siuDE.com

While many students have not thought as far ahead as midterms, financial aid workers said they should start thinking about next year.

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, and staffers are reminding students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Financial Aid Director Billie Jo Hamilton said the office needs the applications by April 1.

"This is the time of year that students start asking about financial aid," Hamilton said. "We just kind of get the word out wherever we can."

In past years, the Financial Aid Office has hosted events throughout the month to help notify students, but Hamilton said the office is no longer hosting events because of poor student attendance. Students will be notified of financial aid deadlines through e-mail, Hamilton said.

Jon Pace, a junior from Skokie studying hospitality and tourism, said he had financial aid for his first two years at SIUC. Pace said he lost his financial aid this year because his parents reported higher earnings on their taxes.

"I started taking out loans this year because of it," Pace said.

Without his initial financial aid, Pace said he wouldn't have been able to attend the university.

Hamilton said 79 percent of SIUC students are on financial aid.

Andrew Berg is not one of them.

Berg, a senior from Mundelein studying forestry, said his tuition is paid for by money set aside by his grandfather and without that, he wouldn't have been able to afford SIUC.

"Most other students probably need financial aid," Berg said. "Especially if they don't have something like I do."

Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 270 or mleroux@siu.edu.

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