By 2020, America has been challenged to have the highest percentage of college and university graduates in the world. How will you and your family pay for college costs in the years ahead?

To help meet this national goal and lower the barriers to higher education, the U.S. government has created a shorter, simpler financial aid application form. Spring Branch ISD students and parents can learn more about the streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and other financial aid matters s during meetings that begin this month. These important sessions and will be offered on a regular basis at high school or other convenient locations through March 11.

Simplifying the federal student aid application process makes it easer for students and families to access funds for postsecondary studies. For the 2010-11 academic year, students could began filing their FAFSAs on Jan. 1, 2010.

What is FAFSA?
All college students are expected to contribute to their own educational costs., but how much you and your family will be expected to pay depends on your financial situation — or what is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for college expenses. It also determines eligibility for need-based federal Pell grants and other student financial aid options.

As a part of this process, you (and your parents if you are a dependent student) will be asked to complete a “need analysis” based on financial information, such as your family income, assets and other household information. Students and their families are being encouraged this year to apply online. An updated online FAFSA format has fewer questions than in past years, as well as a more user-friendly interface and navigation system, the Education Department reports.

The FAFSA form is submitted to and then processed by the U.S. Department of Education. The results are electronically transmitted to college financial aid offices that are listed on a student’s application.

How can I learn more about FAFSA?
Spring Branch ISD is offering financial aid and FAFSA workshops for students and families through March 11.  Below is a listing of workshop times, dates and information to assist parents and students. For more information, please contact Hortencia Vega, SBISD Coordinator of Post-Secondary Guidance & Counseling Programs, at 713-251-2265.

January 7
Workshop: Financial Aid Session for Parents and Students
(Session will focus on an overview of the financial aid process.)
Registration Not Required
Location: School of Choice 6:30 PM

January 14
Workshop: Financial Aid Session for Parents and Students
(Session will focus on an overview of the financial aid process.)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-2876 (leave a message with your name and a phone number).
Register by email:  cecilia.newburn@springbranchisd.com
Location: Northbrook High School Lecture Room One 6:30 PM

February 3
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-365-5671
Register by email:  gloria.hernandez@springbranchisd.com
Location: Parent Center 3:30 – 7:30 PM

February 4
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-1836
Register by email:  stephanie.gutierrez@springbranchisd.com
Location: Westchester Academy Library 6:30 PM

February 9
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Not Required
Register by phone:  Edna Sabio at 713-365-4190
Register by email:  edna.sabio@springbranchisd.com
Location: School of Choice 6:30 PM

February 10
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-3275 (leave a message with your name and a phone number)
Register by email:  sheila.cooper@springbranchisd.com
Location: Spring Woods High School Upstairs Library 6:00 – 7:30 PM

February 16
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-2265 or 713-251-2460
Register by email:  hortencia.vega@springbranchisd.com
Location: Administrative Building Board Room 6:00 - 8:00 PM

February 17
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-3275 (leave a message with your name and a phone number)
Register by email:  sheila.cooper@springbranchisd.com
Location: Spring Woods High School Upstairs Library 6:00 - 7:30 PM

February 17
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-3419
Register by email:  michael.strait@springbranchisd.com
Location: Stratford High School Room 236

February 18
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-2876
Register by email:  cecilia.newburn@springbranchisd.com
Location: Northbrook High School 6:30 PM

February 22
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-3419
Register by email:  michael.strait@springbranchisd.com
Location: Stratford High School Room 236

February 23
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop for Parents and Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register by phone:  713-251-2547
Register by email:  wendy.andreen@springbranchisd.com
Location: Memorial High School Library 6:00 – 8:00 PM

February 26
Workshop: FAFSA Workshop/Financial Aid Session for SHS Students
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Required
Register online: Y-School Day Registration
Register by email:  michael.strait@springbranchisd.com
Location: Stratford High School, HCCS Go Mobile School Day 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

March 11
Workshop: Financial Aid Seminar
(Must bring: Income Tax Return, SSN, etc)
Registration Not Required
Contact:  michael.strait@springbranchisd.com
Location: Stratford High School 6:30 - 8:00 PM