Financial Aid Workshops Planned

Students who are planning to attend college or are already in college, should be aware of some significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. As most students – and their families – realize, the FAFSA must be completed before a student can be considered for federal and state financial aid, as well as many private scholarships.

According to Lisa Kramer, financial aid director at Morrison Institute of Technology in Morrison, Ill., starting with the 2017-18 application cycle, the following changes will occur:

• Students can submit a FAFSA earlier. Students will be able to file a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year. (In previous years the FAFSA didn’t become available until January 1.)
• Students will use earlier income information. Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information.

“The financial aid process can seem overwhelming, but Morrison Tech has resources to help you navigate through it,” Kramer said. Morrison Tech will hold a financial aid workshop for the public on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Kramer said students and their families do not have to be enrolled at Morrison Tech to attend the session. “This workshop is open to everyone who will be completing a FAFSA for the 2017-18 academic year and in future years.”

Two other financial aid workshops will be held in conjunction with Morrison Tech’s campus visit days for prospective students on Monday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 5 at approximately 1 p.m.

“A campus visit day is a great opportunity to learn more about what Morrison Tech has to offer,” said Larry Libberton, director of admissions. “Prospective students will be informed of the Associate in Applied Science degrees we award - Mechanical Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology and Network Administration.” Visit day activities begin at 10:30 a.m. with check in beginning at 10 a.m.

During the morning, prospective students will take a campus tour, visit the residence hall and meet with current students. College staff members will be available to answer questions. The financial aid workshop will be held after lunch.

Persons interested in attending either of the campus visit days or the financial aid workshop should register at www.morrisontech.edu, or by calling or emailing the admissions office: 815.772.7218, ext. 206 or admissions at admissions@morrisontech.edu.

“Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites,” Kramer noted. “Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. To work on your FAFSA during the Financial Aid Workshop, you will need to have your FSA ID; you can create your FSA ID at www.fafsa.gov.”

About Morrison Institute of Technology - Whether you are a recent high school graduate or looking to enhance your current professional position, Morrison Institute of Technology, located in Morrison, Illinois, is the place to start. Morrison Institute of Technology will help you prepare for the life you want. We offer a cutting edge education in Engineering Technology and Network Administration. You will find Morrison Institute of Technology offers condensed coursework in a small classroom environment. We provide a personal touch to your education process. Since its founding in 1973, we have not lost sight of our founding mission: to provide an academic foundation on which the student may continue a lifelong learning process on a formal or informal basis. For additional information, contact Larry Libberton, Director of Admissions, ext. 227 or visit www.morrisontech.edu.