Southwestern hosts College Goal Oregon event

Filling out federal financial aid forms can be a daunting task but help will be available at Southwestern Oregon Community College locations in Coos and Curry counties – as well as 14 other community college and university sites around the state – in January.

Oregon will kick off College Goal Oregon, the first coordinated statewide effort to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – the required application for most need-based federal, state and campus-based financial aid – from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20. A team of trained volunteers, including financial aid professionals from colleges all over Oregon, will provide assistance and support. In Coos Bay, the session is scheduled at Tioga Hall on the Southwestern campus with another session planned at the Southwestern Brookings Center.

Southwestern is expecting a Spanish interpreter to be available for the session, where qualified volunteers will help students fill out the worksheet, submit the FAFSA online and receive confirmation. Scholarship “Search, Apply and Compete” presentations also will be available at every location, along with drawings for $500 scholarships and USB flash drives.

Participating students will need to bring a parent or guardian; a most recent completed federal tax return if possible; current tax information (2006 W2) or the most recent pay stub; current value of assets including cash, checking, savings, investments and business or farm holdings; social security numbers of student and parents; a driver’s license if possible; an alien registration card for those who aren’t United States citizens; and any questions about financial aid.

For more information, those interested can call Diana Plum at 888-7309.

Press Release Date: January 12, 2007