HESC Colleague NewsletterWinter 2009  

New York State Student Financial Aid Awareness Month

Anne Doyle

January 25, 2010 – February 25, 2010 is Student Financial Aid Awareness Month (SFAAM) 2010 in New York State. Through events and activities statewide, SFAAM will inform and educate students and families about all of the financial aid opportunities available to them, and promote the completion of the most important tool in securing financial aid, the FAFSA.

HESC is excited about the development of a revitalized Student Financial Aid Month and has developed a strong cadre of partners committed to helping students and families achieve FAFSA completion. These include businesses such as Intuit, makers of TurboTax, the State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU), community organizations, such as YMCAs and the CASH Coalition, public and private colleges and universities, high schools and scores of volunteers, many from NYSFAAA.

They will help us tell New Yorkers: START WITH THE FAFSA AND YOU CAN PAY FOR COLLEGE. START HERE TO GET THERE.

A new Web site, StartHereGetThere.org, will provide all of the information needed to complete the FAFSA and will feature:

  • FAFSA Tutorials, Tips & Tools
  • SFAAM Calendar
  • Student Profiles
  • Informative e-Library Articles

In addition, through HESC’s partnership with Intuit, TurboTax computer programs which pre-populate up to 50 percent of the FAFSA data fields will be available on StartHereGetThere.org. TurboTax Online Free Edition will be offered for tax filers using the 1040EZ tax form and a 10 percent discount on other TurboTax products will be available for filers using other forms.

FAFSA completion events will be held at computer-equipped venues throughout the State, complementing the efforts of College Goal Sunday.

The HESC Call Center will feature special FAFSA Assistance Days, every Wednesday, 12 noon – 6pm, with a special toll-free number and e-mail box for FAFSA-related questions.

Other SFAAM 2010 activities and events include:
  • Formal Proclamation by Governor Paterson
  • “Complete the FAFSA” Events at key locations throughout the state, such as branches of the YMCA of Greater New York and the Capital Region
  • Mentoring of students identified as needing guidance and coaching to complete the FAFSA
  • Media campaign featuring SFAAM spokespeople, from HESC and college partners, appearing on local media
  • Information tables set up at some of the state’s largest shopping malls, including the Walden Galleria in Buffalo and the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.

If you would like to participate as an SFAAM volunteer, please contact John Austin at jaustin@HESC.org or 518-473-0810.

In January, check out StartHereGetThere.org for the latest information about SFAAM 2010.