Financial Aid Information Night Scheduled At Bucks Community College

NEWTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Community College will hold a Financial Aid Information Night on Tuesday, February 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Linksz Pavilion located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown 18940.

“At the free information session, parents and students will learn how to complete federal forms to apply for financial aid at any college or university,” according to Donna Wilkoski, director of financial aid at Bucks.

Wilkoski says, “People look at the form and feel it’s overwhelming the first time they do it. But it’s the best way to find out if you qualify for aid and scholarships, and the earlier you file, the better.”

Commonly called the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form must be filled out annually by college students and their parents to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. In addition, many states and schools use the information on the form to decide upon State Grant awards, and institutional grants and scholarships.

“Bucks holds the information session each February because it’s the time of year that most people gather their income-tax documents, and the FAFSA refers to specific lines on tax-return forms,” Wilkoski explains. In addition, some schools have financial-aid application deadlines in the spring.

At the February 28 forum, representatives from the Financial Aid Office will discuss the types of aid offered through both the Federal government and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The college's financial aid officials will also be available for private consultation. The Foundation Office will also discuss the scholarship opportunities at the college at this forum.

“There’s a wide range of financial aid available. It all depends on a student’s situation,” says Wilkoski. “For instance, everybody can apply for a federal student aid, even those determined in-eligible for federal aid, will be able to borrow through loans. At Bucks, more than one-third of our students receive some sort of aid.”

For more information about Financial Aid Information Night, email the Financial Aid office at finaid@bucks.edu or call 215-968-8200. In case of inclement weather, the program will take place on Tuesday, March 7. For snow closing information, visit www.bucks.edu.