Counseling Corner: Addison Trail Guidance Department offers programs to help students prepare for successful futures

The Addison Trail Guidance Department is committed to providing opportunities to help students prepare for successful futures, and the department recently hosted several events and has several others planned to help accomplish that goal.

On Dec. 4, Guidance Counselor John Cord took 20 students who are interested in culinary arts and hospitality on a visit to College of DuPage to tour the facilities, including the new hotel on campus. Students were able to test their culinary skills in the kitchen by making pizzas, and they participated in an informational session hosted by one of the college’s hospitality instructors.

On Dec. 14, counselors visited eighth-graders at Indian Trail Junior High School to speak with them about life at Addison Trail and the process that will take place in February for them to select classes for their freshman year.

In January and February, the department will host FAFSA Financial Aid Nights for parents. Effective financial planning for postsecondary education requires knowledge of the process that determines a student’s financial-aid eligibility. The government form used to determine financial aid is called the FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. After filing the form, each family will receive a Student Aid Report in March, which 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. One thing to keep in mind is waiting to file your financial aid form until after you file your tax return might cause a student to miss some financial aid deadlines. Also, forms improperly completed or sent in with mistakes might disqualify, reduce or delay the Student Aid Report. You must apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

On Jan. 7, 2016, Jennifer Prusko from College of DuPage’s Financial Aid Department will present a general information session on the FAFSA. She will go line by line through the form. She will return (along with Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) representatives) on Feb. 4, 2016, 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 events will begin at 7 p.m. at Addison Trail.

There also will be a Spanish FAFSA Financial Aid Night for Spanish-speaking parents on Jan. 19, 2016, during the Padres Latinos en Acción meeting, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. A representative from ISAC will attend that meeting as well.

For questions or more information, call the Addison Trail Guidance Department at 630-628-3324.