We’re an awesome team; students, parents, seniors, counselors, Principals, colleges and the Department of College and Career Preparation. We have an amazing opportunity to give everyone of our senior’s access to more than $10,000 in free money for college. Sending our graduating seniors on to college or a postsecondary education career preparation program is the next step that many –parents and students are looking forward to. After graduation there are great plans for our students to pursue, and our team can help them find money to help pay for their educational plan. Our team’s goal is to help every senior to complete their FAFSA application.

Seniors completing the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, could receive more than $10,000 in financial aid to help families pay for college. As much as $10,000 in free money! Grants and scholarships based on their financial need. $10,000 in free money that does not have to be repaid. Both our federal government, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), work together to provide eligible students with money to be used to pay tuition, fees, room and board costs at hundreds colleges around the country. The key is to apply early and apply NOW!

Our team wants to help every eligible senior to complete the FAFSA before Feb. 26, 2010, to make sure they’re in position to be considered for their fair share of financial aid. This is how our team can work together to make this happen:

Students

• Attend a financial aid presentation or visit our website http://www.chooseyourfuture.org to find out about; financial aid, how to complete the FAFSA and the documents and information that you will need.
• If you worked last summer, know how much money you earned.
• Go to talk to your high school Counselor or College and Career Coach and ask when your school’s FAFSA workshop is scheduled.
• Tell your parent(s) about the FAFSA workshop.
• Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov print the FAFSA worksheet.
• Complete the worksheet.
• Go to a FAFSA completion workshop at your school or a local college, take your parent(s) with you and your completed FAFSA worksheet.
• At the FAFSA workshop ask the FAFSA experts at the workshop for help.
• Complete your FAFSA by February 26th.

Parents

• Talk to your child about his/her postsecondary plans.
• Go to the website http://www.chooseyourfuture.org select the button Pay for College.
• Read about financial aid that is available to pay for college.
• At the website, view the video on how to complete the FAFSA.
• Contact your child’s high school Counselor and find out when the FAFSA completion dates for that school are scheduled to be held.
• Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov print and complete a copy of the FAFSA worksheet.
• Pre-register for and attend a FAFSA completion workshop before February 26th at your child’s high school or a local community college.
• Take your child and the FAFSA worksheet to a FAFSA completion workshop.
• Complete and submit the FAFSA before February 26th.
• Attend a FAFSA follow-up workshop Wednesday, March 10, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00, at the Univ. of Illinois, Circle Campus, Education Performance Arts Building. Learn about comparing college financial aid packages and selecting the best package.

Principals, Counselors, and College and Career Coaches

• Invite speakers in for financial aid presentations for our students and parents.
• Schedule at least 2 financial aid workshops, including 1 Saturday workshop, during the month of February 2010
• Conduct an advertising blitz in your school and community about the date and time of your FAFSA completion event. Post your event dates outside on your school marquee on your school website and announce in your daily in-school announcements.
• Check your FAFSA completion rosters weekly and post your completion percentage around the school.

Dept of College and Career staff, colleges and partners

• Volunteer and schedule yourself and financial aid staff of experts to assist in the CPS high school FAFSA labs.
• Dig in and help out! We have approximately 18,000 FAFSA’s to finish by Feb 26th. With your help, we can do it!