Mayor Greg Fischer and more than 100 students and education advocates gathered downtown Tuesday morning to promote the availability of college financial
aid to those who act soon.
The event at the KFC Yum! Center lobby was part of the city’s 55,000 Degree program, the public-private partnership trying to add 55,000 more college graduates to Louisville by 2020.
The idea was to encourage students to act before the end of January by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), at fafsa.ed.gov.
“Too many people pass up the chance to go to college because they assume they can’t afford it,” Fischer said. “I’m here to tell you that hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial aid and scholarships are available to those who fill out a simple on-line form.”
Students can qualify for more than $7,400 a year in state and federal grants for public colleges ($10,400 for private colleges) by completing the FAFSA, which is also commonly used to help determine eligibility for scholarships.
Grants, work-study funds and some loans are given based on need to lower-income households. Some funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; Kentucky’s funds will likely be committed for students at public colleges by early February and at private colleges by late February.
55,000 Degrees is working to help students and parents complete the FAFSA this weekend as part of College Goal Sunday, a nationwide program that provides free information and assistance to families applying for college financial aid. College Goal Sunday mobilizes financial aid professionals from Kentucky and Indiana colleges and universities to help college-bound students and their families complete the FAFSA.
College Goal Sunday events will take place at 17 sites across Kentucky on Sunday, including in Louisville at the Gheens Academy / Male High School, 4425 Preston Highway, from 2 to 4 p.m. For information on other locations, go to kasfaa.com
Indiana’s College Goal Sunday is set for Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., with the nearest location at Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Road, University Center North-Hoosier Room.
Filling out the FAFSA can help students get money from other sources beyond federal aid programs, such as universities and foundations, Fischer said.
Filing a FAFSA is a requirement for many need-based scholarships. To complete the FAFSA, students need the following information for both themselves and their parents where applicable:
• 2011 income tax return.
• Estimate of 2012 income (or W-2s).
• Final 2012 pay stub.
• Driver’s license (student only).
• Social Security number.
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