Financial aid, including free money, is available for college, and Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to helping students discover funds that are available to them. The first step in accessing financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On October 1, to mark the opening of FAFSA applications for the 2019–20 school year, MPS hosted a kickoff event at MacDowell Montessori School to spread the word about FAFSA, encourage students to apply, and offer help with applications.
At the kickoff, students heard from Interim Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and others who came together to educate the community about this important resource that can help more students go to college and minimize their student loan debt. The FAFSA Kickoff is part of a series of efforts by Milwaukee Public Schools to increase the number of students who complete the FAFSA and thereby qualify for financial aid.
Many students, especially those whose parents did not attend college, are unaware of the grants and loans available to pay for tuition and living expenses. Filling out the FAFSA gives every applicant a summary of the federal aid they qualify for, and the FAFSA is required for some scholarship applications. Many MPS students discover money that is available to them – but the only way to find out is to fill out the application.
MPS offers extensive help to students to fill out the FAFSA, college applications, scholarship applications, and more. All twenty MPS traditional high schools have an onsite College & Career Center staffed by advisors who can assist with applications and answer questions. MPS students can visit any College & Career Center to get the help they need. Students who wish to fill out the FAFSA should visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. Applicants are cautioned to use only this website and to avoid any websites that charge a fee.
For more information about College & Career Center locations, hours, and services, visit the MPS College & Career Centers page at http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Programs/College-and-Career-Centers.htm.