The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education will host a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) completion event at the Richland County Library on April 8 from 1-5 p.m. to help students and families access financial aid for college.
Financial aid professionals will be present to assist with the process.
Statistics show that seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84 percent more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education than those who do not, according to the National College Attainment Network. For students in the lowest socioeconomic quintile, FAFSA completion is associated with a 127 percent increase in immediate college enrollment.
In addition to unlocking federal aid, the FAFSA is also used to determine student eligibility for various state-funded financial aid programs at public four year and technical colleges, as well as independent institutions. These include South Carolina Tuition Grants, South Carolina Need-based Grants, South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance Grant, and South Carolina Workforce and Industry Needs Scholarships (WINS).
To successfully complete the FAFSA at the event, students and families should bring or have access to the following:
- Social Security Number/Alien Registration Number
- Tax Returns
- Bank Statements
- Personal Information (Driver's License, etc.)
Additional information on the FAFSA and required documents is available on our "Paying for College" page.
The Richland County Library is located at 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For questions or additional information about the event, email Antonia Adams (aadams@che.sc.gov) or Dr. Gerrick Hampton (ghampton@che.sc.gov).
