Find Us on Facebook
Joanne Razzano
Helping college and high school students with financial aid issues just got a little easier -- HESC recently launched its FacebookŪ page called New York Student Financial Aid, plugging into social media for the first time.
“Facebook was initially launched as a way for college and high school students to interact with each other, and they continue to be one of its largest network groups," said Kathy Crowder, Senior Vice President of Communications at HESC. “Providing college access and financial aid information in this arena adds considerably to our tools that get the resources to finance higher education to those who need it,” she added.
“Facebook is a popular tool for connecting people with those around them,” said Mark Humbert, Director of Financial Aid at the State University of New York College at Oswego, whose office has a Facebook page of its own. “College and high school students spend a great deal of time on Facebook, so it makes sense for HESC to expand its online footprint and engage with students and families directly, making the information they need available to them where they are most likely to find it,” he added.
Current Facebook users can become fans of HESC and join the conversation about getting ready for, going to and graduating from college by searching New York Student Financial Aid. Recent posts have included spotlights on specific New York State scholarships and calendar events. It also included a video clip from the Black Entertainment Network show called 101 and Park. The show recently featured “Be Successful Week,” including a panel discussion about getting financial aid. Future posts will include suggestions for completing the FAFSA, tax tips for college students and families, and reminders about various financial aid issues affecting college students throughout the year.
If your financial aid office has a Facebook page, we encourage you to tag our page as one of your favorites; we’ll be happy to return the favor. Please encourage your students to become fans of New York Student Financial Aid and keep the conversation flowing. If you have questions, comments or other information to share, please contact HESC’s social media community manager, Joanne Razzano at 518-473-0444 or via email at jrazzano@hesc.org.