Special to the Journal

Each year, professionals in the Financial Aid Department at Richmond Community College offer students and their families the opportunity to electronically file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on campus.

This year, FAFSA Day is Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. until noon in the DeWitt Technology Center. There is no charge for this service.

“Several adjacent counties are not offering this service this year, so we expect to be busy,” said Director of Financial Aid Beth McQueen. “Last year we had over 100 students file here, even if they planned to attend college elsewhere. This is a service we offer annually to our community.”

McQueen recommends anyone applying to college file a FAFSA, whether or not he feels he will receive assistance. Many scholarships, which often have late February or March deadlines and require a completed FAFSA before students are considered for an award. Whether a student receives assistance and how much is received is determined by the federal government formula based upon the student’s previous year’s income.

“Over 65 percent of our students receive some form of financial assistance. Many displaced workers are attending through the Trade Adjustment Act and the Workforce Incentive Act funding. Others receive scholarships through our college foundation or through other foundations,” said McQueen.

Applicants must bring 2009 income information such as a copy of their federal tax forms and documentation of any type of untaxed income they have received. Students living with parents or spouses need to bring those documents as well.

The student and at least one parent, if required, should apply for a PIN at the U.S. Department of Education’s website: www.pin.ed.gov prior to the workshop. A PIN is needed to electronically sign a FAFSA form. The PIN will be e-mailed or mailed to applicants based upon their preference.

Advanced registration is required. Contact Marcella McDonald at 410-1730 or register online at www.CFNC.org/fafsaday.