Westchester Brings FAFSA First! Workshop to Ossining High School

Westchester County, in partnership with Latino U College Access, has launched FAFSA First! to help first-generation Hispanic students navigate the complex process of applying for state and federal financial aid for college.

The effort is designed to help Hispanic students and their families overcome language and financial barriers to attending college.

“We are proud to partner with Latino U on these vital programs for first-generation Hispanic students,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino in a prepared statement. “Any family who has dealt with the mountain of paperwork involved with the financial aid process knows how overwhelming that can be. Imagine how hard it can be if English is not your first language. FAFSA First! helps take some of the stress out of the equation.”

FAFSA First! helps Hispanic students and their families by pairing them with bilingual volunteers to help them complete financial aid applications, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program (FAFSA), as well as the New York Tuition Assistance Program (NY TAP).

Latino U is currently slated to hold FAFSA First! workshops in four school districts in February (White Plains, Ossining, Port Chester and Tarrytown, which includes Sleepy Hollow):

• February 2, 2016, 7 p.m. at Ossining High School (For OHS students only)
• February 4, 2016, 7 p.m. at White Plains High School (For WPHS students only)
• February 9, 2016, 7 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow High School (For SHHS students only)
• February 27, 2016, 10 a.m. at Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry (Open to all)

Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, founder of Latino U College Access, said failing to complete a FAFSA is a fundamental barrier to attaining a college degree. Latino youth, many of whom are first in their family to go to college, have no help completing financial aid forms and lack financial literacy about applying for financial aid.

“Through our commitment, we are helping to improve the educational attainment of Hispanic youth in Westchester County by supporting their college dreams so that they may fulfill their academic potential and ensure the success of future generations,” Buontempo said.

Westchester County’s partnership with Latino U College Access began in October of 2015, and projects reaching 2,000 families over the next three years. About 10,000 Hispanic students, including a significant first-generation population, attend school in the four participating school districts.

In addition, to FAFSA First!, Latino U offers similar mentoring programs to support Hispanic students in other aspects of the college application process including essay writing, SAT/ACT preparation classes, as well as college coaching where volunteers work one-on-one to support students to create a plan for a college education.

PHOTO/contributed