Free help with college financial aid forms

High school seniors and enrolled college students have free help on the way as they apply for college financial aid.

The YMCA of Marquette County is hosting Michigan College Goal Sunday on February 9th, a week from this coming Sunday. Trained volunteers will be available that afternoon to help students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

“(The FAFSA) is a necessary form to fill out if you’re going to get money for grants, scholarships or anything like that,” YMCA volunteer coordinator Ben Platt said. “We also have a pretty good support that we can call into if we ever run into situations where we don’t know the answers.”

A Social Security card, federal income tax returns and W-2 tax forms are all needed, along with some other information, but showing up without those things is not a big problem.

“Don’t let that keep you from coming in,” Platt said. “Come on in. We’ll get you started, get you set up and let you know what you need, and then you’ll be able to go back into the computer and get those.”

Bay College in Escanaba, Gogebic Community College in Ironwood and Sault Ste. Marie High School are also hosting the Michigan College Goal program that day.

NMU is holding additional FAFSA workshops at area high schools. Here’s the schedule:

Gwinn — February 4th, 6:30 p.m.

Munising — February 5th, 7 p.m.

Superior Central — February 11th, 7 p.m.

Negaunee — February 24th, 6:30 p.m.

The NMU Financial Aid Office is hosting workshops in the Hedgcock Building on campus every Wednesday night in February from 5 to 7 p.m. as well. Reservations for their workshops aren’t required, but they are recommended, and you can make one by calling them at (906) 227-2327.