The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is helping students and families complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, through February with its Start Here, Get There financial aid awareness campaign.

Completing the FAFSA is a critical component of accessing higher education. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student financial aid programs such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and federal work-study. It’s also the basis for determining eligibility for New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants and some other state and college-based scholarships and aid programs.

College-bound students and families can reach HESC’s financial aid experts by online chat daily or call the FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-808-1790 Mondays through Thursdays between noon and 5 pm through February 25; or email anytime to FAFSAHelp@hesc.ny.gov. Free, in-person assistance is available at events across the State.

Students and families can learn more about college financial aid and how to get it at StartHereGetThere.org.

About HESC: HESC is New York State’s student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC’s core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2012-13, HESC helped more than 342,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing more than $979.4 million in grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness benefits, including $931 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

View HESC's Video Press Release: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckl0qd0e6inp2by/FAFSA%20Press%20Release.mp4