Plan your FAFSA Completion session now

In our previous entry, we talked about the why of filling out your FAFSA early (i.e. the first week of January).  With this post, we'd like to make some suggestions as to how, when and where to make these plans now, do you can be prepared later.

  

High schools are closed during winter break, yet the need exists. Your church or nonprofit could be a perfect location to complete the FAFSA.

If you are part of a church ministry, or have partnerships with churches, the first Sunday in January could be a GREAT opportunity to host a FAFSA completion event. We have written about that here. (We'll provide an updated entry in a few weeks)

What/who you need for a FAFSA completion session:

• Computers - they can be desktops, laptops, or even tablets
• Internet access, preferably wireless.  While wired internet access is fine for desktops, and laptops with appropriate cables, wireless would be better for devices owned by families (who might want that extra layer of privacy)
• An expert on completing the FAFSA. Do-Gooder consulting can provide such an expert, with even a short Powerpoint presentation to cover common issues and concerns. If we are unavailable, we can coordinate with other experts to help you.

As to the when, here are some dates you might consider planning a FAFSA completion session

• New Year's Day. This is the first day you can fill out the FAFSA for the 2015-2016 school year. While the morning might not be the best time (as people are recovering from New Year's Eve celebrations, the afternoon could work. Most parents have the day off, and could come to your facility.
• The first Saturday after the New Year's. Many families will be available for a session.
• On Sunday afternoon immediately after church, when most members are still in the building
• Any weekday during the first week of January. Some families might work during this week, but some returning student and some working families might have
• Martin Luther King Holiday. While this is a little later than we prefer, as of this writing, you can still beat most deadlines 

Just as a reminder of the importance of this planning, here's the graphic from our previous entry.

We can help you and your organization. We might be able to supervise a FAFSA completion session. If not, we can coordinate a session with experts who can help you during your desired sate. We will then follow-up to make sure the work of your families is completed, and they can receive the maximum financial aid.

Please contact us at Do-Gooder Consulting at 872-222-8008 or web@do-gooder.us to see how we might be able to help.