Free financial aid workshops begin Oct. 11 in Lake County
University Center of Lake County is again collaborating with multiple partners across Lake County for a series of financial aid workshops in high schools, colleges, libraries and nonprofit organizations.
Every workshop will be held in a computer lab so that students and families can electronically submit their 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Volunteers trained by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will be available to provide assistance; at least one volunteer at each site will speak Spanish.
The series began on Oct. 1, in keeping with the U.S. Department of Education's new earlier schedule for processing financial aid applications. The FAFSA is required to access any federal student aid and to access the state of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) funds. Many colleges and universities also rely on FAFSA data to determine eligibility for the institution's own financial aid funds. Students seeking financial aid to attend college from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
College-bound high school seniors and their families, current college students, and adults planning a return to school will be welcome to attend any of these sessions (except those marked with an asterisk). It does not matter which college the student plans to attend.
Students should bring the following documents with them: a copy of 2015 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.
2016 Lake County sessions:
*Oct. 11: 6-8 p.m., Zion-Benton Township High School
Oct. 15: 9 a.m.-noon, Waukegan High School-Brookside Campus
*Oct. 18: 6-8 p.m., Zion-Benton Township High School
Oct. 19: 4-8 p.m., Highland Park High School
Oct. 20: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Round Lake High School
Oct. 22: 9 a.m.-noon, College of Lake County-LSC-Waukegan
Oct. 24: 5-8 p.m. SIUC-University Center-Grayslake
Oct. 25: 5-8 p.m., Mundelein High School
Oct. 26: 5-8 p.m., North Chicago Community High School
Oct. 28: 12:30-2:30 p.m., Youth Build of Lake County-North Chicago
Nov. 1: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lake County High School Tech Center-Grayslake
Nov. 2: 6-8 p.m., Round Lake Public Library
*Nov. 3: 6-8 p.m., Zion-Benton Township High School
Nov. 5: 9 a.m.-noon, Waukegan High School-Brookside Campus
Nov. 10: 6-8 p.m., College of Lake County-Grayslake
Nov. 16: 5-8 p.m., North Chicago Community High School
Nov. 22: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Waukegan Public Library
Dec. 7: 5-8 p.m., North Chicago Community High School
Jan. 4, 2017: 6-8 p.m., Round Lake Public Library
Jan. 11, 2017: 6-8 p.m., Zion-Benton Public Library
Jan. 21, 2017: 9 a.m.-noon, Waukegan High School-Brookside Campus
Jan. 27, 2017: 9:30-11:30 a.m., Youth Build of Lake County-North Chicago
*These workshops open only to students/families from that school district. Other workshops are open to the community.
To RSVP for any of these sessions or to download a flier with the dates and locations, visit www.ucenter.org.
The workshops are being sponsored by the University Center of Lake County, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the College of Lake County, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, TRIO Educational Talent Search, YouthBuild Lake County, Lake County Regional Office of Education, Lake County High School Technology Center, Waukegan Public Library, Zion-Benton Public Library, Mundelein High School, Round Lake High School, Waukegan High School, Cristo Rey St. Martin de Porres High School, Zion-Benton Township High School, North Chicago Community High School, and Highland Park High School, with support from North Shore Gas.
For more information, contact C. Myra Gaytan-Morales, assistant dean for Academic Programs & Services, University Center of Lake County, at (847) 665-4108 or mgaytan@ucenter.org or connect with us on Facebook via "Fafsa Campaign."