Time to Do Your FAFSA: HESC Offers Step-by-Step Help via Podcasts

ALBANY, NY (01/05/2009)(readMedia)-- The key to unlocking the door for student financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - the FAFSA.

The length of the application can sometimes feel daunting, but the New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) recently created a series of free video podcasts to make completing the online FAFSA easier. HESC is the state agency that helps people pay for college.

It's important for students and families to file their FAFSA as early as possible after Jan. 1. The FAFSA and the resulting Student Aid Report (SAR) help college financial aid officers determine your eligibility for federal financial aid programs such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and federal work-study. It's also the basis for determining eligibility for other state and college-based scholarships and aid programs.

Commercial-free video podcasts are available on the HESC Web site (www.hesc.org) featuring step-by-step help with the online FAFSA for both students and parents. Hosted by Heather McDonnell, financial aid director at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, important questions are explained in detail to clarify the information being requested.

The podcasts can be downloaded to any computer or portable device at any time so students may follow section-by-section, at their own pace while completing their online FAFSA.

"Podcasting financial aid information is another method of fulfilling HESC's mission to meet the changing needs of our customers and help them pay for college," said HESC President James C. Ross.

"HESC heard the calls for more financial aid and financial literacy education throughout New York State," said Ross. "We are responding with this new podcast series available 24/7 for all students, high school counselors and financial aid administrators free of charge."

Audio podcasts on financial literacy topics are also available on HESC's Web site. The first in the financial literacy series is Smart Borrowing, an overview of the various types of student loans and includes assessment and planning information. New podcasts will be released monthly.

Students and families may access the online FAFSA via HESC's Web site; New York residents who indicate a New York public or private institution as a SAR recipient will be automatically brought to the New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) online application from the FAFSA confirmation page.

About HESC: HESC is the nation's largest in-state student loan guaranty agency providing more grant and scholarship money to college students than any other state in the nation.

The state agency helped nearly 650,000 students achieve their dream of attending college by providing $4.5 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees in 2007-08, including $795 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to more than 370,000 students.

HESC administers New York's 529 College Savings Program, a nationally-acclaimed program which boasts over $8 billion in assets in more than 600,000 accounts.

HESC also provides training and technical services to financial aid administrators, high school counselors, and lenders.

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