(HARLINGEN) – If you need one-on-one help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) join Texas State Technical College for its Fourth Annual Super Saturday on February 11.
The event will be held at the TSTC Student Support Service building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to any new or current college student needing assistance completing his/her FAFSA or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) no matter what local institution of higher education a student attends or decides to attend: TSTC, Texas Southmost College, South Texas College or the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
“When it comes to financial aid, the earlier a student applies the better,” said Fred Peña, financial aid director at TSTC. “We can award aid earlier and be sure that students are prepared when it comes to paying tuition and other expenses for the upcoming Fall 2017 semester.”
Prior to Super Saturday students and at least one parent need to apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and bring it with them to complete their FAFSA. The FSA is a number used to access personal financial aid information and is used as an electronic signature for Department of Education websites.
Students and parents are also encouraged to come prepared with their completed 2015 tax return with W-2 statements, or if a tax return was not completed, a W-2 with any other income forms such as a 1099.
Peña said Super Saturday also serves undocumented students who are looking to receive financial help for college by providing them and their families with information on TASFA and help completing the forms.
“There is help available for everyone, we don’t want anyone to feel discouraged,” said Peña.
Super Saturday will also include financial literacy workshops, campus tours and a college information fair with instructors and students from TSTC’s programs on hand to provide course information and answer any questions. Veteran Services will also be readily available to help veterans with benefit questions.
Students at the event will also have the opportunity to register to win one of two $250 scholarships being raffled that day. The scholarship can only be used if the student is or will be attending TSTC.
“We are looking to promote change in the time frame students apply for financial aid,” said Peña. “We’re aiming to bring awareness on the benefits of applying early.”
Super Saturday is the combined effort of RGV Focus, an organization committed to uniting communities for education success, and a creating a partnership created between the institutions of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley.
For more information on Super Saturday contact the TSTC Financial Aid office at 956-364-4330.