Financial Aid

Financial Aid Saturdays through March 7 at area high schools

The Austin Community College District invites families seeking college financial aid to get valuable assistance during Financial Aid Saturdays held each weekend through March 7 at Central Texas high schools.

“Each year ACC provides thousands of dollars in financial aid to students, but families must complete the FAFSA before they can even qualify,” says Terry Bazan, ACC financial assistance director. “By simply filling out and submitting the FAFSA, students have a chance to receive state and federal aid to help offset the rising cost of college.”

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is required to receive federal financial aid, which includes Federal Pell Grant, student loans, and need-based state grants. Families are urged to submit the FAFSA by March 31 to increase their chances of receiving aid.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce is spearheading Financial Aid Saturdays to reach graduating high school seniors who believe they cannot afford to go to college and are unaware of the millions of dollars in college grants and tuition assistance that is available to them, says Mike Rollins, chamber president.

Financial Aid Saturdays provide free assistance for students and parents filling out the FAFSA. Help is available in English and Spanish, and tax preparation assistance is available at some sites.

“FAFSA Saturdays provide the help to the students and their families in applying for dollars that are truly available,” Rollins says. “Going to college is the first step to fulfilling lifetime opportunities for having a good job.”

Schedule: Below is a list of dates and locations for Financial Aid Saturdays. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. More information or printable fliers are available at austinchamber.com/collegeready or by calling (512) 322.5689.

• February 7: Hays, Lanier, Manor, and Pflugerville High Schools
• February 14: Akins, Connally, Del Valle, Lehman, and McNeil High Schools
• February 21: Hutto, Leander, and Reagan High Schools
• February 28: Bastrop, Stony Point, and Travis High Schools
• March 7: Lehman, New Tech, Round Rock, and San Marcos High Schools

What to bring: Participants to bring any of the following items that apply to them.

• A list of colleges/universities the student is interested in attending
• Student’s driver’s license number
• Student’s alien registration card, if applicable
• Student and parent/guardians’ Social Security numbers
• Student and parent/guardians’ 2008 W-2 forms and other records of income earned last year
• Student and parent/guardians’ 2008 untaxed income records
• Student and parent/guardians’ 2008 bank statements
• Student and parent/guardians’ 2008 business and investment mortgage info and other investment records