For immediate release — Feb. 9, 2009

(DALLAS) — For high school juniors and seniors thinking about college, it’s crunch time.
 
They are asking themselves which colleges they should apply to, and they wonder whether they can afford the cost of tuition and books. They — and their parents — are concerned about applications, financial aid forms or courses of study; and 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 will eliminate some of that fear and confusion by providing a fact-filled and useful day of information to those students and their parents through the Las Llaves del Exito (Keys to Success) program on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The free event, which is geared toward all high school juniors and seniors — as well as their parents, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster.

CVC is located at 3030 N. Dallas Ave. in Lancaster. To travel to the college, take Interstate 20 to Lancaster Road (marked “Exit 342”) and go south to Cedar Valley. Take the second marked entrance for CVC on the left and proceed through the main gate to parking areas.

Las Llaves is sponsored by DCCCD, the Dallas Independent School District and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with area colleges, universities and nonprofit groups.   

The program includes hands-on workshops during which students will learn 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.
 
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’ 2008 income tax return, students’ valid 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. Other sessions will explore paying for college, SAT/ACT test preparation and more. 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) 378-1771; for details in Spanish, call (214) 378-1773; or visit these Web sites: http://www.dcccd.edu/keystosuccess or http://www.dcccd.edu/llavesdelexito.

Las Llaves del Exito: Fast Facts
FAFSA Checklist - English (PDF - 123KB)
FAFSA Checklist - Spanish (PDF - 124KB)

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Press contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu
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