Maryland Higher Education Commission

January 2008 Press Release

 

 

 

MHEC “driving” message of filing FAFSAs around town

 

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 9, 2008)

In tandem with the Maryland Transit Administration, the Maryland Higher Education Commission has embarked on driving home the message to students seeking financial aid for postsecondary education to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

All students who are seeking Maryland or Federal financial aid must file their FAFSA forms. Maryland has a priority deadline for filing the FAFSA by March 1st.

MHEC’s strategy is currently targeting Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County residents.

The bus advertisements are short and simple: “Need Money for College?; Complete the FAFSA by March 1; Visit www.MDgo4it.org.”

The signs adorn 758 MTA buses.

“This is clearly an excellent example of working with other state agencies to get a very important message out to our students that they need to file their FAFSAs to be eligible for financial aid,” Maryland Higher Education Secretary James E. Lyons, Sr., said. “The Maryland Transit Administration is providing a valuable public service and promoting a very important message to students of all ages. The Maryland Higher Education Commission is fortunate to have their assistance in this venture.”

Last year, MHEC distributed almost $110 million in need-based, merit-based and career/occupational financial aid to students attending two-year and four-year public and independent colleges and universities, and numerous private career schools.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 325,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.