FVCC to Offer Assistance Applying for Financial Aid

Flathead Valley Community College will host a free workshop to help college-bound students and their families complete the necessary forms to apply for federal financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Sponsored by Reach Higher College Goal Montana, the workshop will take place November 7 from noon to 6 p.m. in room 120 of the Broussard Center on the Kalispell campus. Appointments are not required.

"About $150 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds is available each year, and that doesn't include the state and institutional aid that is out there," said Rhonda Safford, Reach Higher College Goal Montana statewide coordinator. "Financial aid professionals in Montana will tell you that the return on the investment of taking half an hour or 45 minutes to complete the FAFSA is worth it."

In order to complete the FAFSA, students and their families who attend the workshop will need to provide the following information: Federal Student Aid identification numbers, which can be obtained at fsaid.ed.gov (students and at least one parent will need identification numbers if the student is under the age of 24); Social Security numbers (for students and parents); 2015 federal income tax returns; W-2 forms, tribal income or other aid information such as TANF, child support or other benefits; and additional asset information including money market funds, stocks and other investments.

The priority FAFSA filing date for Montana schools is December 1, with the exception of the University of Montana and Missoula College, which have a priority filing date of November 15. Students attending out-of-state schools should contact the school directly for priority dates.

For FAFSA tips and reminders, text "FAFSAHelp" to 41411. For more information about this event, contact Cindy Kiefer at (406)756-3843.