STACK ENCOURAGES COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS TO FILL OUT FAFSA NOW

            PHILADELPHIA, April 21 - State Sen. Mike Stack is reminding Pennsylvania families and college-bound students that the deadline to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is fast approaching.

             “I strongly encourage every student to obtain the FAFSA form, fill it out, and submit it as soon as possible," Stack said.  "The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for the PHEAA’s Pennsylvania Student Grant program.  These grants have helped thousands of Pennsylvanians who would have been unable to attend or complete college without financial help.”

The deadline for submitting the FAFSA to determine eligibility for a 2008-09 Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1; however, families should submit their FAFSA as early as possible to ensure meeting earlier financial aid deadlines.

The FAFSA is used to determine if students qualify for almost all forms of need-based financial aid, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, federal Pell Grant, many scholarships and institutional awards and low-cost student loans.

Families can access the FAFSA application and a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet online by visiting the senator’s Web site www.senatorstack.com and clicking the “PHEAA” link.

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) prefers that students file electronically since it is faster and easier. USDE will only send paper FAFSAs to individuals who personally request a paper form by calling 1-800-443-3243.