EUGENE, OR - Free drop-in labs to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be held for 4J School District high school seniors and their families from January 9 to16 at Churchill, North Eugene, South Eugene, and Sheldon high schools.
The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal financial aid and is the gateway to additional grants and scholarships at public and private college and career training institutions. The deadline to complete the form is Jan. 31.
Key studies have shown that FAFSA completion correlates strongly with college enrollment, particularly among low-income populations.
Eugene School District 4J is participating in the National FAFSA Completion Pilot Project, in partnership with Lane Community College, University of Oregon, Northwest Christian University, and the Oregon Student Access Commission. The project was launched by the U.S. Department of Education to help schools identify which students had completed the FAFSA. North Eugene and Sheldon were randomly selected to serve as pilot schools and will receive additional services and data.
"Education is the only route to economic prosperity for both our students and the city of Eugene," says Donna Somerville, College and Career Readiness Administrator at 4J. "We are thrilled to be participating in the FAFSA Completion Pilot Project and are grateful to our post-secondary partners for their dedication to making an impact on the lives of students."
Counselors and financial aid experts will sit down with students and parents and help them complete the FAFSA in the labs. The labs will be held as follows:
- Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2:45-5:00 p.m., North Eugene High School
- Friday, Jan. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., North Eugene High School
- Thursday, Jan. 10, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Sheldon High School
- Thursday, Jan. 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Sheldon High School
- Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Churchill High School
- Wednesday, Jan. 16, 3-5 p.m., Churchill High School
- Thursday, Jan. 17, 2:30-4:30 p.m., South Eugene High School
- Thursday Jan. 17, 7:00-9:00 p.m., South Eugene High School
The labs are intended to help more local high school seniors get into college and to help meet Oregon's 40-40-20 educational goals.
Upcoming financial aid application deadlines include:
- Priority FAFSA Deadline - January 31
- Oregon Opportunity Grant - February 1
- UO Pathway Oregon - February 15
- OSAC Early bird deadline - February 15
- Regular OSAC deadline - March 1
- LCC Foundation Scholarships - March 15
- Oregon Schools - March 31
- Federal deadline is June 30 with corrections due September 23
Early in 2012, The Oregonian reported that only six in 10 Oregon high school graduates go on to college.
"We want improvement," says Somerville.
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For more information contact Donna Somerville, College and Career Readiness Administrator, Eugene School District 4J, (541) 790-7581