Adams State continues free help on the FAFSA

Article by Julie Waechter, special assignment for Adams State

All current or prospective college students – regardless of college choice – are welcome to Adams State University’s Financial Aid Fridays. Students and their families can receive FREE assistance in completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid), according to Adams State Director of Financial Aid Zelda Vinson.

She said, “Financial Aid Fridays is open to all students and parents from any school in the state of Colorado, regardless of your college or university of choice. We provide one-on-one assistance through the One Stop Student Services Center every Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition, a live webinar is available from 10 a.m.-noon on both Fridays, as well as Saturdays, beginning October 7.”

Financial Aid Fridays are held at Adams State’s One Stop Student Services, on the first floor of the SUB (Student Union Building), located on First Street in Alamosa. Appointments with a Financial Aid counselor can be made by calling 719-587-7306; walk-ins are also welcome. A Spanish language interpreter will also be available, with the support of Title V at Adams State.

The free, live FAFSA webinars on both Fridays and Saturdays provide information on how to complete the FAFSA and address persistent issues being faced by students, their parents/guardians, and high school and college advisors and counselors. Anyone is invited to attend, no matter where the student will attend (or attends) college.

“We will have breakout rooms available during the webinars for discussion of personal, confidential information,” Vinson added. The webinar can be accessed by visiting adams.edu and clicking on the “Financial Aid Fridays” graphic on the homepage.

Mark Buck, Adams State assistant vice president of enrollment management, said, “We understand how confusing and frustrating completing the college financial aid process can be for students and their parents. Statistics show that students who complete the FAFSA process have a higher probability of actually starting and continuing their college education. That’s where Adams State comes in. Our goal is to simplify things and assist as many college students as possible to complete the FAFSA, regardless of whether they are an Adams State student.” 

All college students, regardless of institution, need to file the FAFSA each year to qualify for scholarships, grants, and other forms of student aid. This includes the Adams State Promise (free tuition and fees for up to four years for qualifying students) and the Grizzly Partner Scholarship for San Luis Valley high school graduates, which provides $2,200 for room and board, or $300 a year for SLV students who commute to campus.

For more information about Financial Aid Fridays or the FAFSA webinars, please contact the Adams State One Stop Student Services at 719-587-7306 or onestop@adams.edu. Access the webinar link, Financial Aid Fridays & Saturdays.