Grant to help students apply for financial aid

ST. REGIS – The St. Regis High School recently received a grant that will make it easier for students who intend on continuing their education in college to navigate the process of applying for federal financial aid.

As part of the Graduation Matters Montana campaign launched by the state, the grant will go to support students as they apply for college by paying for a seminar about the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) process. According to their website, Graduation Matters Montana was started in 2010, “to ensure Montana’s public schools graduate more students prepared for college and careers.”

With the first week in November being College Application Week, the grant comes at a time when students could use some help with the sometimes daunting task of submitting a FAFSA application according to St. Regis High School Guidance Counselor Sarah Etter. Etter said the $1,000 grant will allow the school to provide students with the tools they will need to avoid mistakes when filling out their FAFSA.

“FAFSA does so much and provides so much for our kids,” Etter said. “In February we will have a FAFSA Day where students will fill out their FAFSA. We will provide coaches if needed.”

Etter said the St. Regis High School was one of only 16 schools statewide to receive the grant. She said one of the reasons she hears too often as to why students don’t go on to higher education is the prohibitive cost.

“We are slowly seeing more kids go to college,” Etter said. “Every year we send a couple but the main reason our students say they aren’t going is because they don’t have enough money and can’t afford it. We want to make sure we are sending them to college if they want to go. Especially in Mineral County, a lot of our kids will be able to get the Pell Grant as well as other financial aid through FAFSA.”

The Pell Grant is a post-secondary educational grant provided by the U.S. Federal Government and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Pell Grants are limited to students with demonstrated financial need and unlike a loan, do not need to be repaid. Financial need is determined by information the government receives when a prospective student fills out the FAFSA. Students can use the federal funds at any of over 5,000 participating institutions across the country. While there are instructions on-line about how to fill out the FAFSA application, Etter said the class in February will be the first of its kind at the St. Regis High School.

“We are a Graduation Matters school and we value making sure our kids stay in school and graduate,” Etter said. “We want students to see the value in staying in school and graduating and hopefully go on to higher education. College isn’t for everyone but if kids want to go to college, we don’t want them to be held back because of money. We are hoping kids will get the financial aid they need to attend college.”

According to the website, Graduation Matters Montana was created in 2012 with the stated objectives of increasing the graduation rate of Montana students, establishing a network of support among schools, businesses and community organizations and creating school and community based opportunities for student success.