WHS FAFSA NIGHT!

What

WHS FAFSA NIGHT!

When

12/5/2024, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Where

WHS Library

WHS FAFSA Night (for Students &/or Parents) -- Un evento con apoyo bilingüe

Seniors, if you/your parents had not heard yet, the FAFSA will be delayed again this year. The "full launch" date is December 1, 2024 (for applying for 2025-26 school year financial aid). 

On the plus side, this is being done to proactively "beta test" this year's FAFSA will small test groups before launching broadly to prevent the sort of errors and headaches that were widespread last year when the new, simplified FAFSA launched. 

This Dec 5 WHS FAFSA Workshop is timed to give the Dept of Education a few days to work any lingering "bugs" in the system and to avoid slowdowns from when the website is inundated with user traffic when it first opens Dec 1. 

> The FAFSA applies you for up to about $15,000 per year in federal and state GRANTS, not to mention making available other financial aid options like Federal Work-study, Federal Student Loans, and so on. 

> Completing the FAFSA is also required before you can apply for most scholarships , even if you're not expecting to receive need-based grants. 

> FAFSA completion is also part of applying for the Oregon Promise Grant, which is not need-based, per se. 

EARLY ACTION ITEM (FSA ID):
> Starting October 1, you and your parents can create your FSA ID, your digital ID that you'll use to fill out this and all future FAFSAs. 
> It's important to complete this step ahead of when you'll actually be completing the FAFSA to prevent delays / ensure you'll be able to complete the FAFSA when ready; sometimes it can take up to 72 hrs for your FSA ID to be processed and ready for use. 

Link to create an FSA ID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
* NOTE: Your parents may already have an FSA ID from an older sibling's FAFSA process or their own use. 
  Both students and parents need an FSA ID for FAFSA completion (except in rare circumstances where parents will not/cannot be involved). 

Let me know if you need any help or have questions about completing the FSA ID. It's pretty straight forward, but there are just a lot of steps. (It's complicated, in part, because it's designed to protect you from identity theft.)

If you want to learn more about the decision to delay the FAFSA opening until Dec. 1 this year, here's an article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2024/08/08/education-department-will-launch-fafsa-phases


LASTLY, IMPORTANTLY -- Remember that you're my top priority as a senior! 
Don't be shy to "be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease." 
> You can always book a meeting time with me using this link (https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/TRIOPreCollege@students.clatsopcc.edu/bookings/s/NXLcZqZTw0a3Y4mvLv5nbA2), or just stop by my new room (Room 0.00, right next to the bus ramp and Rooms 1 & 2, last door at the end of the fall; see school maps available at the WHS Office for a visual reference), or email, call or text to coordinate with me.