Employees in the financial aid office at Spoon River College will present free workshops at district high schools during October. These workshops are for students, their parents, and any adult learners who are interested in learning more about options for paying for college.
Following an overview of the aid programs available, staff will also assist attendees with filling out and filing the 2022-2023 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
“Filling out the FAFSA is always the first step to take in order to obtain federal and state aid for college, and also to apply for scholarships,” said Jo Branson, financial aid director at Spoon River College. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have it completed accurately and on time.”
FAFSA applications can be filed beginning October 1, using 2020 income tax information, rather than waiting until January 1 or after. The school code for all locations of Spoon River is 001643. This code is needed to complete the FAFSA.
Branson noted that information about other financial assistance programs such as funding for veterans, scholarships, student loans, and payment plans will also be presented, and even those not planning on attending Spoon River College are welcome to attend.
The schedule for the high school visits and FAFSA completion workshops is as follows:
October 5 – College Night – 5:30 – 7PM Canton Campus Cafeteria – Financial Aid Information
October 6 – Farmington High School 5:30 to 6:30PM – Financial Aid Information & FAFSA Completion
October 6 – Lewistown High School 6PM – Financial Aid Information & FAFSA Completion
October 7 – Macomb High School 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Financial Aid Information & FAFSA Completion
October 13 – Havana High School at SRC Havana Center – 2 – 7 PM start times FAFSA Completion
October 13 – Spoon River Valley High School – 6PM – Financial Aid Information & FAFSA Completion
October 14 – Rushville/Industry High School – 6PM – Information Session Only
October 20 – Cuba High School – 6-7PM – Financial Aid Information & FAFSA Completion
October 21 – VIT High School – 4 – 5:30 PM – Information Session & FAFSA Completion
October 21 – Astoria High School – 6PM – Information Session & FAFSA Completion
October 26 – Canton High School – 6 -7:30PM – Information Session & FAFSA Completion
Attendees who wish to fill out the FAFSA should bring students’ Social Security and driver’s license numbers, 2020 W-2’s, 2020 federal income tax return, parent’s 2020 federal income tax return and W-2s (if required), and any additional untaxed income such as veteran’s benefits, child support (paid or received) and worker’s compensation.
SRC staff who will be attending are Branson, financial aid coordinators Charlie Cox and Peggy Roth, and Nikki Rittenhouse, financial aid/veterans specialist. Dillon Austin, representative from ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission), will also be participating in some of the visits.
For more information, visit www.src.edu and click on the Financial Aid link under the Student Services tab or call (309) 649-7030 in Canton or (309) 833-6073 in Macomb.