FAFSA filing deadline fast approaching

A+student+receives+help+on+her+FASFA+on+Thursday%2C+Feb.+11%2C+2016+in+the+Union+Redwood.

A student receives help on her FASFA on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in the Union Redwood.

State Hornet Staff

The Sacramento State Financial Aid Department held an event to help students with their FAFSA applications on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the University Union Redwood Room.

Advisers at the event helped students with various problems, said event organizer Theresa Barajas.

“We can help students with any questions they have,” said Barajas. “We can help if [students’] income verification doesn’t quite match up, and we can help make sure it’s submitted correctly with no errors.”

Barajas said students will need to come prepared with their tax returns for 2015 and their parents to be able to show their income.

“The deadline for the FAFSA is [Wednesday] March 2,” said Barajas.

If students do not turn in their FAFSA application by the deadline, Barajas said there are other options available.

“If you don’t meet the deadline, you can still get some grants,” said Barajas. “There’s the Cal Grant, and the state university grants, but FAFSA is still the best option – you can get the most aid through FAFSA.”

If students were unable to make it to Thursday’s session, another session will be held next week, Barajas said.

“This event is helping me because if I have a question, they can help me,” said Roza Mesfin, a junior studying biology. “I don’t have to do it by myself.”

Attendees had a variety of reasons for attending the event.

“I needed to fill out a FAFSA, and was already on campus, so I figured I might as well do it now,” said Harrison Reynolds, a junior majoring in business administration. “It’s helpful because I’m not procrastinating and doing it at the last minute.”