Free Financial Aid Workshops for College-Bound Students

SPRINGFIELD – Three statewide organizations dedicated to helping students pursue a college education are partnering in a collaborative effort known as College Awareness and Preparation (CAP), aimed at providing practical, timely, and accurate information on the college process.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the Illinois Association for College Admissions Counseling are working together to improve students’ and families’ awareness of college financial aid opportunities, along with the college selection and admission process. 

While the month of February has traditionally been recognized as Financial Aid/Admission Awareness Month in Illinois, the College Awareness and Preparation program intends to continue providing this critical information year-round, rather than focusing its efforts during just one month.  The groups will make free materials, seminars, and workshops available to nontraditional and under-served populations a particular emphasis of its work. 

While CAP efforts will continue year-round, February still represents a critical point in completing college admissions forms and applying for financial aid.  As the State of Illinois’ centralized agency responsible for administering college financial assistance programs such as scholarships, grants, and educational loans, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will work with Illinois’ financial aid community to provide over 50 free workshops to students and families throughout the state during the month of February 2006. 

Students preparing to enroll in college this fall should begin the financial aid application process now.  All students, from high school juniors to adults returning to college, as well as parents seeking help with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), can receive individual assistance from financial aid professionals during any CAP workshop.  The FAFSA is available, free of charge, on the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and in paper form at high schools, libraries, and colleges.  Completing the FAFSA accurately and on time is the first and most important step to obtaining state and federal student aid.

In addition to the free CAP workshops, each Sunday in February has been designated as a College Goal Sunday, during which free workshops will also be available.  Financial aid professionals will be available to assist families with completing the FAFSA and to answer related questions. 

For all these workshops, families should bring all completed or estimated 2005 income tax forms, along with any other asset information for students and parents, in order to complete the 2006-2007 FAFSA.  Most sites will provide computer access for electronically filing the application.  To expedite the process, families should complete as much of the FAFSA as possible prior to attending the workshop. 

A list of all free CAP workshops, including the College Goal Sunday workshops, is available on ISAC’s Web site at collegezone.com by clicking on Outreach.  Students and families may also call ISAC toll-free at 800-899-ISAC (4722) to speak with a College Zone counselor or to receive more information on CAP workshops.

About ISAC
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is the State’s centralized provider of financial assistance aimed at helping students and families access postsecondary education and/or training. Each year, the Commission awards an estimated $400 million in scholarship and grant aid to nearly 185,000 qualified students, and also provides an additional $740 million to borrowers through its student loan programs. The agency offers credit-based alternative loans, a 529 prepaid tuition program known as College Illinois!, and a broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that families have access to the information they need to pay for a college education. More information is available by calling toll-free 800.899.ISAC (4722) or visiting the agency’s Web site at www.collegezone.com.