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The improved Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open to high school seniors, college students and adult learners, providing a pathway to federal grants, work-study funds and loans essential for funding individuals' college or career journey. Completing the FAFSA is not only cost-free but also grants access to the largest source of financial aid, making higher education more affordable.
This year, significant changes have been introduced to the FAFSA application process, promising a smoother and more streamlined experience. Spread the word and act now to secure the financial support needed for your educational aspirations. Before you get started, review our helpful FAFSA toolkit!
If you run into technical glitches while completing the FAFSA, be patient and don't give up! Feel free to contact us at fafsa@collegenowgc.org.
Complete the FAFSA
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Inform your network about our in-person
FAFSA workshops!
Please encourage the students in your life, friends and family to attend one of our various FAFSA workshops this month as we provide free, expert guidance to complete the FAFSA with participants. Special thanks to our public library partners throughout Northeast Ohio for hosting several FAFSA completion events with College Now. More dates will be added soon.
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College Now Greater Cleveland- Downtown Office
Saturday, January 20
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Save the Date: Bags & Bourbon 2024 | |
Mark your calendars for College Now's Bags & Bourbon fundraising event, taking place Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre. Join us for an evening featuring cocktails, exquisite designer handbags, bourbon tastings and more. Your contributions and attendance will directly impact College Now's Mentoring Program, providing vital one-on-one support to students in their postsecondary educational journeys.
Be a part of this impactful cause! Explore sponsorship opportunities and secure your tickets now.
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College Now in the Community | |
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College Now expands educational opportunities for incarcerated and re-entering individuals
College Now continues our commitment to assist all members of our community – especially those groups that have been historically underserved – with access to postsecondary education, leading to meaningful careers. Through a National College Attainment Network (NCAN) grant, College Now will advance pivotal postsecondary education access for individuals who are currently incarcerated or were recently incarcerated.
Read More
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College Now AmeriCorps hosts Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer event
On Monday, Jan. 15, our community came together for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteer service event at Thea Bowman Center! College Now's AmeriCorps members hosted this day of service, crafting care packages for children and veterans recovering from illnesses. These care packages will soon find their way to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Attendees also shared their creativity and stories during an open mic session.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this day of service and unity!
View Event Photos
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Increasing the Federal Pell Grant
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Since 1972, when the U.S. government created the federal Pell grant, tens of millions of students from low-income backgrounds have received need-based aid to pursue their postsecondary credentials and degrees. Pell grants are critical for many of the individuals we serve. But you might not know that every year Congress sets a new limit for the annual Pell grant.
Negotiations are currently underway to determine the amount of next year’s federal Pell grant. In the U.S. Senate, there is bipartisan agreement of a $250 increase so that the maximum grant would be $7,645 for next year. In the U.S. House of Representatives, the current proposal is to freeze the Pell grant as well as eliminate Federal Work Study and Supplement Educational Opportunity Grants.
NCAN has set up an easy way to contact Ohio’s two U.S. senators (Brown and Portman) and your U.S. representatives (Brown, Joyce, Kaptur, Miller or Sykes) to ask for them to support an increase to the Pell grant. You don’t even have to know the name of your representative; it gets automatically filled in once you provide your home address!
Please consider taking three minutes to complete this email asking our elected officials to support increasing the Pell.
Read More
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Adult Learner Scholarship
Embark on your educational journey with the College Now Adult Learner Program Scholarship! If you're an adult learner age 19 and older who has taken a break of one year or more after high school, this scholarship is your chance to receive financial assistance for your postsecondary educational goals. Whether you're pursuing your first bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a non-degree certificate or license in a vocational or technical program, we're dedicated to supporting you.
Don't miss out on this opportunity – apply now through April 30, 2024.
Learn More
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College Now Traditional Scholarship
Spread the word about the College Now Traditional Scholarship! To qualify, students must attend a College Now-served high school, maintain a cumulative weighted GPA of at least 2.5, and achieve a minimum ACT composite score of 18 or a combined verbal and math SAT score of 960.
The application deadline is March 27, 2024.
Apply now and encourage other high school seniors to do the same!
Apply Today
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Cleveland Foundation Scholarships
College Now manages more than 60 Cleveland Foundation scholarships. These scholarships vary in criteria and scope, and there is something for nearly everyone.
By completing the general application, students can be considered for dozens of scholarships. Please note that while the general application covers many scholarships, others require a separate application.
Apply by March 13, 2024!
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Signal Cleveland: FAFSA Changes Explained
College Now was recently featured in a Signal Cleveland article, taking a closer look at the new FAFSA. The article delves into the challenges faced during the initial soft launch of the FAFSA on Dec. 31, as well as insights from Kate Schwab, senior director of Advising Programs & Services at College Now.
The new FAFSA is now available for students and families to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Read more to learn about changes in the new FAFSA, remembering what the FAFSA may get you and details on College Now's upcoming FAFSA workshops.
Read More
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WKYC-TV3: FAFSA form glitches
Nancy Dunn, senior manager of Advising Programs & Services, sat down with WKYC to discuss FAFSA form glitches, shedding light on her personal experience in completing the form and highlighting the challenges applicants were facing due to intermittent online availability.
Watch to learn more about the insights and challenges present before the form issues were resolved.
Watch Here
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Fox 8: College Now part of Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Community Resource Center
Bailey Capelle, director of Adult Programs and Services, was recently featured on Fox 8’s “Kickin’ it with Kenny,” discussing College Now’s role in the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s new Community Resource Center. This innovative center takes a fresh approach to address the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals, recognizing that incomplete education is a root cause of food insecurity. Our adult programs team is actively involved at College Now’s Food Bank location from Tuesday to Friday and two Saturdays each month.
Watch Segment
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WKYC-TV3: Mentoring program receives grant from TEGNA
Dr. Michele Scott Taylor, College Now president, and Nicki Price, mentor recruitment manager, were recently interviewed on WKYC’s “We The People” after securing a $5,000 grant from the station’s parent company, TEGNA.
This grant will allow us to continue to make strides in our mentor recruitment efforts.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to TEGNA and WKYC for their support in furthering our mission.
Watch Here
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Subscribe to our Parent/Student Newsletter!
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Subscribe to our Parent/Student newsletter and stay in the loop with the latest news, events and important student updates from College Now! Be the first to know about upcoming workshops, scholarship opportunities and specific monthly tips and resources to support your high school student in preparing for their postsecondary educational journeys.
Don't miss out!
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Post Office Plaza
1500 West 3rd Street, Suite 125
Cleveland, OH 44113
216.241.5587
collegenowgc.org
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