Hosted on March 11, 2021, the training was delivered by Lindsay Dusard, Program Associate, AnLar; with participation from Aaron Washington, Management and Program Analyst at the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), U.S. Department of Education; and David Bartnicki, Policy Specialist at Federal Student Aid (FSA), U.S. Department of Education.
For many refugee youth and adults, accessing financial aid determines whether or not they will be able to pursue their postsecondary academic goals. While supporting clients in applying for federal financial aid can be a daunting task, having a strong understanding of the policies and processes can make it far less intimidating. In this webinar, participants learn about federal financial aid opportunities available to ORR-eligible populations, frequently encountered barriers, and strategies and resources for efficiently supporting clients through the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) process. It also includes case studies featuring real life scenarios in which participants will identify the specific actions needed for clients to successfully obtain federal financial aid.
This webinar is aimed at all service providers who work with clients interested in postsecondary education, especially those who have encountered difficulty navigating the financial aid process. It is applicable to those who wish to better understand federal financial aid, including important considerations for refugees, asylees, SIVs, victims of trafficking, and Cuban/Haitian entrants.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
- Define key terms related to financial aid and eligibility determinants;
- Summarize federal financial aid opportunities available to ORR-eligible populations;
- Understand how the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility and awards;
- Describe common obstacles to obtaining federal financial aid and how to overcome them; and – Refer clients and colleagues to financial aid resources.
