WVC hosts FAFSA completion nights Jan. 23 and Feb. 5

High school seniors and others planning on taking college courses during the 2013-2014 academic year are encouraged to attend one of two hands-on college financial aid events at Wenatchee Valley College. The events will be held Wed., Jan. 23 and Tues. Feb. 5, from 6-8 p.m. in Wenatchi Hall. Assistance will be offered in both English and Spanish. Activities for young children will be provided.

WVC is one of more than 70 sites hosting an event this year as part of the College Goal Sunday (CGS) Washington program. These events are happening across the state in January and February. Financial aid experts, college professionals, high school staff and community volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide free one-on-one help to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Prospective students need to bring the following to the event:

• 2012 income tax forms, or 2011 tax forms if 2012 forms are not complete, and those of your parents if you are a dependent student
• FAFSA pin, if available (apply for your pin at www.pin.ed.gov or simply apply at the event)
• Social Security NumberDriver's license
• U.S. Resident Card number (if applicable)
• Untaxed income (untaxed social security benefits, TANF benefits, child support received etc.)
• Other financial information (W2's, net worth of real estate property, value of other investments such as stocks and bonds, etc.)

WVC's priority financial aid application deadline is March 1. FAFSA applications can be submitted starting Jan. 1.

In addition to the FAFSA completion activities, college information workshops will be offered for students and families. Applying for scholarships, college preparation timeline information, and post-FAFSA completion steps will be presented by the College Success Foundation.

Students who attend and register on theWashBoard.org - a free, scholarship clearinghouse for Washington students - will be eligible to win a college scholarship from the Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) Center for Student Success, administrator of the CGS Washington program.

CGS is a nationwide program that provides education and information about the availability of financial aid in addition to providing expert assistance in filling out the paperwork required to apply and qualify for that aid. The program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association in 1989 with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education. Originally held on Sundays, these events are now hosted on any day of the week in communities nationwide. These will be the fifth annual CGS events at WVC.

To register to attend or volunteer to assist at the events, visit the CGS Washington web site at www.collegegoalsundaywa.org. Local contacts are Libby Siebens lsiebens@wvc.edu or Faviola Barbosa fcontreras@wvc.edu.