The College Planning Center of RI will be partnering with Latino Community Organizations in Providence to provide free assistance and information for completing the free applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms in both English and Spanish.

The FAFSA form is the gateway for students and families to access free financial aid from the Federal government including Pell Grants and low cost loans. Many schools also use information from the FAFSA to award institutional aid. March 1st is the deadline to qualify for the RI state grant.

While the FAFSA can easily be filled out online at www.fafsa.gov, the College Planning Center recognizes that those families who may need financial aid the most may not have access to the internet to complete the FAFSA online. A survey by a local community group servicing first generation Americans indicated that approximately 80% of their members did NOT have internet access in their home, and while the internet is available at most libraries and schools, it may be intimidating for families to bring their personal financial information to a public place.

If students or families have any questions about how to fill out the FAFSA they can receive free help in Providence on Saturdays, by attending the FAFSA Saturday events at:

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•Club Juan Pablo Duarte at 100 Niagara Street
•Center for Hispanic Policy & Advocacy (CHisPA) at 421 Elmwood Avenue
•Gloria Dei Step-up Center at 15 Hayes Street
•The community may also call United Way 211 for information on these locations

Counselors from the National College Advising Corps at Brown University, a program of the Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service, and fluent in Spanish will be available at these free sessions.

For more information please go to www.cpcri.org