BOISE, Idaho — As recent high-school graduates enjoy their summer vacation, some may be wondering what is next for them.
The Idaho State Board of Education (ISBE) announced it would offer free one-on-one assistance to college hopefuls filing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms as they pursue funding for higher education.
ISBE said in a Tuesday news release that select locations across the state will offer "Office Hours" where students and parents can walk in and receive free help filing their FAFSA. The office will also provide free snacks and drinks to make the process more comfortable and students can win a $25 gas card.
According to the board, the newly founded program was funded by a grant provided by the ECMC Foundation. It was in response to federal changes to FAFSA, which" [intended] to make it easier to complete but instead, there have been ongoing problems for students across Idaho and the country in completing the task."
ISBE said the grant provided funding for hiring school counselors and career advisors for the summer.
"By completing the FAFSA, students may be eligible for nearly $7,400 in federal Pell Grants, which is free money to help pay for their post-high school training or education. That is enough to cover the cost of first-year tuition at Idaho's community colleges and numerous local trade schools, and at least 80 percent of tuition at Idaho's public universities," said Jenni Kimball, the board's college and career program manager.
Select locations will also have Spanish-speaking advisors, ISBE said. All students are urged to complete their FAFSA applications before July 30.
For a list of participating locations and office hours, visit the Next Steps Idaho website here.
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