{"id":1934,"date":"2021-02-09T13:09:11","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T18:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nnpa.org\/education\/?p=1934"},"modified":"2023-05-27T21:46:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-28T01:46:19","slug":"birmingham-provides-resources-to-help-families-meet-fafsa-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nnpa.org\/education\/2021\/02\/09\/birmingham-provides-resources-to-help-families-meet-fafsa-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham Provides Resources to Help Families Meet FAFSA Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Erica Wright, The Birmingham Times<\/p>\n

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin joined Birmingham Promise, Inc. last week to announce resources to help seniors and their families in Birmingham City Schools (BCS) complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms ahead of a March 1 deadline.<\/p>\n

Birmingham City Schools students graduating in May must apply for Birmingham Promise and complete a FAFSA form by March 1 to be part of the tuition assistance program.<\/p>\n

The Birmingham Promise makes college affordable and accessible for students in Birmingham City Schools. Through the program students are eligible to have college costs covered at any public two-year or four-year school in the state. Due to disruptions in the school year from the coronavirus pandemic, FAFSA applications are currently down nationwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that the pandemic has limited the flow of information for many students and parents but it\u2019s important to know that aid and assistance is available,\u201d Woodfin said. \u201cWe cannot let the circumstances of the pandemic dim the bright futures our students deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Birmingham Promise Executive Director Rachel Harmon said individual, virtual family FAFSA sessions will take place throughout this month to provide assistance in completing the forms before the deadline.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to help simplify the filing process for students and their families,\u201d Harmon said. \u201cWe encourage parents to attend these sessions. Each session provides one hour with trained staff. That time is an important investment in our students\u2019 futures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsey Williams, a BCS parent, said her daughter has benefitted from the Promise, and encouraged families to apply as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Williams said her daughter applied for FAFSA and has already been accepted into three colleges in the state of Alabama. \u201cI am encouraging all parents, if you haven\u2019t yet, please assist your child filling out the FAFSA,\u201d Williams said. \u201cAll children need to fill this out in order to know how they can become financially able to go to college . . . [Birmingham Promise] allows them the opportunity to believe that college is a possibility without worrying about a financial burden on parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

John Collins, a 2020 graduate of Ramsay High School and a freshman at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) majoring in electrical engineering, also encouraged students to apply.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a lifelong product of this city, I really appreciate everything the Promise has done for me. It\u2019s definitely an assurance to myself, my family and my peers that the Promise sees the value within us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Students and parents can sign up for an individual family session online at http:\/\/bit.ly\/fafsasessions or call 205-843-5967<\/a> to make an appointment. Applicants can also attend virtual weekly sessions for Frequently Asked Questions at http:\/\/bit.ly\/promisefaqs21<\/a>. The weekly FAQ sessions begin Tues., February 9<\/p>\n

To complete a FAFSA form, a student will need:<\/p>\n