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Greetings,
This month, I'd like to share some information with you that I hope you and your students will find useful. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education released a tool called the FAFSA4caster to assist high school juniors and their families with planning for education beyond high school.
The FAFSA4caster gives these students and their families a head start on planning for college costs. During the last semester of their senior year, students must complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for financial aid. Using the FAFSA4caster, which is based on the FAFSA, students receive an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students also receive guidance with applying for college admission, applying for federal student financial aid, and paying for education after high school.
The FAFSA4caster is an effort to make students aware of their eligibility earlier so they can plan funding for their higher education sooner. Along with instantly calculating an estimated EFC, the FAFSA4caster tells students if they are eligible for Pell grants. Also, because it follows the same format as the FAFSA, it helps students understand the financial aid process and saves them time when they need to complete the FAFSA as seniors. A Spanish version is available, too. Best of all, the FAFSA4caster is free!
Students and families can use the FAFSA4caster by visiting www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov. More information about the FAFSA4caster and financial aid can be found by visiting www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.
The FAFSA4caster is a great way to help students and families prepare for higher education before their senior year. If more students are aware of the financial assistance available to them, it's likely to open more doors to successful futures.
Until next time, have a great month!
La Toya Sykes, Director
Outreach and Access Awareness
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