HANCOCK - College is an expensive endeavor, and most people need financial assistance to take it on. Helping students get through the paperwork is the purpose of three instructional sessions this month.
Three Free Application for Federal Student Aid Completion Events will be conducted as part of a national event called College Goal Sunday on Feb. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Finlandia University Jutila Center in Hancock, Feb. 15 at Calumet High School and Lake Linden-Hubbell High School (Check with school counselors for times), and Feb. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Baraga High School.
The FAFSA Completion Events are organized by Keweenaw Compass and Keweenaw College Access Network (KCAN!), and Joe Zerbst, KCAN! coordinator and director of Upward Bound, said although Finlandia University and Michigan Technological University have offered FAFSA completion instructions to potential students for years, this is the first time instruction is being offered at various locations with volunteers from local colleges and universities.
"We saw a need to put events in the area," he said. "Everybody's willing to help."
Zerbst said the completion events were funded through grants.
Kevin Korte, Mentor Michigan AmeriCorps Service member and Keweenaw Compass coordinator, said the completion events are intended as a way to help students and parents complete what might seem an intimidating form.
"It's just a lack of knowledge for many families," he said.
Zerbst said the FAFSA Completion Events aren't just for high school students. Anyone who wants to go to a post-secondary institution, whether it's for a certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree can attend.
"We're more than willing to help non-traditional students," he said. "We can point them in the right direction."
Documentation to bring includes completed tax forms, or if that's not possible, W-2 forms should be brought, Zerbst said.
"Even if you haven't had your taxes completed, you can still use the FAFSA form," he said.
An identification number should be obtained from the federal government, also, Zerbst said.
"Parents and students should go online for a PIN (personal identification number)," he said.
Those numbers can be obtained at pin.ed.gov.
The FAFSA process can usually be completed at the events, Zerbst said, but how long it will take depends on the applicant. The range is 20 minutes to two hours.
"It realistically depends on how complicated the parents' taxes are," he said.
For more information about the local FAFSA Completion Events, go online to info@keweenawcompass.org, or call Kevin Korte at 487-7264.