Federal Student Aid Applications Available at Senator McIlhinney's Offices

HARRISBURG – The 2007-08 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available at the district offices of Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks/Montgomery Counties).

Students planning to enroll in baccalaureate degree programs, hospital schools of nursing, two-year transferable programs at community colleges, or business, trade and technical schools must file the FAFSA to be eligible for almost any type of federal, state or institutional student aid. The FAFSA is the only form that students must file to be eligible for a Pennsylvania State Grant for the 2007-08 school year.

"There are a vast number of programs devoted to helping young people afford a college education," McIlhinney said. "The FAFSA serves as a gateway to a number of these valuable loan and grant programs, so I would strongly urge students to submit an application at their earliest convenience."

McIlhinney said that students who filed 2006-07 applications will automatically receive renewal forms from the U.S. Department of Education. Students who took the SAT or ACT test during their junior year in high school will also automatically receive an application booklet.

Students also have the option of downloading applications online at www.educationplanner.org or www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students can complete their entire application online, making the application process quicker and more convenient for many students.

Students who are interested in completing an application online must visit the website to request a PIN number for added security. Since PIN numbers are mailed to the student, McIlhinney urges students who choose this option to request a PIN at least a few weeks before the May 1, 2007 filing deadline.

More information on financial aid programs for students is available at McIlhinney's district offices, located at 22 South Main Street, Suite 220 in Doylestown and 275 Yardley Avenue in Fallsington. Constituents can reach McIlhinney's offices by calling toll-free 1-800-728-8600 (Doylestown) or 1-866-739-8600 (Fallsington).

Contact:

Heather Cevasco
(717)787-7305