By AMANDA PETRUCELLI
Director of Marketing and Social Media, Ancilla College

DONALDSON — Parents or guardians of seniors at area high schools are invited to find out if their child qualifies to receive more than $13,100 annually for college. Join Ancilla’s financial aid experts at the first-ever Ancilla College Financial Aid Presentation from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, in the Plymouth High School cafeteria.

There are five other locations and 11 other times and dates for Ancilla College-sponsored free FAFSA workshops.

Experts will assist students and parents in filling out the FAFSA. All financial aid starts with the FAFSA, which is due for EVERYONE March 10, 2016. Click here to learn more.

FAFSA helps colleges determine financial eligibility for all sorts of programs that may help you pay for college. It is like the common application for financial aid. Potential college students should always fill out the FAFSA so colleges can create a financial aid file, even if families change their mind later. FAFSA is the tool Ancilla College uses to make sure its students qualify for as much aid and support as possible for their education.

“It’s very important for students and their families to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This online form is used to qualify students for scholarships, grants and loans. It is the number one way colleges begin building a financial aid file for a student. Not filing the FAFSA means students can run the risk of flying under the radar when it comes to scholarships and aid,” said Marcy Hopple, Ancilla’s director of financial aid.

“You should always fill out the FAFSA, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need-based financial aid. The information you provide helps us determine your eligibility for all sorts of programs that may help you pay for college,” she said.

Completing the FAFSA allows students to be considered for the greatest amount of financial aid from federal, state and college sources — and it is free to fill out. It’s available now, Hopple said.

“Without a FAFSA, you could miss out on thousands of dollars of financial aid. There is no good reason to skip the FAFSA,” said Eric Wignall, Ancilla College’s vice president for enrollment.

The FAFSA is a free form that takes about 40 minutes to fill out, Wignall said. He also noted that that there is no age limit for financial aid. Anyone interested in going to college can potentially get financial aid for school. It’s not just for high school students graduating this year.

Parents and students can fill out this form and Ancilla College will send a free booklet on how to fill out the FAFSA.

The following sessions are available:

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6,Plymouth High School cafeteria
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, Triton High School media center
• 6 p.m. (CST) Wednesday, Jan. 20, Knox High School cafeteria
• 6 p.m. (CST) Monday, Jan 25, Oregon-Davis High School
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Culver High School cafeteria
• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, Argos High School media center

The following sessions will be at Ancilla College:

• 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 3, room C146
• 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, room C144
• 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, room C144
• 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, room C144
• 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10, room C146
• 1 p.m. Thursday, March 10, room C146