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In
an effort to provide students and parents with information regarding
college applications and financial aid, Oakcrest High School’s
guidance department recently held power-point presentations on
financial aid for seniors in the school’s auditorium and
a workshop for their parents in the senior cafeteria.
During the senior presentations, guidance counselors explained how and when to
apply for the Free Application for Federal and State Aid (FAFSA), along with
how to apply for other scholarship opportunities. The counselors provided students
with information on Jump Start, a program for early class selection at Atlantic
Cape Community College (ACCC). They also discussed the New Jersey Stars program,
which is an opportunity for students who rank in the top twenty percent of their
class to attend ACCC without any tuition fee payment.
Valerie Weller, a financial aid representative
from ACCC, was the guest speaker at the financial aid workshop for
parents. Weller explained specifically how to fill out the FAFSA,
and answered many questions proposed by the parents attending the
workshop.
Those
who participated were pleased with the programs. "The financial
aid presentation strengthened our knowledge on the subject, and in
a way, relieved us during the stressful process of applying to colleges," said
seniors Mackenzie Egan and Nikolai DeMarinis.
This workshop was especially useful to parents, because many were unfamiliar
with the college application process before this point in time. "Ms. Weller
was open to all of our questions," said one parent. "I didn't know
a thing about the FAFSA before this workshop. This was very informative. We
received a lot of hand outs with a lot of information."
For more information, contact:
Darlene A. Kopania, Journalism Department |
