Counseling Corner: Addison Trail Guidance Department to offer FAFSA Parent Information Nights

Effective financial planning involves gaining knowledge about the requirements that determine a student’s financial aid eligibility, and the Addison Trail Guidance Department is here to help students and parents/guardians find that information.

The government form used to determine financial aid is called the FAFSA form, which stands for “Free Application For Federal Student Aid.” The worksheet/form is available in the Guidance Office and online. The form must be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after Jan. 1. After filing the form, each family will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in March that will explain each student’s financial aid package.

To avoid missing important deadlines, you may file the FAFSA form before you send in your tax return by submitting an estimate based on last year’s tax return. Waiting to file your financial aid form until after you file your income tax might cause a student to miss some financial aid deadlines. Also, forms improperly completed or sent with mistakes might disqualify, reduce or delay the SAR.

The Guidance Department will host two FAFSA Parent Information Nights to assist with the process of the FAFSA form. On Jan. 30, Jennifer Prusko from the College of DuPage Financial Aid Office will present a general information session on the FAFSA form. She will return on Feb. 13 to assist parents on an individual basis. Parents will need to have a PIN number and the required tax information for the February session. Both nights begin at 7 p.m.

The Guidance Department also highly encourages senior students to check the Scholarship Bulletin at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=1318 on a weekly basis during second semester.