Super Saturday to the Rescue!

Feel like you need superpowers to figure out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Never fear, Super Saturday is here!

SCHEV is once again partnering with the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA) to help college-bound Virginians receive free one-on-one assistance completing the federal financial aid form during a series of Super Saturday events.

Financial aid specialists will help new and returning college students at 65 locations across Virginia over three consecutive Saturdays: January 28, February 4, and February 11, 2012. For a complete list of Super Saturday locations, as well as a list of materials that students must bring to receive assistance filling out the FAFSA, please visit http://www.vasfaa.org/.

And as an added incentive, a $100 Book Scholarship will be awarded to one student at each Super Saturday location. So what are you waiting for? Get to the Super Saturday location near you faster than a speeding bullet!

Is College Too Expensive?

Three in four Americans now say that college is too expensive for most people to afford, according to remarks made by Education Secretary Arne Duncan at a college financial aid worker conference in Nevada this week.

According to the New York Times, Secretary Duncan “urged higher-education officials Tuesday to ‘think more creatively — and with much greater urgency’ about ways to contain costs and reduce student debt.”

However, some critics say the federal government is in no position to affect change, even as college degree attainment becomes increasingly important for Americans. Read the full article here, or let us know your thoughts on how federal agencies can help make higher education more affordable.

Trick or Treat?

Just in time for Halloween, we share some frighteningly real information with you about figuring out the cost of college. More than 7,000 schools nationwide were required to post on their websites by October 29 a net-price calculator to to help current and prospective students, families, and other consumers estimate the net price of attending college. Whether learning the net cost of your dream school is a scary surprise or a neat treat, at least you will have a more accurate idea of which colleges are affordable for you and your family.

To learn more, read this Associated Press article or visit the website of  the Title IV college or university that interests you.