Financial Aid

South Hagerstown High School parents and students are invited to a workshop on "Planning for the Future and Beyond," sponsored by the South High Counseling Department, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the school's media center. Lori Parks-Murphy, SAT specialist for Washington County Public Schools, will discuss preparing for the PSAT, SAT and ACT, and how those tests relate to college admissions. Information about financial-aid planning for college will be presented by Carolyn Cox, director of student financial aid at Hagerstown Community College.

The Community Foundation of Washington County recently hosted an informal introduction to scholarships and financial aid for high school juniors and seniors and their parents or guardians.  More than two dozen attendees heard discussions on scholarship application best practices, an overview of the FAFSA, and how scholarships might affect overall financial aid packages.  Speakers included Kristy Smith, programs and communications manager at...

The Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum will offer hourly financial aid workshops and free assistance completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Representatives from the Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum will be available near the JCPenney court. Parents and students should bring their 2012 income tax returns (if available) or their W-2s. Computers and online access will be provided or you can bring your own. Space is limited so it is recommended to reserve a time with a volunteer.

For those who want a little help navigating the process of applying for student financial aid, a local group is offering a kickstart this weekend. The Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum is hosting FAFSA Frenzy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday near JCPenney in Valley Mall. This is a free workshop educating parents and students on how to obtain financial aid for college. The event will include hourly Financial Aid 101 seminars and free assistance in filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

St. Maria Goretti High School will host a college financial aid night Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Gael Center, the school's gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. It will be an opportunity for parents to learn more about the process of applying for financial aid for their college-age children. An informational session on National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility requirements will take place immediately following the financial aid portion of the evening.

Caitlyn Kinzer, who graduated from Williamsport High School in January and already is taking classes at Hagerstown Community College, showed up with her mother Saturday afternoon at Valley Mall for assistance on filling out her Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). “We're looking for grants and anything that could help us,” said Kinzer, 17, who is going into nursing at HCC. “This helped us figure when and where we can get grants.” The Greater Hagerstown Community Education Forum provided assistance for filling out FAFSA forms and financial aid workshops Saturday for students and parents and will have it again Sunday in the former Kay Jewelers store at Valley Mall near J.C. Penney.

Financial aid forum today MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - U.S. Rep. Bob Wise, D-W.Va., will host a regional forum at 7 p.m. today at Martinsburg High School to outline many of the new financial assistance programs that will be available this year. Wise will use his analysis of federal education data that ranks West Virginia near the bottom of the nation in percentage of students who move from high school to college to show how important these new programs will be for the state. Representatives from a number of W.Va.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Rep. Patrick Fleagle, R-Franklin, is offering a booklet to constituents who are concerned about the cost of higher education. "Moving on to Higher Education," published by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, is designed to assist first-time students, regardless of their educational goals, with an understandable guide to financial aid. PHEAA has distributed copies of the booklet to Pennsylvania high schools....

By DON AINES Staff Writer, Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The number of students eligible for federal college financial assistance in West Virginia has doubled due to changes made last year by Congress, according to U.S. Rep. Bob Wise. Wise, D-W.Va., told about 200 parents and students Thursday at Martinsburg High School that 35,000 state students received some form of federal financial assistance in 1996-97. The U.S. Department of Education estimates new programs could increase that to 77,000.

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. - Hedgesville High School will host a financial aid workshop Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.in the school library. Staff from Shepherd University's financial aid office will be available to help students file applications for federal aid. Parents are asked to bring completed 2006 federal tax returns, 2006 W2 forms and the total of any untaxed 2006 income. For information, call the Hedgesville High School guidance office at 304-754-3354.

Caitlyn Kinzer, who graduated from Williamsport High School in January and already is taking classes at Hagerstown Community College, showed up with her mother Saturday afternoon at Valley Mall for assistance on filling out her Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). “We're looking for grants and anything that could help us,” said Kinzer, 17, who is going into nursing at HCC. “This helped us figure when and where we can get grants.” The Greater Hagerstown Community Education Forum provided assistance for filling out FAFSA forms and financial aid workshops Saturday for students and parents and will have it again Sunday in the former Kay Jewelers store at Valley Mall near J.C. Penney.

The Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum will offer hourly financial aid workshops and free assistance completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Representatives from the Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum will be available near the JCPenney court. Parents and students should bring their 2012 income tax returns (if available) or their W-2s. Computers and online access will be provided or you can bring your own. Space is limited so it is recommended to reserve a time with a volunteer.

For those who want a little help navigating the process of applying for student financial aid, a local group is offering a kickstart this weekend. The Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum is hosting FAFSA Frenzy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday near JCPenney in Valley Mall. This is a free workshop educating parents and students on how to obtain financial aid for college. The event will include hourly Financial Aid 101 seminars and free assistance in filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Ask any parent of a teenager about what keeps them up at night and there's usually plenty of answers, including how to pay for their child's college education. Thanks to the annual Financial Aid Night on Thursday night at Waynesboro Area Senior High School, some parents might be sleeping a little better these days. The high school's counseling department presented the event, which drew about 100 people to the high school's auditorium. Several dozen students were in the audience, but most were parents trying to get a clearer picture of the routes available to them as their children head off to a postsecondary education.

The Williamsport High School Guidance Department will host a financial aid night Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in room 266 at the high school. Angie Hovatter, director of financial aid at Frostburg State University, will be the presenter. WHS counselors Mrs. Barnhart, Mrs. Downs and Mr. Longnecker will be available to answer questions. All college-bound seniors and early-graduation juniors and their parents are invited to attend the session. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form, will be covered along with tips and suggestions regarding financial aid. For more information, call the guidance office at 301-766-8426.

Princeton offers significant financial aid to students To the editor: It was great to read “ To Harvard from here? Yes, it is possible ” by Spence Perry (Nov. 14). It is unfortunate that qualified students in Washington County continue to be discouraged from applying to Princeton or Harvard because of the “high cost.” This, despite major efforts to inform students, parents, educators and administrators in this area that Princeton is firmly committed to meeting 100 percent of the financial need for every qualified student, with an aid package that does not require a loan.

Hagerstown Community College will host an information session for active duty military, veterans and their families Friday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Student Center. During the free session, attendees will get an overview of HCC, including information on veterans' benefits, academic advising, financial aid, disability services and the student-run veterans' club. Tours of the campus will be available. For more information, call recruitment coordinator Kevin Crawford at 240-500-2412 or send an email to klcrawford@hagerstowncc.edu .

The Community Foundation of Washington County recently hosted an informal introduction to scholarships and financial aid for high school juniors and seniors and their parents or guardians.  More than two dozen attendees heard discussions on scholarship application best practices, an overview of the FAFSA, and how scholarships might affect overall financial aid packages.  Speakers included Kristy Smith, programs and communications manager at...

St. Maria Goretti High School recently was awarded a matching grant from the Salah Foundation. The school will receive a match of up to $30,000 for money it raises through its upcoming Evening at the Races event on May 5. The event will benefit the school's financial aid program, which aims to keep tuition as affordable as possible for families.  The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the United States that strengthen families...