FAFSA Day Salem Offers Free Help Applying for Financial Aid for College!

SALEM, MA –Every high school senior, college student, and adult student who will be attending college during the 2017-2018 academic year needs to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid

LEAP for Education and Salem Academy Charter School have once again partnered up to assist students and parents in completing the FAFSA. These services are FREE and available to anyone attending college for the 2017-2018 academic year; students on free/reduced lunch, Spanish speaking, and/or first-generation students are especially encouraged to attend. It will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Salem Academy Charter School at 45 Congress Street, Salem, MA between 10 am and 1 pm.

All FAFSA forms will be filled out online and must be submitted every year until the student graduates from college. Federal Student Aid is available as grants (free money from the federal/state government), work-study program (allows students to work part-time jobs on campus), or loans (borrowed money that has to be repaid with interest).

LEAP for Education and Salem Academy Charter School are doing this in collaboration with FAFSA Day Massachusetts, part of the national College Goal SundaySM program, which is a volunteer driven program providing FREE help statewide to students and families looking to complete the FAFSA.

FAFSA Day is staffed by volunteer financial aid and higher education experts available to provide families with assistance. FAFSA Day is a non-profit program sponsored by Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, MEFA, American Student Assistance, and USA Funds. Over 14,000 Massachusetts students have been served during FAFSA Day events.

“Every year we are extremely excited to serve more North Shore families who really need this help. Filling out the FAFSA can be overwhelming, especially if you are a first-time applicant. We will have many volunteers, both English- and Spanish-speaking, on hand to help students and parents navigate the applications,” said Betty Haggerty, Coordinator of the College Success Program at LEAP for Education.

“It is highly recommended that FAFSA applications be filed as soon as possible to ensure that you do not miss out on available aid. No appointment is needed, but students do need to register. Our workshop is free and open from 10am-1pm to anyone from the North Shore region that needs our assistance,” said Melissa Lassen, College Counselor, Salem Academy Charter School.

Families are encouraged to visit www.MASFAA.org/fafsa-day-register to register and to see a list of what to bring. For questions or additional information, please call 877-424-7627 or e-mail fafsaday@gmail.com