FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 12, 2007
More than 1,000 high school seniors filed their federal financial aid applications electronically for the first time at New York’s College Goal Sunday event held recently at 13 locations throughout the state.
The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), the state agency that helps people pay for college, co-sponsored the local event with the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association. New York College Goal Sunday events were held to help high-need students and families complete their first college financial aid applications.
“The online application makes it easier and faster for New York students to apply for financial aid – opening the door for unlimited college and career opportunities,” said James C. Ross, president of HESC.
“Our innovation makes financial aid more accessible for all New Yorkers to go to college,” Ross added.
HESC’s participation in College Goal Sunday featured its cutting-edge computer process allowing students to seamlessly complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and their state aid form in one Web session. New York is the only state in the nation to offer this combined application service.
Student information contained in the FAFSA is used to pre-fill the online New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application. This seamless procedure simplifies the financial aid process and dramatically reduces errors, which speeds the application process for thousands of New York State students each year. HESC has also significantly cut application printing, mailing and processing costs.
New York State college-bound students and their families are encouraged to visit the HESC Web site
(www.hesc.org) for details about applying for financial aid, completing the FAFSA and other resources, including interactive career, college and scholarship search programs.
HESC is the largest in-state student loan guaranty agency and provides more grant and scholarship money to college students than any other state in the nation.
The state agency guaranteed more than $7 billion in new and consolidated student loans in state fiscal year 2005-06 and provided $865 million through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to nearly 395,000 students in academic year 2005-06.
HESC administers New York’s 529 College Savings Program, a nationally-acclaimed program which boasts more than $6 billion in assets, and also handles more than 25 state and federal grants and scholarships.
HESC also provides training and technical services to financial aid administrators, high school counselors, and lenders.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ronald S. Kermani, HESC’s senior vice president for communications at (518) 473-1264. His home phone number is (518) 456-5160 and beeper is (518) 422-3906. Kermani’s e-mail is rkermani@hesc.org.
