Hailey Sloan

Writer

Marlow High School seniors and their parents were invited to attend a meeting held by MHS counselor Amy Herchock and guest speaker Kirk Rushing, an academic advisor from East Central University, to provide information concerning financial assistant opportunities for senior students interested in attending college.

While local, state and national scholarship opportunities were discussed, the focus of the meeting was to discuss the Free Application for Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA application.

The FAFSA application is an opportunity for the families of students to determine their eligibility for federal financial assistance.

The FAFSA is meant to be completed by students and their families on a yearly basis.

Herchock stressed the importance of completing the FAFSA, as she said it is one of the first steps in determining a financial plan for college.

“Students cannot get a federal or state grant without filling out the application,” said Herchock.  “As of right now, I do not know of any college that doesn’t require you to fill one out, so you need one to go to college.

With college quickly approaching for seniors, FAFSA gives parents and their seniors a sense of financial reassurance during the process.

When asked what advice seniors should take when applying for FAFSA, Herchock’s only words were, “Do it.”

“It is the main route students have to go to determine if there is any free money available to them based on their family’s income,” Herchock explained.

The opening date for FAFSA applications to be submitted began Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Rushing is scheduled to be at Marlow High School on Monday, Oct. 16 to assist students and their parents with the application process.

Seniors must sign up for an appointment time through Mrs. Herchock to complete the application with Rushing.