CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — If you have questions about how you are going to fund your collegiate experience, look no further than next Friday's FAFSA Frenzy, hosted by the Coastal Compass Education and Resource Center.
Kristen Parris with Coastal Compass says that the rules are always changing when it comes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and it can sometimes be hard for students and parents to keep up.
Last year's FAFSA is different from the new 2024-2025 FAFSA. There are fewer questions and parents are now considered contributors who have to be accepted into FAFSA. Depending on your student's parental situation, some step-parents will also be involved in the FAFSA application. Parris says there is a lot of new information regarding dependents that is really important.
The Coastal Compass is all about education, advocacy and making sure people understand what resources are available to help them finance their college education. That is where the FAFSA Frenzy comes in.
"All of these wonderful organizations are coming together to help us help the students," said Parris.
From passing out scholarship lists to looking up student summaries and helping them address their needs, Parris says that there will plenty of helpful information and connection taking place Friday.
Students and parents will need to bring their tax information, social security or green cards to the FAFSA Frenzy on Friday, Feb. 16 between 10:30am-6:00pm at the Coastal Compass located on 5488 South Padre Island Drive #1572.
The tax information you should bring depends on which year's FAFSA your student plans to apply for. If applying for the 2023-2024 FAFSA, you should bring your 2022 tax information. For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, students should bring their 2023 tax information.
Whether you are planning on heading to college or you are not sure what you want to do after school, Coastal Compass is encouraging Coastal Bend students to attend.
The following organizations will be in attendance to help connect with students:
- Del Mar College
- Del Mar College TRIO EOC
- Coastal Bend College
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville TRIO EOC
- University of Houston-Victoria
- Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend
- Crossroads Adult Education Literacy Program
- Education to Employment Partners
- Elevate 361 Young Adult ReEngagement Center
For more information, call 361-906-0703 or email Info@coastalcompass.org