Several parents, guardians and students were on hand last night for Financial Aid Night at FCTS to gather important information about applying for college financial assistance.
Sponsored by the school’s Guidance Department, guest speaker Ryan Forsythe, Vice President of Enrollment at Worcester State University, expertly explained the financial aid application process and what resources are available for funding.
For 90 minutes, Forsythe explained the ins and outs of applying for college funding, including the types and sources of financial aid, the application process, how financial aid decisions are made, how to pay for college, and free resources that will help when researching financial aid.
Forsythe said that the average college student debt upon graduation is $32,500 which surprised many in the audience at how low that number is. He pointed out that there are a number of options for financial aid, including government and private loans, grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
Forsythe explained the process of filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which needs to be done in order to become eligible for federal financial aid. Information and application can be found at www.studentaid.gov.
The Massachusetts Financial Aid Authority (MEFA) is another terrific source of information about paying for college. www.mefa.org.
There is also a wealth of information about choosing and applying for college, including financial aid options on the FCTS Guidance Department page at www.FCTS.US.
Shaun Beckwith, 16, a junior from Shelburne said he was glad he came to the event.
"There was a lot to take in, but there was a lot of information that I'll be able to use in the future," he said.
Eric and Sandra Gradoia of Northfield were at the meeting on behalf of their two children, 11th grader Elias and 10th grader Ren.
"This was very informative," Eric said. "It's very helpful as a way to understand the whole process, which can be complicated. It was good background information to help demystify the process."