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NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Kathy Crowder, Sr. VP, Communications Albany, NY 12255 518-402-1448 kcrowder@hesc.ny.gov February 12, 2014
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“Don’t Leave Money on the Table:” HESC and College Goal NY Support First Lady’s Push to Complete the FAFSA |
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College-bound students got special advice from First Lady Michelle Obama about paying for college: “Don’t leave money on the table.” Mrs. Obama, in remarks made at an Alexandria, VA high school hosting a FAFSA completion event, encouraged students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA. “Completing this form is a critical start to completing your education and is the single most important thing you can do for your career,” Obama said. The First Lady noted that filing the form is an important first-step for students who want to attend college, but that too many of them fail to apply for the billions in assistance because they incorrectly believe they can’t afford it. Nationally, more than a million high school seniors don’t complete a FAFSA yet a third of these students would qualify for a Pell Grant of up to $5,645 – that’s money that doesn’t have to be paid back. Mrs. Obama’s message coincides with the core objectives of New York State’s Student Financial Aid Awareness Month, proclaimed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and College Goal NY. Both initiatives provide direct, hands-on assistance to help students and families complete the FAFSA, a critical component of accessing higher education financial aid. College Goal NY and other FAFSA completion events are taking place across New York State. Visit StartHereGetThere.org to find completion events including: 02/22/2014 - 9:00 am SUNY Financial Aid Day 02/22/2014 - 9:00 am SUNY Financial Aid Day 02/22/2014 - 9:00 am SUNY Financial Aid Day 02/22/2014 - 9:00 am SUNY Financial Aid Day College-bound students and families can reach HESC’s financial aid experts by online chat or call the FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-808-1790 Mondays through Thursdays between noon and 5 pm; or email anytime to FAFSAHelp@hesc.ny.gov. 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). About College Goal NY: College Goal NY, a collaborative public service project of the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), is comprised of numerous FAFSA completion events set in targeted areas throughout New York State which have a history of high financial need and submit a disproportionately small number of online applications. College Goal NY is part of a volunteer program, College Goal SundaySM, with a focus on helping low-income, first-generation families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form necessary to qualify for many student aid programs to pay college expenses. College Goal Sunday is owned and managed by USA Funds, which provides grants to support College Goal Sunday events nationwide Editors: for more information, contact Kathy Crowder, Sr. Vice President for Communications at 518-402-1448; kcrowder@hesc.ny.gov |
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