For immediate release — Feb. 17, 2012
(DALLAS) — The clock is ticking and time is flying for high school juniors and seniors who are making plans for college and want to apply for financial aid.
In the middle of school, exams and plans for the future, many are trying to decide where they should apply for college and whether they can afford the cost of tuition and books. They — and their parents — are concerned about applications, financial aid forms and what they should study; the students simply want to know how to navigate the waters of higher education. They are confused, excited and sometimes a little bit frightened to cross the bridge from high school to college.
The Dallas County Community College District and the Dallas Independent School District will eliminate some of those fears and confusion by providing a fact-filled and useful day of information to those students and their parents through the Las Llaves del Éxito/Keys to Success program on Saturday, March 3, 2012. The free event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View College, Building E (on the east side of the campus), 4849 W. Illinois Ave. in Dallas (maps and directions). Breakfast will be provided.
The half-day college fair is designed specifically to meet the needs of high school juniors and seniors, and their parents.
Las Llaves, celebrating its 10th anniversary, is sponsored by DCCCD and the Dallas Independent School District. Partners for the spring 2012 event include the University of North Texas-Dallas, Education Is Freedom, Texas A&M University-Commerce, the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Dallas County Schools, LULAC National Educational Service Centers Inc., the University of Texas at Dallas, Jackson Walker LLP and Univision.
The program includes hands-on workshops that will teach students how to fill out applications for admission to DCCCD and area colleges and universities, as well as paperwork for financial aid and scholarships — including DCCCD’s Rising Star program. Bilingual volunteers will be available to assist participants.
Sessions for students will focus on FAFSA online for seniors; the TASFA worksheet; admission to DCCCD; preparing for college; financial aid, scholarships and Rising Star; and the real world/real life of a college student.
Parents can attend sessions on understanding the higher education system (differences among community colleges, universities and technical programs/institutions); financial aid, scholarships and Rising Star; and preparing their children for the challenge of going to college and succeeding.
Interested seniors will receive assistance with filling out and submitting their college admissions and financial aid forms. Those students should bring the following documents: a copy of their parents’ 2011 income tax return; valid student picture ID; and W-2 forms or any other records of money earned. Students who have all of the essential forms will receive assistance completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
College representatives, admissions specialists and financial aid advisors will talk to families about the steps they need to take to be considered for admission and financial aid. Breakfast and snacks will be provided.
Las Llaves was started several years ago by a committee of community members who wanted to encourage high school students to graduate and continue their education.
For more information in English, call DCCCD at (214) 378-1738; for details in Spanish, call (214) 378-1713; or visit these websites: http://www.dcccd.edu/keystosuccess or http://www.dcccd.edu/llavesdelexito.
Las Llaves del Éxito: Fast Facts
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Press contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu