2013 FAFSA Filing Days Yield $10.3 Million in Federal and State Grants
"The National Center for College Costs introduced this service four years ago for Grant County families and it is changing the way people view financial aid. A genuine fear of the financial aid process is being diminished through hands-on computer labs. One-on-one consultations with students and families deliver a customized approach that delivers what every student wants and needs to know-- what their out-of-pocket expenses will be for college. The NCCC is the up-to-date industry expert you always want at the table. We always set a place for them." --Tammy Pearson, Project Leadership Director, Grant County, IN
Staff from The National Center for College Costs (NCCC) held FAFSA days in February, 2013 at 50 sites in Indiana (and two in Ohio) to help students and parents file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to beat Indiana's March 10 state filing deadline. Helpful to families intimidated by the process and others who had questions, the NCCC staff were also able to immediately interpret the results for each student's FAFSA. Families know instantly which colleges are apt to work best financially...and which ones may not work out so well.
This year, in all, 1813 Indiana students were eligible for $10,273,465 new federal and state grant dollars as a result of the investment made by sponsors, foundations, high schools, college and university staff, and many community volunteers. During the FAFSA days, 1419 families were eligible for $7,819,984 in federal and state grant dollars that will help make their college dreams a reality. Based on the average student grant award, we estimated the 394 students who started their FAFSA that day (and went home to complete it) would be eligible for another $2.5 (2,453,481) million in grants. We were especially pleased that 36% of the students with a completed FAFSA had an Expected Family Contribution of zero (making them eligible for full federal and state grants). Furthermore, 25% of the students we worked with are Twenty-first Century Scholars.
In Ohio, 151 students were eligible for federal grants of ½ million dollars ($503,224). 119 Ohio students were eligible for $391,712 in federal dollars during the FAFSA Days. Based on the average student grant award, we estimated the 32 students who started their FAFSA that day (and went home to complete it) would be eligible for another $111,512 in grants. We were especially pleased that 45% of the Ohio students with a completed FAFSA had an Expected Family Contribution of zero (making them eligible for full federal and state grants).
"After I completed the FAFSA for each of my three seniors, I completed one for myself. If I don't invest in my kids, who will? This is an investment in their future. They talk about human capital. I feel like I've increased the capital in my little part of the world." --Mother of Grant County students
Contact the National Center for College Costs today if you'd like to hear how you or your organization can assist in providing our services to students, parents, and educators in your community.