Student financial aid deadline nears

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HANCOCK COUNTY — More than $300 million in state aid for college is available to Indiana students who file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by April 15. Just over half (51 percent) of high school seniors filed the FAFSA in 2017, but there’s a new reason for them to do so this year: tuition-free training for high-demand jobs — regardless of family income — through the state’s expanded Workforce Ready Grant.

The Indiana General Assembly created the Workforce Ready Grant in 2017 for financially-independent students, typically age 24 years and older. This week state lawmakers expanded the program to all high school graduates 18 years and older to help more Hoosiers afford education and training beyond high school and to meet the skills needs of Indiana employers.

The fastest and easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at FAFSA.gov. The U.S. Department of Education provides email and live chat assistance for FAFSA filers as well as a helpline at 800-4FED-AID.