Central IL community colleges host FAFSA help as deadline looms

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Community colleges are helping out students complete their FAFSA and the rest of their financial aid paperwork before the semester starts.

The U.S. Department of Education reformed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application last year, allowing students and families to submit the forms as early as December 31.

Now with all the changes to the form, Central Illinois community colleges are making sure everyone has completed all the paperwork associated with their financial aid packages, including holding several events for incoming, returning and prospective students.

Parkland Community College

Parkland College is holding their FAFSA Completion Event on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. during their Enrollment Express period.

For Enrollment Express, Parkland will have counselors available to help potential students with enrollment and registration in the second floor of the U-wing and financial aid workers in the Student Union available for students and families with questions. Reservations can be made on the Parkland website.

Richland Community College

For Richland Community College in Decatur, students can walk in to the financial office on Mondays through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an additional availability at 5-7 p.m. on July 31. Appointments can also be made on Richland’s financial aid website.

Any questions about financial aid can be emailed to financialaid@richland.edu. The payment due date for the fall semester is August 7.

Danville Community College

Danville Area Community College is holding free FAFSA workshops every Friday in August. The workshops will be held in Lincoln Hall Lab 204 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Officials stress that FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible to maximize the financial aid a student gets. The application to the FAFSA can be found here.

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