the new year that will help you to start and complete the FAFSA process!

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January 5, 2013, 10:00am @ St. John's University SI Campus
FAFSA Filing 101 Session
St. John's University staff will assist students and families with navigating the financial aid application process. They will provide an overview on how to:

• Complete the FAFSA
• Avoid common pitfalls and mistakes
• Expedite the process
• Ask questions of financial aid experts

Please follow this link: http://goto.stjohns.edu/FAFSA101 to register for the information session.

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CollegeWeekLive presents: PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Thursday, January 10 between 2:00pm and 10:00pm

Join CollegeWeekLive for Paying for College Day, a free online event to help you decide the best way to pay for college. Login anytime from 2:00 to 10:00 PM EST, Thursday, January 10, 2013 to live chat with admissions officers and financial aid experts from Department of Education to learn how to:

• Uncover the best scholarship opportunities online
• Understand the difference between private and public scholarships
• Access financial aid programs

Bonus! Visit three colleges during the event and you'll be automatically entered to win $2,500 in HP's Time is Money Scholarship! 

 Follow this link (http://www.collegeweeklive.com/en_CA/guest/app-registration) to sign up for CollegeWeekLive and be a part of this event. 

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On Saturday January 12, 10:00am @ McKee HS, we will be holding a FAFSA Informational Session for parents and students. There will be snacks and refreshments offered. We are very thankful to have a representative from the New York Urban League coming to McKee to speak to our school community about the Financial Aid process. We will be giving an overview on how to complete the FAFSA, types of aid available, and we will be answering any other questions you might have. An invitation with RSVP will be sent out during the first week of school.

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College Goal NY Saturday, February 2, 10:00 @ Wagner College
College Goal NY events are held throughout New York State to help students and families complete the FAFSA online. Financial aid professionals from local colleges are available at these events to answer your questions and help you complete your FAFSA application. (I'll be there, too!)
College Goal NY is run by Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), New York's student financial aid agency. Visit HESC.ny.gov to learn about student financial aid types – including grants, scholarships, awards, work study, savings programs, and student loans.
After signing up for the Staten Island event at this link (http://collegegoalny.org/student-registration.html?&id=17), you can take a look at the FAFSA checklist to be aware of what you will need to bring with you to complete the FAFSA - explore everything listed under the "Get Started" tab on the website for more information.

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FAFSA4caster will help you understand your options for paying for college.Provide some basic information and they'll estimate your eligibility for federal student aid. Your estimate will be shown in the College Cost Worksheet where you can also provide estimated amounts of other student aid and savings that can go towards your college education.

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US Dept of Ed College Affordability and Transparency Center gives  information about tuition and net prices at postsecondary institutions. The site highlights institutions with high and low tuition and fees as well as high and low net prices (the price of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid). It also shows institutions where tuition and fees and net prices are increasing at the highest rates. The website includes a Net Price Calculator, College Navigator, List of Proprietary Schools, and State Spending Charts. 

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Start Here, Get There is an informative site for students with links to more Financial Aid workshops and information sessions around NYC. Click "Find an Event" and continue to "Region 6" to see all events in the NYC area.  

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That's all for now.

Have a safe and happy new year! See you in 2013!!

-Ms. Miller