Are You Ready For College?

Students and Parents

Financial Aid Saturday events provide personal assistance with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Assistance is also provided to help students/families complete other financial aid applications as needed, including the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) and scholarship applications, to help secure financial aid that may be needed to ensure students are able to go to college. Tax preparation services will be provided by Foundation Communities Community Tax Centers at select sites.Services at these events are free and open to the public. Be sure to spread the word to all students and families who may benefit from these services.

Remember, the earlier you apply the better! Submitting your application before March 31 may increase your financial aid opportunities.

Announcements

The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium (HSC) seeks to accomplish one goal: to open the doors to opportunity for Hispanic students through access to higher education. Every year, HSC makes the dream of a higher education possible for deserving students in Central Texas. The organization was founded in the fall of 2004 by Dr. David B. Garcia to facilitate cooperation among Central Texas organizations dedicated to the advancement of Hispanics. The 2009 HSC Scholarship Program deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 22, 2009. All supplemental information must be postmarked by this date. Apply at www.hispanicscholar.org.

Volunteers

Help Increase Austin’s College Enrollment Rate
The Chamber’s education initiatives were established to help increase the number of metro-Austin students enrolling in higher education by 20,010 by the year 2010. One strategy to help ensure students are able to afford college is to provide technical assistance with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at 24 scheduled Financial Aid Saturdays.

For the last two years, the Chamber has recruited and organized more than 300 professionals from local colleges, universities and community based organizations to provide substantial assistance to high school seniors and their parents. Volunteer support is a crucial element to ensure the success of the Chamber’s education initiative.

Last spring, these joint efforts helped approximately 1,350 students and families, business and civic volunteers made 3,000 phone calls to high school seniors and supported 15 Financial Aid Saturday events. We estimate at least 350 volunteers will be needed to adequately inform and support the students and families attending the events.

Please contact Cyndi Contreras, Director of Education & Public Policy at ccontreras@austinchamber.com or 512.322.5644 if you are interested in participating in these rewarding volunteer opportunities.

Corporate Sponsors

Thank you to these corporate sponsors for making Financial Aid Saturdays Events possible.