Event helps students apply for financial aid

Prospective college students and their parents are invited to attend College Goal Washington to help them complete college financial aid forms. The free event begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at Washington State University Vancouver’s Undergraduate Building, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. Parking is free on weekends.

College Goal is a partnership between WSU Vancouver and Clark College. Financial aid experts from both institutions will be on hand to answer questions.

The event provides students and families with help completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the most important application for financial assistance for higher education. Help completing the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will also be provided to DREAMER (undocumented) students. Translation assistance will be available for Russian and Spanish speakers. Guests may also attend aid presentations.

Whether students choose a four-year university, community college, vocational or technical school, most students rely on financial aid to pay for college.

To complete the FAFSA/WAFSA, students should bring:

• Student’s Social Security card/number or alien registration.

• Student’s income information.

• Bank statements; a W-2 or pay stub, if you have a job; past tax return, if you filed.

Students younger than 24 should bring a parent. The FAFSA will help those students determine if they are considered dependent or independent. Only dependents must file parent information. All students 24 and older are considered independent from their parents.

Parents of students younger than 24 should bring the following financial information:

• Bank statements; W-2 or pay stub; last year’s tax return. You can use last year’s tax return to estimate your current tax information and submit the FAFSA. If you do this, you will update and make corrections after you file your taxes.

• Parents’ Social Security numbers, if they have one

• Any additional financial information such as child support statements; TANF or welfare information; real estate, stock or bonds investments; family business or farm information