College-bound students face March 1 deadline for aid form

COLUMBUS – One of the most important homework assignments of a student's career is due within the next several weeks: applying for financial aid. College-bound students have until March 1, the Ohio State deadline, to complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) – the single largest source of college scholarships, grants and loans in the country.

Financial aid experts from The Ohio State University will be available to help families fill out the eight-page FAFSA form during "College Goal Sunday."

According to Ohio State, completing the FAFSA form is the first step for students seeking financial assistance for college. Students must file the federal form in order to qualify for federal and state grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance, including scholarships.

"Ninety-seven percent of college financial aid is provided as a result of this federal application," said Tally Hart, director of Ohio State's Office of Student Financial Aid. "With the wide array of financial aid available to students today, a college education remains an affordable option for most families. Every student, regardless of their family income level, should apply for financial aid."

Here are some tips from Hart to consider when applying for financial aid:

•Don't wait until you've been accepted into a college or university. Turn in a financial aid application in time to meet the earliest deadline among the colleges you consider.

•Don't turn yourself down – or use a credit card for college expenses – until you've applied for financial aid.

•File the free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, or as soon as possible. Use the web filing process which prevents errors and speeds up processing. If you plan to apply online, you should obtain a pin number several days in advance through www.pin.ed.gov.

•Make sure that you keep copies of all materials submitted, and keep your mailing address and e-mail address up-to-date, in case universities try to contact you for additional information.

•Don't forget to apply for private scholarships through churches; professional, civic or service organizations; private foundations; the military, etc. Information on these opportunities is available through high school guidance counselors, libraries and the local chamber of commerce.

•No family should have to pay for scholarship information or preparation. A number of free, internet-based national scholarship search services are available at http://sfa.osu.edu/.

Hart encourages prospective students to take advantage of "College Goal Sunday," for free, expert assistance in filling out the FAFSA. On Sunday (2/12) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., college financial aid experts from Ohio State and other institutions will be in 34 locations across the state to help college-bound families complete the FAFSA form in one afternoon.

"In one afternoon, we help families get through the process and make sure the information is corrrect and ready to send," said Hart. "We can help do the entire form, or, if a family has already started it, they can get it checked over by experts."

College Goal Sunday is part of a statewide effort to improve access to college for Ohioans. Similar one-day FAFSA filling-out events take place in 24 states.

In Franklin County, financial aid experts will be assisting potential students and their families in four locations: Briggs High School, 2555 Briggs Rd; DeVry University, 1350 Alum Creek Dr.; Gahanna Lincoln High School, 140 S. Hamilton Rd.; and Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd.

Other central Ohio sites include the Central Ohio Technical College/OSU Newark, 1179 University Drive, Newark; Tolles Techical Center, 7877 US Highway 42 S., Plain City; and Circleville Bible College, 1479 Lancaster Pike, Circleville.

A list of the 34 locations hosting the workshops can be found at www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org/.

Participants must bring their parents' and their own 2005 IRS 1040 tax return and W2's along with any other 2005 income and benefits information. Students may register online through February 10 for the free seminar and receive additional information at www.oasfaa.org/docs/forms/CGSReg.html.