Philadelphia offers help filling out FAFSA forms

Students and families in Philadelphia who are bewildered over how to apply for college financial aid can get some help Feb. 18.

There will be a citywide event that day to help parents and students fill out their FAFSA forms, the key application for finding financial aid for college, said Lori Shorr, the city’s chief education officer.

“Back in 2009, we had 94,000 students complete their FAFSA,” Shorr said. “In 2011, we increased that number to 111,318 students. That is a big increase. It’s millions of dollars coming into the city.”

Mayor Michael Nutter has made improving college graduation rates a priority in his administration.

“Education is our poverty-reduction strategy, education is our employment strategy, it is our crime-reduction strategy, our growth strategy,” said Nutter. “It is central to everything we are trying to accomplish in this great city.”

The city is working with everyone from parents to mentors to students to improve college matriculation and graduation rates. More information can be found on the website.