February 2

MINNEAPOLIS – When college is affordable, the chances of completion increase. However, only half of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) graduates (approximately 700) completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in 2011. With the intent of increasing FAFSA completion to 68 percent over the next four years, MPS is initiating a new pilot that will allow school staff to connect directly with students who have indicated their desire to go to college, but do not have a financial plan to do so. To support these efforts, MPS and AchieveMpls have partnered to help high school seniors learn about the FAFSA this February.

“College and career readiness must be at the forefront of students’ minds from the moment they enter school until the day that they toss their caps in the air,” said Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson. “To help support our graduates, MPS will improve support for students and families to complete applications for college admission and financial aid.”

Financial advisors from La Conexion of the Americas, H & R Block, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), the University of St. Thomas and additional businesses and colleges will be on hand to help families complete tax forms and the FAFSA at the FAFSA February event on February 12 from 2 - 5 p.m. at MCTC.

Free parking will be available in the MCTC parking ramp located on Hennepin Avenue or families may access free bus transportation from Roosevelt High School and Patrick Henry High School. Pick-up is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and families may sign up through the counseling office or the Career and College Center coordinator at their child’s high school.

Other FAFSA information and help sessions will be held at each MPS College and Career Center this month.

February 6: Roosevelt High School from 6 – 8 p.m.
February 8: South High School from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Plymouth Youth Center (PYC) from 5 – 7:30 p.m.
February 13: South High School from 2 – 4 p.m.
February 21: Southwest High School from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., American Indian OIC from 5 – 7:30 p.m.
February 22: Urban League High School from 4 – 7 p.m.; Menlo Park from 5:30 – 8 p.m.
February 23: South High School from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
February 24: Patrick Henry High School from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
March 8: Southwest High School from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

MPS’ mission is to ensure that every child is ready for college and a career upon high school graduation. On January 20, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined city and state leaders to remind high school seniors of the importance of completing college.

WHAT:
Financial advisors will be available to help MPS high school seniors and their families complete their taxes and the FAFSA.

WHEN:
Sunday, February 12, from 2 – 5 p.m.

WHERE:
Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC)
Room L3000 in the Library Building
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Free parking will be available in the MCTC parking ramp located on Hennepin Ave. Bus transportation available to families from Patrick Henry and Roosevelt at 1:30 p.m.