‘FAFSA Friday’ event to guide students through financial aid process

This Friday financial aid experts will help Hoosier high school seniors and other prospective college students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that qualifies students to receive financial aid from colleges, the State of Indiana, the federal government and other sources.   

Learn More Indiana’s FAFSA Friday event—part of the state’s annual ‘Cash for College’ initiative—will stream live online at FafsaFriday.org at noon and 6 p.m. (EST) on Friday, Feb. 15.

“Filing the FAFSA by March 10 is critical step for any Hoosier who plans to attend college next year,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Our FAFSA Friday event will guide students and families step-by-step through the process for filing the FAFSA correctly and on time.”

Financial aid experts Bill Wozniak of ISM College Planning and Heidi Carl from the University of Indianapolis will take students’ and parents’ questions during the two sessions, which will last about an hour and a half each. Wozniak and Carl will also educate families on the most common FAFSA mistakes.

The event will also feature a simultaneous webcast from Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public Policy, an Indianapolis public school. Shortridge seniors will interact with the financial aid experts via Skype. The school will also host special speakers, including Commissioner Teresa Lubbers, during its FAFSA Friday event.

“We’re excited to interact with the FAFSA Friday event in such a meaningful way this year,” said Debra Ward, assistant principal at Shortridge. “Filing the FAFSA is one of the most important things our seniors do to ensure that they will get financial aid , and this is a fun way to educate them about every step of the process.”

Schools, students or families who are not able to participate in FAFSA Friday on Feb. 15 may view a video of the event afterwards at CashforCollegeIndiana.org. The website also provides a calendar of events featuring in-person FAFSA events occurring statewide leading up to Indiana’s March 10 filing deadline. Tips and resources are available for students of all ages—from kindergartners to adults returning to school—about saving, paying for college, and finding scholarships. 

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About Learn More Indiana

Led by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Learn More Indiana is a partnership of state and local organizations working to help students of all ages succeed in school, complete college and connect to careers. In print, in person, online and on the phone, Learn More Indiana helps Hoosiers plan, prepare and pay for education and training beyond high school. Learn more at LearnMoreIndiana.org.