Seniors, it’s here. The first nine weeks of senior year have already passed and time seems to keep moving faster. While some students have already started their college application process and others have been accepted into their desired schools, there are others who are hesitant about stepping on the path toward graduation and higher education.
Career Center Advisor Patty Barclay suggests that seniors begin the transition to college by applying for financial aid.
FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, opened October 1st, and it is highly suggested to complete and send to colleges soon after. The priority deadline for Texas public colleges is March 15th, but that does not mean that this process should be set for the last minute.
“Seniors should just do it,” Barclay said. “There’s a lot of misconceptions [about the program] that some parents are the ones who don’t want to fill out the FAFSA.”
This neglect is primarily a reaction regarding the amount of personal financial information required to submit. These federal student aid programs were designed to help students and their parents, so one can only benefit from submitting an application.
“Whether you think you make a lot of money, it is important to note that many scholarships require you to do the FAFSA, as well,” she said. “Even if you don’t qualify for financial aid for tuition, if you want to get scholarships, many campuses do require you to get it.”
FAFSA, along with scholarships, is a great way to help in the future when paying back student loans.
For more information, you can visit www.fafsa.gov to start an application or visit the career center to consult with Ms. Barclay for additional assistance.