Austin Chamber Offers High School Seniors Chance To See First Lady During SXSW

AUSTIN, TX -- The Austin Chamber has partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama -- scheduled to visit the city next week for a SXSW keynote address -- to offer high school seniors a chance to see her in exchange for filling out their college applications before March 14.

The contest is an outgrowth of the First Lady’s “Reach Higher” initiative that promotes higher education among youth. Eighty students will be selected to see the First Lady in person, two from each high school.

To be eligible, seniors must complete their FAFSA paperwork by this coming Monday. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a form used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price for a student to attend a postsecondary institution.

FAFSA results are used in determining student grants, work study and loan amounts.

The day after that First Lady-imposed deadline is also another key date. March 15 is the statewide deadline for the $700 million TEXAS Grant scholarship.

Mrs. Obama is scheduled to be in Austin on March 16 for SXSW Music to discuss the Let Girls Learn initiative, which aims to break barriers for 62 million girls around the world not currently enrolled in school.

“The SXSW Music Conference brings the global music industry together and offers the perfect platform to celebrate Women’s History Month, as the First Lady provides her call to action to support girls’ education," festival organizers write on their website.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s event is open to all SXSW Music, Film, Gold, and Platinum registrants.

President Barack Obama, meanwhile, is scheduled to present a keynote address Friday during SXSW Interactive. His talk will center on the tactics of civic engagement in society.

The Austin Chamber has a long history of working to promote pathways to higher education. The organization continually works with 13 Central Texas school districts and public charter schools to prioritize the securing of financial aid.

Students hoping for a chance to see the First Lady during her visit must file their FAFSA no later than 5 p.m. CST on the 14th. If selected, students must scan and submit their FAFSA confirmation page to Andrew Feller at afeller@austinchamber.com.

To register for the contest, click here.