WJXT Channel 4: Helping students with financial aid

Link to article: https://www.news4jax.com/news/morning-show/helping-students-with-financial-aid

Every year more than $24 billion of financial aid for college goes unclaimed. Students can change that by filling out one form, the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid", or FAFSA. 

Catherine Bekkedal, Supervisor of School Counseling Services at Duval County Public Schools says there are parts of the Financial Aid program that are first-come, first-served.

"Students who lag or wait a little bit may miss out on some of the things that they may qualify for," said Bekkedal.

School officials say now is the perfect time to complete the firm. Students are also encouraged to create an FSA ID ahead of filling out the application, which can make the process easier. 

"Your FSA ID is your electronic signature. Since you're doing the application online, both the student and parent have to have an electronic signature for verifying the information," said Terry Hollingshead, Director of Student Recruitment at FSCJ

This weekend students and parents can get free help completing the form. Two financial aid events are being held Saturday at  FSCJ in Downtown and Yulee from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Several colleges and universities will be giving away thousands of dollars in scholarships!

Make sure to bring your 2016 tax returns, social security number, dates of birth and bank statements.