Money for College: It Starts with FAFSA – Free Workshops in Central New York

ALBANY, NY (01/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Local college-bound students and families are getting help completing their application for financial aid.

Through its "Start Here to Get There" campaign, taking place now through February 25, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is working with financial aid professionals and other volunteers across the State to inform and educate students and families about all of the financial aid opportunities available to help them pay for college and promote the completion of the most important tool in securing financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Together with College Goal Sunday New York, the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) and other partners, HESC is co-hosting workshops in Central New York to help students and families complete the FAFSA.

New Yorkers who are unable to attend an event can also get specific questions answered each Tuesday and Thursday from Noon to 5 pm by calling HESC's FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-808-1790 or emailing anytime to FAFSAHelp@hesc.org.

FAFSA events in Central New York:

2/02/2012

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

FAFSA Filing Event

George Fowler High School

227 Magnolia St.

Syracuse, NY 13204

No registration is necessary and walk ins are welcome.

For more information contact LaSonya Griggs at 315-464-8817.

2/03/2012

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Presentation

Cayuga Community College

Auburn Campus

197 Franklin St.

Auburn, NY 13021

2/08/2012

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

FAFSA Filing Event

SEFCU/Jobs Plus

677 South Salina St. Suite 201

Syracuse, NY 13205

To reserve your spot call 866-733-2880 x5321, or online at www.sefcu.com.

2/08/2012

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

FAFSA Filing Night

Henninger High School

600 Robinson St.

Syracuse, NY 13206

No registration is necessary and walk ins are welcome.

For more information contact LaSonya Griggs at 315-464-8817.

2/11/2012

9:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m.

FAFSA Filing College Goal Sunday

Rome Free Academy

95 Dart Circle

Rome, NY 13441

Registration required. For additional information and registration, visit New York's College Goal Sunday web site at www.collegegoalsundayny.com.

2/16/2012

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

FAFSA Filing Event

ITC High School

111 Fellows Ave.

Syracuse, NY 13210

No registration is necessary and walk ins are welcome.

For more information contact LaSonya Griggs at 315-464-8817.

About HESC: HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. 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 2010-11, HESC helped more than 413,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $991 million in grants, scholarships and federal student loan guarantees, including $855 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

New York's College Goal Sunday is a service project of the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) and the New York State Higher Education Services Corp., the State's student financial aid agency. It is funded through a generous grant from the Lumina Foundation and supported by funds from the federal College Access Challenge Grant.