ALBANY, NY (01/25/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) announced a month-long campaign to encourage students and families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – one of the most important tools in securing financial aid – early in the New Year.

"For New York students to remain competitive in the global marketplace, they must have access to an education that will provide them with the tools for a successful future," said HESC Executive Vice President Elsa Magee. "The activities and events planned from January 25 through February 25 will provide New York's families with information necessary to access the many kinds of available financial aid."

A recently-launched HESC Web site, www.StartHereGetThere.org, offers college and financial aid planning, informative videos, helpful tips and tools, and a step-by-step tutorial for completing the FAFSA, as well as information about federal, state and college-sponsored aid, including grants, such as New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The site also features a link, provided by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), to free tax preparation and volunteer income tax assistance sites to help low- and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost. Completing income tax forms is a prerequisite to filing for federal student financial aid.

HESC encourages students and families of college-bound students, as well as those currently attending college, to complete the FAFSA in January or February to ensure that they receive the financial assistance to which they are entitled.

Many students and families don't realize that the FAFSA is the first step to obtaining assistance, and that it's best to file the FAFSA as early as possible. The reality is that there's money available to help pay for college. The FAFSA is the key that unlocks the door to nearly all types of aid. It's important to take that first step and complete the FAFSA thoroughly and early.

Financial aid information sessions and "Complete the FAFSA" workshop events are coordinated through HESC, along with key sponsors and community partners statewide. The Web site www.StartHereGetThere.org provides a listing of these events by geographic region of the State. In addition, students and families with questions about the FAFSA may also 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. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23.

About HESC: HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency, helping people pay for college by providing more grant and scholarship award money than any other state in the nation. At HESC's core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), federal college access grants, and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these, and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2009-10, HESC helped more than 605,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $4.4 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $901 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to nearly 398,000 students.

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Posted Tuesday January 25, 2011 at 06:02 am by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
Last Updated Monday January 31, 2011 at 12:17 pm