MARIETTA, OHIO—Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is hosting a workshop to offer assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The workshops will be held on campus on November 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, regardless of where a student plan to attend college.
“Our FAFSA workshop is just one of the many ways Washington State supports our community,” said WSCO’s Assistant Director of Financial Aid Maddie Galloway. “It doesn’t matter where a person plans to enroll, we can help them file.” She also added that the college is a great resource for providing information related to federal grants & loans, scholarships, state benefits, and what to expect after the FAFSA has been filed.
During the workshops, representatives from WSCO’s financial aid department will offer guidance to students and families as they complete the student aid application. The FAFSA is used by all two- and four-year colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal and state grants, work-study programs, subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, and some scholarships.
“The FAFSA can typically be completed in less than 45 minutes; however, many people find it to be an intimidating form. Our goal is to take the stress out of the process by providing one-on-one assistance,” explained Galloway.
She went on to explain the importance of filing the FAFSA regardless of whether a person believes he/she is qualified. She said it is often required by many academic scholarship applications and is mandatory for student loans through the Department of Education.
Galloway also encouraged early submission. “Some people many may consider it unnecessary to file nearly a year in advance, but we highly recommend getting the application submitted as soon as possible because some funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.”
The Federal government released the 2023-2024 FAFSA on Oct. 1, and will be used for students who plan to enroll in college next fall, and at some institutions, including WSCO, will be used toward summer 2023 enrollment.
The workshop will be held on the second floor of the business wing located in the main building, rooms B204 and B205. To register for the event call 740-568-1908 or visit wscc.edu/FAFSAworkshop.
Applicants will need to have their social security number or alien registration number (if not a U.S. citizen), driver’s license, 2021 federal tax return, W-2s, and other records of money earned, know their balance of cash, savings and checking accounts, records of investments and any untaxed income (if applicable), access to their personal email account, and their FSA ID and password, if one has already been created. Additionally, a dependent student will need a parent to complete the parent section of the FAFSA with the above information and should have the above items with them.
