Gogebic Community College to host financial aid assistance event

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — Gogebic Community College will host a college financial aid assistance event on Wednesday as part of the Michigan-wide collaborative “College Goal” program designed to improve access to financial aid.

Volunteers will be in the computer lab on the second floor of the Jacob Solin Center for Business Education from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to assist families in filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is required to obtain financial aid, including grants, loans and many scholarships.

“If you are a student or a parent of a college-bound student, we’d like to assist you in providing the information you need on how to obtain financial aid for college. At College Goal, you can get free on-site professional assistance filling out the... FAFSA form,” said Sue Forbes, director of financial aid for GCC and coordinator of the event, in a press release announcing the program. “We also have a number of great prizes available.”

More than 70 percent of GCC students receive some form of financial aid, according to Forbes, all of which require the completion of FAFSA.

“If a student doesn’t fill out (FAFSA), he or she wouldn’t be considered for financial aid,” said Forbes. “Some people may be intimidated, or scared, or think (the application) is too complicated. Many students are, perhaps, lost in the cracks.”

Forbes hopes that by offering assistance through the event, more of the “lost” students will become eligible for financial aid.

A combined effort by the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Guaranty Agency, the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association and EduGuide, College Goal hopes to increase the number of students in Michigan who pursue education beyond high school and go on to earn post-secondary degrees. More than 950 students received help with FAFSA forms during Michigan College Goal events in 2014, according to the release.

“Applying for financial aid can be a daunting task for many students and their families,” State Superintendent Mike Flanagan said in the release. “MI College Bound events have experts who can guide families through the complex applications and help get the most benefits for students wanting to go to college.”

Attendees are asked to bring:

—A FAFSA PIN. Both students and parents require a personal identification number, for more information or to obtain a pin visit pin.ed.gov.

—The student’s Social Security number.

—Students who are 23 or younger and a dependent must also bring their parent or legal guardian’s Social Security number.

—A driver’s license if applicable.

—Any W-2 forms and 1099 forms, as well as any other records of earned income.

—A 2014 Federal Income Tax Return for both students and parents, as well as a tax return for the spouses of any married students.

—Records of any untaxed income in 2014, such as Social Security, temporary assistance to needy families, welfare or veterans’ benefits.

—2014 bank statements.

—2014 business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records.

—An alien registration card if not a U.S. citizen.

“If a person is 23 years of age or younger, they should bring their parents and their own 2014 income data, federal income tax returns, child support statements, etc. If you are over 24 years of age, bring your 2014 income information. Your income and your parents’ income are absolutely necessary to complete the form,” said Forbes.

The event is also open to Iron County students. For more information call 906-932-4231 ext. 206 or visit micollegegoal.org.