Deneene Merchant has been in Higher Education for 30 years now with 15 of those years, specifically related to Financial Aid.
She spent a lot of time working in pre-college and collegiate programs, just helping students be able to gain access to college and then helping them to find a way to pay.
In this episode of Higher Education Advocates Podcast:
03:12 - (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
03:48 - FAFSA is available beginning October 1 of each year, Deneene encourages all families to complete that application.
04:28 - REMINDER: The FAFSA is free so please do not pay anyone to complete the FAFSA.
05:00- Go to studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA.
06:32 - What type of financial aid is available to families who complete the FAFSA?
07:36 - Explanation of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
08:27 - Deneene explains the importance of federal work-study to students.
09:25 - FAFSA is the first step to receiving financial aid
11:45 - What is the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive?
12:21 - What is the loan amount for first-time students going to college?
13:25 - What is the importance of doing the FAFSA early?
14:18 - Deneene's advice for families when it comes to comparing colleges?
17:38 - Deneene's advice: she encourages families to review award letters and review costs.
19:43 - Why is it important for families to meet financial aid deadlines?
- and then where can they find the deadlines?
- What can you find out about these deadlines?
22:09 - Deneene message for families?
Contact Deneene at fainfo6752@gmail.com
Links Mentioned:
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- “February 27 is National TRiO Day” Learning about TRiO Programs With Victor Diaz Galindo - February 26, 2021
- February is Financial Aid Awareness Month “Financial Aid Chat with Deenene Merchant” - February 12, 2021
- “The Real Deal A Family’s Guide to College”- With Lisa Lyons” - January 15, 2021