Kalamazoo Area FAFSA® Days

Kalamazoo Promise, KVCC, WMU and K College Collaborate to Provide FAFSA Help

Kalamazoo, MI - In an effort to get more money for Kalamazoo area students to attend college, Kalamazoo's three post-secondary institutions, together with the Kalamazoo Promise, will hold two free workshops to assist college-bound students in completing the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

Kalamazoo Area FAFSA® Days are April 30 from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Promise, located at 180 E. Water St., Suite 2005 in downtown Kalamazoo, and May 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus at 6767 W. O Ave. in Kalamazoo.

The FAFSA® form is required for students to be considered for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds and loans at most colleges and universities nationwide. In addition, many states and colleges use FAFSA® information to determine eligibility for state and school aid.

"There's a lot of money out there to help with the costs of attending college," said Alisha Cederberg, associate dean of student experience at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. "I encourage anyone who needs assistance or who has questions to attend one of our two Kalamazoo Area FAFSA® Days."

According to the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) FAFSA Tracker, FAFSA® completion rates are down considerably across the state.

"The process of completing the FAFSA® can be intimidating but shouldn't deter people from submitting it," said Shashanta James, director of student financial aid at Western Michigan University. "With help from our partner institutions and the Kalamazoo Promise, we are providing free support in hopes of getting more money for Kalamazoo area students to attend the college or university of their choice."

Students should attend Kalamazoo Area FAFSA® Days with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring their completed 2021 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms and other 2021 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Adult students, over the age of 24, may attend alone and bring their completed 2021 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 form or other 2021 income and benefits information.

For more information, contact finaid@kvcc.edu or call 269.488.4340.