Purdue University North Central will have a Financial Aid Marathon to help students and parents complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) paperwork from 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 through 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 28 in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building. 
The event is free and is open to all students and parents of students preparing to apply for college financial aid, including loans, scholarships, grants and work-study. Many private scholarships also require the FAFSA.
For 30 consecutive hours, any college-bound student and their parents, may stop in, email or call to seek assistance or to ask questions.
The FAFSA application must be filed by the March 10 deadline and the FAFSA is required to qualify for most forms of financial aid.
Trained staff and computers will be available to allow participants to complete and file the FAFSA. There will be e-mail and instant messenger capabilities during the session and an open phone line to take incoming questions. The email address is pnctoday@pnc.edu; AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is pnctoday and telephone, 877-PNC 2010 (762-2010).
Those who intend to complete the FAFSA online must have an electronic Personal Identification Number (PIN). That can be obtained online prior to filing at www.pin.ed.gov, or can be obtained online at the Financial Aid Marathon. Both the parent and the student will need a PIN in order to sign and complete the FAFSA.
Those who intend to complete the FAFSA at the Financial Aid Marathon should be sure to bring:
- A copy of student and parent 2009 completed Federal taxes - 1040, 1040a,1040ez and 2009 W-2 forms. If the tax forms have not been completed, numbers can be estimated for the FAFSA using the W-2, if necessary.
- Statements showing the value of investments such as stocks and bonds.
- Statements of the student's and parent's balances of checking, savings and cash on hand.
- Any other income, including Social Security benefits.
- Both the student and parent birth dates and social security numbers.
The student's financial aid award is based on a formula derived by the federal government. The maximum state grant that a full-time student may receive is based on the college of choice's tuition and fee structure. For example, the maximum state grant that a PNC student could receive each year is about $5,500. Indiana has the March 10 deadline for submission of the FAFSA. In order for students to receive the following grants, they must apply in the academic year that they plan to attend college.
Examples of the many potential awards include:
Higher Education Awards and Freedom of Choice Grants
The Frank O'Bannon Grant program includes several awards. Grant funds for students attending public or proprietary colleges are called Higher Education Awards. For those enrolled at private colleges, the Grant is split into the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Grant. Students must meet the General Education Requirements (GERS) and enroll full time to receive funding. Federal LEAP/SLEAP funds (based on financial need) might be part of the grant.
Academic Honors and Core 40 Diploma Grants
Academic Honors and Core 40 Diploma grants are offered only to Frank O'Bannon Grant recipients who have financial need and who graduate from an eligible Indiana high school with an Academic Honors or Core 40 diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 2.0 respectively on a 4.0 scale. Graduating with either diploma does not guarantee financial aid.
21st Century Scholars Scholarship
Affirmed 21st Century Scholars who began the program in the seventh grade must graduate from an eligible Indiana high school with a final cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition to the General Education Requirements (GERS), students must enroll full time at an eligible Indiana college and abstain from criminal activity and the illegal use of controlled substances including alcohol. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the loss of the scholarship.
The programs are highlighted at http://www.in.gov/ssaci/programs/g-info.html.
For more about financial aid or the Financial Aid Marathon call the Financial Aid office at 877-PNC 2010 (762-2010).