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American Student Assistance Urges Massachusetts Families to Apply for Financial Aid to Help Pay for CollegePaying for college is daunting, but American Student Assistance®, the local nonprofit that empowers students and families to make better decisions about financing higher education and repaying student loans, wants students and their families to know that free help locating and applying for financial aid is available. Last year, Massachusetts students secured more than $1 billion in grants and low-interest loans from federal and state governments, as well as millions of dollars in scholarships from colleges and universities. Students and their families need to know these resources exist and may need assistance navigating the complex process. ASA® can help applicants through this process with free guidance. "Time is of the essence, and students planning to attend college next fall should begin the financial aid application process now," said Kristi Pierce, ASA's managing director of college planning services. "Students should apply early - as soon after January 1st as possible - and investigate all possible sources of aid." Federal and state governments, along with colleges and universities, are the major sources of financial aid. Students begin the process of applying for both federal and state aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This document is available online at www.fafsa.ed.go. Many private colleges and universities also require a second form, the CSS (News - Alert)/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE®, which is available at www.collegeboard.com. To receive free guidance on identifying sources of financial aid and completing applications, students and families throughout Massachusetts may call ASA's® toll-free information hotline at 1-877-332-4348 or visit one of ASA's College Planning Centers in Boston, Brockton and Chelsea, Mass. For hours of operation, visit www.asa.org/plan. ASA's hotline is made available through a partnership among the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and ASA. ASA College Planning Centers provide one-on-one information and advice on applying for financial aid and other concerns related to college planning. All ASA College Planning Center services are free. For guidance or for information on the Center closest to you, please call 1-877-ED-AID-4U (1-877-332-4348) or visit www.asa.org/plan. About American Student Assistance: American Student Assistance (asa.org) is a private nonprofit dedicated to helping people make better decisions about financing higher education and repaying student loans, so they can become confident, financially competent consumers. After working with millions of student borrowers, American Student Assistance combined 50+ years of knowledge and best practices into a powerful financial education program called SALT® (saltmoney.org). Working with more than 300 higher education institutions, nonprofits, and corporations nationwide, SALT provides the tools and resources students, alumni and families need to help them better understand how to pay for and pay back college costs. © 2016. American Student Assistance. All rights reserved. American Student Assistance, ASA, My Money 101, SALT, Money knowledge for college-and beyond, and corresponding logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Student Assistance.
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