Philadelphia Renews Help For College-Aspiring High School Students
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The City of Philadelphia wants more students to apply for financial aid for college.
The city's third annual launch of the "Financing College Campaign" was held today at City Hall.
The event is designed to prepare students and families for college financial obligations.
"FAFSA is the gateway to getting financial aid," notes Lori Shurr, the city's chief education officer. "If you don't fill that form out, you're missing your boat. But I should say we had 94,000 (applicants in 2010), but in 2011 we increased that number to 111,000."
FAFSA stands for the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid."
Shorr also announced the opening of the College Countdown Center, at 440 North Broad Street. This office will help families fill out the FAFSA forms; find scholarships, financial aid, and other help to get that student to college; and pay for it.
For more information, go to www.Philasd.org/ccdc.