“Start Here, Get There” Campaign Gearing up for 2011
Teri Gehrer and Anne Doyle
| “We thank our sponsors for helping make the 2010 Start Here, Get There campaign a success, especially members of NYSFAAA, CUNY and cIcu, and look forward to working with them to help more students and parents learn about financial aid and the FAFSA.” – HESC Acting President Elsa Magee |
New York’s 2010 Student Financial Aid Awareness Month campaign, “Start Here, Get There,” which ran from Jan. 25 through Feb. 25, successfully spread the message to students throughout the State that college aid is available, and promoted the completion of the most important tool in securing that aid, the FAFSA.
A vibrant new Web site was launched by HESC, StartHereGetThere.org, that included college and financial aid planning guidance, fun and informative videos, helpful tips and tools, a step-by-step tutorial for completing the FAFSA, as well as a wealth of information about federal, state and college-sponsored aid.
More than 700 students and families participated in 35 events throughout the State, including “Financial Aid Information Days” at local shopping malls, “Financial Aid Basics” seminars, and “Complete the FAFSA Workshops” at schools and community centers, all made possible by 105 volunteers from HESC and college financial aid offices.
Spokespeople from HESC and colleges around the State were featured on radio and television news and public affairs shows, providing interviews about the “Start Here, Get There” campaign and promoting the month’s events.
Plans to make the “Start Here, Get There 2011” campaign an even bigger success have already begun.
HESC will be pursuing enhanced and expanded partnerships with NYSFAAA, College Goal Sunday and the Guidance Counselor associations, as well as CUNY staff and other community groups and agencies, such as the Department of Labor and the Office of Children and Family Services.
In response to many requests, the 2011 campaign will include events and activities geared toward sophomores and juniors in high school.
HESC staff will conduct a kickoff meeting in September with volunteer organizations to coordinate our efforts, propose sites and events by region, and establish coordination roles.
Colleagues interested in participating in the “Start Here, Get There 2011” campaign can call Terri Gehrer at 518-402-6429 or email at tgehrer@hesc.org.