Marlborough High to Host FAFSA Day in Late January

will host a FAFSA Day for all college-bound students and their families Thursday, Jan. 26. beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the federally required form for all students seeking financial aid including grants, loans and Federal Work-Study assistance. All graduating and adult students entering college for the 2012-13 school year must file a FAFSA prior to being considered for any financial assistance. Additionally, some states and colleges also use FAFSA information to award their own funds.

Each college and university has its own deadline for filing the FAFSA, however MHS guidance counselors recommend filing by early February so students do not miss out on any financial aid opportunities.

The Jan. 26 MHS event will begin with a presentation in the Little Theater, where parents can learn line-by-line how to complete the form. Additionally, “quick answer” tables will be set up for parents who have just a couple of questions about the process.

The computer labs in the Library Media Center will be open to allow parents to go online and complete their FAFSA that evening, with a FAFSA expert nearby to help with questions.

Students and parents* should each bring the following documents for the process:

• Student FAFSA Pin (www.pin.ed.gov) if you already have received one.
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number
• Most recent federal tax return
• Most recent W-2 or year-end pay stub
• Untaxed income records
• Bank statement(s)
• Business and investment records
• Alien Registration Card (if not a U.S. Citizen)

(*Students who were born before Jan. 1, 1989 do not need to bring parental information.)

The MHS Guidance Department prepared a FAFSA Checklist that parents and students can use prior to the Jan. 26 event to ensure they have all necessary forms and information with them when they attend the session (See attached PDF).

 For more information on the Massachusetts FAFSA Day effort statewide, visit www.FAFSADAY.org.

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