Bilingual assistance available to college students in Lake County
College applicants and their parents can get bilingual assistance to complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid at sessions across Lake County this winter. All sessions are scheduled in computer labs that enable the students to submit the application electronically upon completion.
The FAFSA must be completed by all students who wish to access federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities also require it in order to receive institutional aid. Students seeking Illinois Monetary Assistance Program awards are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.
For the sixth consecutive year, a group of Lake County organizations have worked together to recruit volunteers, obtain training from Illinois Student Assistance Commission staff and schedule a series of workshops, each of which will have at least one Spanish-speaking volunteer.
All college-bound high school seniors and their parents, prospective adult students and current college students are invited to attend one of the following free sessions:
Ÿ Tuesday, Jan. 22: Cristo Ray Saint Martin De Porres High School, 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Ÿ Wednesday, Jan. 23: Waukegan High School (both Campuses), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ÿ Saturday, Jan. 26: Cristo Rey Saint Martin De Porres High School, 9-11 a.m.
Ÿ Wednesday, Jan. 30: NEIU/University Center (Grayslake), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ÿ Tuesday, Feb. 5: Mundelein High School, 6-8 p.m.
Ÿ Saturday, Feb. 9: Highland Park High School, 9 a.m. to noon
Ÿ Sunday, Feb. 10: Waukegan Public Library, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Ÿ Tuesday, Feb. 12: College of Lake County (Grayslake), 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Ÿ Sunday, Feb. 17: Waukegan Public Library, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Ÿ Wednesday, Feb. 20: Waukegan High School (both campuses), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ÿ Saturday, Feb. 23, College of Lake County (Grayslake), 9-11 a.m.
Ÿ Thursday, Feb. 28, College of Lake County (Southlake), 6-8 p.m.
Ÿ Saturday, March 2, College of Lake County (Lakeshore), 9-11 a.m.
Ÿ Wednesday, March 6, Waukegan High School (both campuses), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Additional sessions are scheduled at some high schools that are open only to students attending school at that location. Register for any of these sessions by visiting www.ucenter.org, where you can also find a list of the high school sessions open only to the students of those schools. The student’s college choice is no barrier at any FAFSA session; students applying to any college or university are welcome to attend.
Students should bring the following documents with them: a copy of 2012 Federal Tax information (parent and student 1040EZ, 1040A or 1040 and all W2 forms), recent bank statements, the student’s driver’s license and Social Security card or Student Alien Registration card if the student is not a U.S. citizen. If tax forms have not been completed yet, bring W-2 forms and final paycheck stubs for 2012. Financial aid information is also available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or at www.collegezone.com.
For more information about the FAFSA completion sessions, contact Assistant Dean Myra Gaytan-Morales at the University Center of Lake County at These FAFSA completion sessions are being hosted by College of Lake County, Highland Park High School, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Mundelein High School, North Chicago High School, Northeastern Illinois University, Round Lake High School, St. Martin de Porres High School, University Center of Lake County, Waukegan High School, Waukegan Public Library and Zion-Benton Township High School. This series is being offered with the support of the Coalición Latinos Unidos de Lake County, Illinois College Advising Corps, North Shore Gas and TRiO Educational Talent Search.">mgaytan@ucenter.org