Kickoff Your Superbowl Weekend with Super Saturday!

Virginia’s Super Saturday is an annual event during which college-bound and returning college students are invited to locations near them to receive FREE assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. There are over 20 sites, including high schools, community centers, and colleges. At each location, Super Saturday also includes a free financial aid workshop that explains the federal and state college financial aid process. Additionally, a $100 Book Scholarship will be awarded to one student at each Super Saturday site to be used at the winner’s college of choice during the 2011-12 academic year.

Items to bring to Super Saturday

 For more information and a list of Super Saturday sites, visit www.vasfaa.org. 

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Stay Focused!

During the holiday season, it’s easy to lose focus on your college application responsibilities. It is important that you remain focused and stay organized, so that you don’t miss important application deadlines. By now, most early admission deadlines have passed, but there is still time for you to apply to colleges and universities for regular decision. Regular admission deadlines, to begin school in fall, are in January and early February for most colleges and universities.

Here are some tips from ECMC’s Opportunities booklets that should help keep you on track through December:

• Continue preparing for the FAFSA.
  Even though you cannot submit your submit your FAFSA until January 1, it is never too early to prepare.

 

• Research and apply for scholarships.
  

 

• Finalize portfolios, audition tapes, or writing samples.
  Complete these if they are required for admissions or scholarships.

 

• Follow up with your references.
  Make sure they are finalizing letters or forms that must be submitted to your colleges.

 

• Complete revisions of all applications and essays.
  Review them with a parent, teacher, or school counselor.

 

• Submit all revised, complete admissions and college academic scholarship application materials before the holiday break.
  Keep copies for your file. If you submit your applications online, verify that they were received.

 

For more tips and information about the college application and financial aid process, visit www.ecmc.org/details/opportunities.html.

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Recent News Coverage

A recent article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia will ask the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $58.7 million in undergraduate financial aid over the next two years.  Council members hope this increase will offset the decrease in state support that has resulted in higher tuition, which is especially difficult for students and parents in the current economic climate.

To learn more about SCHEV’s plans, check out the full article at the RTD website.

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