Dutchess County Youth Services Offers Free College Planning Seminars for Students & Families
Dutchess County Youth Services is partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension to present two free information seminars for high school students and their parents or caregivers to help plan for college. There will be two seminars held – “Creating Your Path to College” on Monday, September 28th and “How to Pay for College Without Going Broke” onMonday, October 26th. Individuals and families can choose to attend one or both. Both seminars will be presented by Stephanie Mauro, founder and President of College Planning 101 and will be Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm & Home Center located at 2715 Route 44 in Millbrook from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
The seminars will also have information for students who have special needs including about how to best prepare for college as well as take advantage of special services that may be available to them to ensure their chosen college is the right fit for their needs.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, “Members of our Dutchess County Youth Council identified college planning assistance as an important youth need in our community. We are particularly pleased to have a component for students with special needs that can help make the challenging college decision making process a little easier to navigate.”
CREATING YOUR PATH TO COLLEGE Monday, September 28th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
This seminar will give students a timeline for high school years that will get them ready to apply for colleges. Students will learn how to keep track of important events and successes in high school and create a resume they can continue to work with as they progress through school. They will learn about the differences in the ACT & SAT tests and gain an understanding as to which test they would do their best. The seminar also explores 504 vs. IEPs and how to evaluate & select the right college.
HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WITHOUT GOING BROKE! Monday, October 26th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Students and parents will learn what the differences are between the FAFSA and CSS Profile financial aid forms, how they affect the cost of college, what financial aid really means to a family and how need is determined. The seminar will review parental and student assets that take away from qualifying for financial aid, how the financial aid system works and why it’s important to have expected family contribution (EFC) calculated before the student visits colleges. This seminar will give parents/caregivers an understanding of federal and private loan programs, and the importance of planning in advance.
Registration is requested. Please email Karla.Friedle@dfa.state.
