Holbrook High financial aid information night Dec. 11
Advisors will explain Free Application for Federal Student Aid application process

HOLBROOK, Ariz. - The annual Financial Aid Information Night at Holbrook High School (HHS) will be Dec. 11 beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school library. All juniors, seniors and their parents or guardians are invited to attend.

In December, college and technical school bound students need to begin organizing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. FASFA is open for applications beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Students and parents need to gather information together to be prepared. Holbrook High School is offering information to help families prepare.

The FAFSA format has changed considerably from past years and has been simplified. One major change is that forms must be completed online. The student and the parent must each receive a password to access the personal data. The same password will be used every year a FAFSA is filed.

At first glance, the online application may seem overwhelming for parents and students. It requires parents and students to provide social security numbers, driver's license numbers, W-2 form information and records of other earned income, tax records, bank statements, mortgage information and investment records.

Many parents feel as though their income is too high, so why bother with the FAFSA? But they have to file the application to find out.

Those who apply early have a greater chance to receive funds. Early February is a recommended, arbitrary deadline for submitting the information to get that early entry jump-start. Unfortunately, this also means that parents need to complete 2012 tax information, or at least estimate their income, much earlier than April 15.

At the workshop, financial aid advisors will give participants FAFSA application information and will go through a step-by-step approach for completion. When completed, the form can be sent directly or applicants can go online at www.fafsa.gov to fill out the required information. By completing the form on the Internet, the student gets results usually within two weeks. The student will first receive a form of responses to review and make any necessary corrections.

Time will be available at the FAFSA workshop for additional questions. If a student and parent want to meet individually with a presenter, arrangements can also be made at that time for a future appointment.

Cindy L. Percy, HHS senior counselor, and Mary Candelaria, HHS registrar will conduct the workshop. More information about the HHS financial aid workshop is available from Percy at the high school at (928) 524-2815.

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