Gov. Paterson Proclaims Jan. 25 to Feb. 25 Student Financial Aid Awareness Month

ALBANY, NY (01/26/2010)(readMedia)-- January 25 to February 25 has been designated "New York State Student Financial Aid Awareness Month" by Governor David A. Paterson, marking a period during which the State's students and families will learn about the many financial aid opportunities available to help pay for college, and how to apply for them. The NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), New York's student financial aid agency, will spearhead a campaign entitled "Start Here Get There," to inform and educate students and families about college financial aid and promote the completion of the most important tool in securing that aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

StartHereGetThere.org, a new HESC Web site, offers college and financial aid planning information, informative videos, helpful tips and tools, a step-by-step tutorial for completing the FAFSA, as well as a wealth of information about federal, state and college-sponsored aid, including grants, such as New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and other scholarships, loans and work study programs.

"For New York students to remain competitive in the global marketplace, they need to have access to an education that will start them on a path toward success in the future," the Governor stated. "High school seniors and their parents often start to worry this time of year about how they will pay for college, and if they will even have access. Through Student Financial Aid Awareness Month activities and events, they'll learn about the many kinds of financial aid available and how to get it."

"Many students and families don't realize that completing the FAFSA is the first step to obtaining assistance, and that it's best to file the FAFSA as early as possible," said HESC Executive Vice President and Acting President Elsa Magee. "The reality is that there's money available to help pay for college and the FAFSA is the key that unlocks the door to it. It's important to take that first step and complete the FAFSA thoroughly - and early - and HESC is here to help."

Families of college-bound students, as well as those currently attending college, should complete the FAFSA in January or February to have the best chance of garnering the financial aid for which they are qualified.

StartHereGetThere.org also features a link, to TurboTax FAFSA, from Intuit Inc., the maker of the TurboTax® tax preparation software. TurboTax FAFSA makes it easier for students and parents to complete the application quickly and accurately by automatically transferring fifty percent of the required tax information from TurboTax software directly into the FAFSA form.

"By making it easier to complete the FAFSA, TurboTax FAFSA helps families get financial aid so their kids can go to college and achieve their dreams," said Dan Maurer, general manager of Intuit's Consumer Group. "We are proud to work with the State of New York to help students access more money for college."

Families may use the TurboTax Online Free Edition or receive 10 percent off any 2009 TurboTax Online federal and state products by visiting StartHereGetThere.org during Financial Aid Awareness Month.

StartHereGetThere.org lists workshops and media events, organized by geographic region of the State, where New Yorkers can learn that they can pay for college, and that the first step is the completion of the most important tool in securing financial aid, the FAFSA.

The events include financial aid information sessions and "Complete the FAFSA" workshops staffed by financial aid administrators from colleges throughout the State. The YMCA, a key community sponsor, will collaborate with HESC and the NYS Financial Aid Administrators Association to host more than 15 events at its various branches. This partnership complements the efforts of the YMCA-sponsored College Goal Sunday.

Events for Western New York include:

• Complete Your FAFSA Workshop at Jamestown Community College, Jan. 29, from 12 noon until 7:00 pm and at the Bryant and Stratton College of Buffalo on Feb. 13;

• Financial Aid Information Day at the Walden Galleria, Buffalo and the Marketplace Mall, Henrietta.

Complete dates, times and pre-registration information (when required) can be found at StartHereGetThere.org

Other New York State Student Financial Aid Awareness Month sponsors include: the New York State Financial Aid Administrator's Association Inc., the New York State Department of Labor, SEFCU and Believe – Williamsburg Charter High School.

Students and families with questions about the FAFSA may call a special toll-free HESC hotline, 1-800-808-1790, available every Wednesday from Noon to 6 p.m. throughout the month on the following dates: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24.

For more information about Student Financial Aid Awareness month, general FAFSA information and the TurboTax FAFSA, visit StartHereGetThere.org.

About HESC: The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation is the State's student financial aid agency, providing more grant and scholarship awards to students than any other state in the nation. In 2008-09, HESC helped nearly 600,000 students achieve their dream of attending college by providing $4.6 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $813 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to more than 375,000 students. HESC also assists schools and students with advanced default prevention, financial literacy and counseling programs, and provides training and technical services to college financial aid administrators and high school counselors.

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