Thompson Falls High School helps students 'reach higher'

Montana students are encouraged to “reach higher” in their post secondary education, and Thompson Falls High School is aiming to help local students get there.

Sanders County High School is teaming up with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through Reach Higher Montana College Goal to get seniors thinking about how they can lighten the financial burdens of college costs.

“About $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds is available each year. That doesn’t include the state and institutional aid that is out there,” said Rhonda Safford, Reach Higher Montana College Goal statewide coordinator.

The Reach Higher Montana (RHM) program is more than just a gateway to a great college experience. The program offers support to both parents and students with detailed steps for applications.

The website — http://www.reachhighermontana.org — has easy break downs for students of what they are required to do should they be looking for financial aid.

Just like any generation, when your child is ready for college there will always be the differences from when you applied. This is not only looking at the financial strains, but also the simple tasks of the application process.

Thompson Falls school councillor Jody Morgan said “Our high school has been working with Reach Higher Montana formerly the Student Assistance Foundation since I began working here ten years ago.”

Adding that it was seven years ago that the school district joined GEAR UP program which focuses on college and career readiness. This helps faculty liaisons as the both programs go hand in hand for enabling the continuation of College Goal Montana.

“Thompson Falls has a current enrollment of 56 seniors. Those seniors planning on attending college are encouraged to complete the FAFSA,” said Morgan

“Seniors and current college students complete the FAFSA every year to continue with financial aid. We typically get half of the senior class at our FAFSA event each year. Some years we have had students and parents from other local high schools attend. Everyone is welcome,” she continued.

Understanding the importance of the county’s economic status and also the drive of students across the county, Morgan explained, is why it was important to hold and support an event such as FAFSA.

This year’s event is set for Monday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. at Thompson Falls High School.

For further information contact Jodi Morgan 827-7209 or jmorgan@blackfoot.net

“Financial aid professionals in Montana will tell you that the return on the investment of taking half an hour or 45 minutes to complete the FAFSA is worth it,” said Safford.