Dear Mercy Parents/Guardians,
Understanding college financial aid is an integral part of the college planning and application process. To better serve Mercy families this year, we are bringing this information to you virtually through two pre-recorded presentations specifically designed for Mercy families.
FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATIONS
The core 60-minute workshop is designed to shed light on the financial reality of going to college and help families gain greater understanding of the financial aid process. Presenter Bob Hoger, a Certified College Planning Specialist with Michigan College Funding, will give an overview of the financial aid process; discuss the different types of aid, which includes scholarships; and will cover how to apply for financial aid.
Additionally, Mr. Hoger offers a 20-minute presentation that focuses on borrowing money for college.
Feedback on the resources provided by Michigan College Funding is appreciated. We ask that you kindly complete the SURVEY after viewing the presentation(s).
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES
Alma College offers a playlist of short Financial Aid videos.
The University of St. Francis in Indiana is hosting small group FAFSA assistance throughout October. There is no requirement to have applied to or plan to attend University of St. Francis. From the University, "There's no cost, but space will be limited to 25 students each workshop over the next three months. We offer these workshops to your seniors because we want to help them get it done. It's incredibly important. It's also something we know a lot about and have done, collectively, thousands of times." You can register for your time slot here.
The Federal Student Aid website is a helpful resource for students and families throughout the process of applying for financial aid.
Financial aid applications opened on October 1st. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the official application for need-based financial aid. Additionally, some colleges also require families to complete the CSS Profile. High school seniors applying for financial aid can start the FAFSA and CSS Profile as early as October 1 of their senior year.
Each state and school has its own FAFSA deadline. Check a college's website or call the school's financial aid office for their deadline. Most state deadlines can be found here. When considering whether or not to file a FAFSA form, keep in mind that some schools won't consider a student for merit scholarships until a FAFSA has been submitted. We encourage you to learn about each college's policy.
Our hope is that these resources provide facts that help a family overcome their fear and apprehension about how they will pay for college. Learning as much as you can about financial aid early in this process will hopefully serve you well.
Sincerely,
The Mercy College Counseling Staff
Holly Markiecki-Bennetts (10th - 12th grade; Last names A-G): hbennetts@mhsmi.org
Arpna Hessler (10th - 12th grade; Last names H-O): abhessler@mhsmi.org
Kristen Casey (10th - 12th grade; Last names P-Z): kkcasey@mhsmi.org