HARRISBURG PA – Families with children preparing to attend college in the coming year can take advantage of two free hour-long virtual seminars about finding financial aid for higher education.
The webinars, on Sept. 14 and 28, are being hosted by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Advance online registration is required.
Both precede the anticipated Oct. 1 release of the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The agency encourages students and their families “complete and submit it as soon as possible.” They can already test a working version of the form to become more familiar with information it requests.
Photo by Ahmet Kurt on Unsplash+, used under license
Two Seminars, Two Different Topics
Scheduled virtually are seminars on:
- Sept. 14 (Monday), from 6-7 p.m. (Eastern Time), on “Searching for Scholarships.” The agency provide this description: “The cost of a post-secondary education can add up quickly for students and families. Thankfully, there is funding to help cover those expenses.”
“Join us as we share tips to help students successfully search for and apply for scholarships. After attending this webinar, students will understand the different types of scholarships, resources for finding scholarships, and tools to help increase their chances of earning scholarships;” and
- Sept. 28 (Monday), also from 6-7 p.m. (Eastern Time), on “Get Ready to File the FAFSA.” Of it, the agency says “Join us for our Get Ready to File the FAFSA webinar. Learn key steps you can take now to prepare for filing the 2027–28 FAFSA.”
“We’ll discuss who needs and how to get a https://StudentAid.gov account, share practical tips to make the application process easier, and review important deadlines and requirements for federal and state financial aid programs. This session will help students and families feel informed and confident as they get ready to file.”
College Scholarships = Gift Aid
The agency suggests students “exhaust every possibility of gift aid before turning to borrowing to afford the cost of college. The best opportunity for gift aid is scholarships,” it adds.
“While some scholarship money is awarded based upon merit, there are (many other) scholarships offered with a wide variety of eligibility requirements and varying deadlines.
Our local news reporting includes articles about public, private, home-school, non-profit, and organizational education institutions and issues within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more education articles here.
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