Need money for college? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For students looking to attend college in the fall, the deadline to apply for financial aid is fast approaching. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is expected on March 2.

To increase awareness of the process, our local school districts entered a competition – students were encouraged to create their own 30-second PSA videos on how to apply for financial aid.

“You can receive grants, scholarships, and more! Said a student in his PSA video.

“Because we are creative students, we wanted to create something interactive and interesting for students to actually see,” said Bianka Vasquez, a participating CVUSD student.

“I completed my FAFSA in October … and have already received grants. So it’s something that everyone really has to do, ”added Mia Sugg, a participating PSUSD student.

Fatima Salcedo is a student support specialist with the “One Future Coachella Valley” organization behind the competition. She says that with the financial stress of the pandemic, they expected more families to apply than ever before. However, the number of requests has declined.

“We encourage families to make it a priority and see the value of it,” said Salcedo.

She says completing the FAFSA is essential for all students. They may receive need-based grants in addition to merit-based scholarships, often in the thousands of dollars.

“Remember that the financial aid is not only going to help cover the tuition, it also helped me with my accommodation, my books and my meals,” added Salcedo.

Depending on eligibility, students can receive anywhere from $ 8,000 to $ 12,000 per year to help cover education costs.

You can apply HERE.

For help with the app, contact One Future Coachella Valley.