One application, the FAFSA, can significantly improve the financial aid outcomes for your college-bound students and their families. Unfortunately, filing that application often creates stress and misunderstandings about the process of paying for college and the ability to obtain financial aid.
To dispel the myths and provide a clear understanding of the financial aid process, including help in preparing the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, HESC will again host Student Financial Aid Awareness Month (SFAAM) starting January 25, 2014.
Beginning this December, HESC will open its dedicated website, StartHereGetThere.org, to help students and families learn about the financial aid process and provide information about federal aid programs and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). In the 2012-2013 academic year, TAP provided over $931 million to more than 305,000 New York State students to help them pay for college — averaging $3,049 per recipient.
Then, in mid-January and running through February, HESC will offer financial aid workshops and FAFSA completion events at locations all around the state. A complete list of event sites will be posted on the StartHereGetThere website. We will again offer online chat and toll free call-in hours to answer financial aid questions and provide personal assistance with the FAFSA.
