MCC-Maple Woods Spotlight: Graduation Fair

MCC-Maple Woods Spotlight: Roving Reporter and the FAFSA Challenge

Scholarships to be awarded through FAFSA Frenzy events

Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who come to “FAFSA Frenzy” events to participate and enter the drawing. Metropolitan Community College-Blue River will be hosting two “FAFSA Frenzy” events the weekend of Friday, March 25th and Saturday, March 26th, 2011.

You may be familiar with the FAFSA application. It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it’s one of the first steps any college student should take toward obtaining financial assistance to fund their higher education. All colleges and universities consider the FAFSA when determining who should be awarded need-based financial aid. The Missouri Department of Higher Education urges students to complete their FAFSA as early as possible and most certainly before April 1st to receive timely consideration.

Participants are asked to bring these items to the “FAFSA Frenzy” at MCC-Blue River:
· 2010 W-2 forms
· Copies of 2010 tax forms, if they are ready, or any year-end pay stubs, statements of interest earned in 2010, 2009 tax forms, 1099 forms, and any other forms required to complete taxes
· Student PIN and parent PIN. These can be obtained at http://www.pin.ed.gov/

Students who attend a “FAFSA Frenzy” event will be entered into a drawing to win one of four $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to four attendees who participate in one of the many FAFSA Frenzy events that are being held this winter at several locations across Missouri. All students receive gift bags with helpful information for planning and paying for college.

“FAFSA Frenzy” at MCC-Blue River, Friday, March 25, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Scholarship and Financial Aid deadlines are almost here!

April 1, 2011, is MCC's and Missouri's deadline for financial aid and scholarships. Students: fill out your FAFSA and apply! Faculty and Staff: encourage your students to get to the Financial Aid office!

MCC-Maple Woods' Financial Aid office is dedicating every Friday in March to helping students fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is mandatory for all students who wish to receive any kind of financial assistance for upcoming semesters. FAFSA Fridays are held on a first come-first served basis and the are FREE!

FAFSA Fridays - Financial Aid forms made easy!

The MCC-Maple Woods Financial Aid office will be hosting FAFSA Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. every Friday in March. That means students can walk in and get help with the federal financial aid paperwork required for scholarships, grants and student loans.

Take advantage of the free help! Students, please bring the following things with you to expedite the process:

• Social Security Number and date of birth for your parents, if you are listed as a dependent
• Your driver's license number
• Your Alien Registration Card if you are not a US citizen
• 2010 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms for yourself, for your spouse if you are married and for your parents if you are a dependent
• Month and year your parents were married, separated, divorced or widowed
• Statement of any additional benefits received

For more information, call the financial aid office at 816.604.3066. First come - first served!

MCC-Maple Woods offers aid for FAFSA filers at FAFSA Frenzy

Applying for financial aid can be complex and confusing for students and parents alike, but Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods aims to take some of the stress out of the process. MCC-Maple Woods will be hosting FAFSA Frenzy as part of a statewide initiative to simplify the financial aid application process. The event, which will be held from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 13 in the MCC-Maple Woods Student Center, is free and open to the public and does not require registration. In case of inclement weather, FAFSA Frenzy will be held Feb. 20 at the same time and location.

Robin Stimac, financial aid manager at MCC-Maple Woods, said FAFSA Frenzy is designed to assist students and their parents in filling out “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) forms. FAFSA forms are used by colleges and the federal government to determine how much financial assistance the student is eligible for in the form of loans, grants and scholarships.

To sweeten the deal, four $1,000 scholarships will be given to students attending the event statewide. Winners will receive their scholarships upon receipt of enrollment verification for the 2011 fall semester at a Missouri postsecondary institution.

Participants who bring a copy of their 2010 federal income tax returns will be able to complete the FAFSA application onsite. Those who haven't filed 2010 tax returns yet will receive information to complete the FAFSA at home. Parents and students may also visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and print off a worksheet to be filled in with all the necessary information.