The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority’s College Planning Center (RISLA’s CPC) will hold its first ever FAFSA telethon Thursday, February 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. FAFSA experts will be on hand to answer questions from students and their parents readying for college financial aid.  The event is free and qualified experts may be reached at 401-475-3544.

“Unlike traditional telethons, we’re not asking for donations, we’re hoping to make money available to students and families by helping them complete the all-important FAFSA,” said Stacy Crooks, director of the CPC.  “We’ll work one-on-one with them to help them qualify for grants, work study, institutional aid, or low-cost federal student loans and that all starts with filing the FAFSA.”

She continued, “As many of us are social-distancing, we thought a telethon would be a convenient, helpful and safe way for us to connect.”

According to the National College Attainment Network, in 2021, Rhode Island students missed out on approximately $8 million dollars in available Pell Grants by not completing the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is available to any student exploring college and is free to apply.  Completion of the form typically takes 30 minutes. Several members of the CPC will be on hand to assist during the telethon. No appointment is necessary.

Completing a FAFSA is required for those students who wish to participate in RI Promise. If unable to call-in on February 10th, go online to book an appointment at: www.collegeplanningcenter.org.