There are many things about college that are confusing. Some of them matter more than others.
The apparent popularity of tweed jackets? Nope. Doesn’t matter. You don’t want to go there.
What the heck Franz Kafka was drinking when he wrote “The Metamorphosis?” That might matter, depending on who you get for English 102.
The sometimes complicated process involved in getting financial aid? Yup. That one’s important. You really need to figure it out.
But don’t worry. We’re here to help.
The vast majority of college students get some sort of financial aid. In fact, financial aid is so common that the net cost of going to a community college like CSN is virtually zero for many students.
Did you catch that? With financial aid, your college education can be practically free.
There are Pell Grants and Stafford loans and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and scholarships of all kinds and Teacher Education Assistance for College Grants and, well, you get the point.
But in case you didn’t: There’s tons of money out there. Don’t let it get away.
CSN’s financial aid gurus are holding a series of workshops in the next few weeks for students and parents who want a little hand-holding while filling out the necessary forms, which, because they go to the federal government, have an acronym: FAFSA. That stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is an absolute must for almost all college students.
So, come on down to one of the workshops, which are listed below. We’ll have Spanish speakers on hand if you need one, and we’ll have computers and people to show you how to do what needs to be done.
Don’t wait, either. The priority deadline to get your FAFSA filed for the 2014-2015 academic year is April 30, 2014. Students can submit the forms as late as June 30, 2014, but might miss out on some aid.
“Applying for financial aid is complicated and can be intimidating. We will have financial aid experts on hand to help students and parents navigate the process and help position students to maximize opportunities to receive assistance,” CSN Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration Patty Charlton said. “CSN is the most affordable higher education institution in Southern Nevada, but we know that many of our students must take out loans in order to attend, particularly if they want to enroll full time and not work. At this event, students can learn about how to apply for loans, how much to apply for and borrowing responsibly.”
Students and parents are invited to attend the workshops, and students need not be CSN students to benefit. Any Nevada resident who plans on attending any college next year should fill out the FAFSA.
Students and parents should bring, if applicable:
- Social Security card
- W-2 forms for all jobs in 2013
- Tax forms 1099-MISC/1099-SSA
- 2013 federal tax returns
- child support documents
- 2013 food stamp award letter
- untaxed pensions/retirement plans
- FAFSA PIN number if they already have one
The workshops:
Henderson campus:
- From 6-8 p.m. Feb. 20, in Building C, room 116.
- From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 in Building C, room 117.
West Charleston campus:
- From 6-8 p.m. March 27, Building I, room 105.
- From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29, Building I, room 220.
Cheyenne campus:
- From 6-8 p.m. April 17, Building C, room 1681.
- From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19, Building C, room 2660.