MEFA Institute: Online Training And Webinars
September 27, 2023 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
Financial Aid 101 for School Counselors
This webinar provide school counselors and college access professionals with an overview of the college financial aid process, including details on financial aid applications and eligibility, how colleges determine how much aid to offer, and information on financial aid offers. This webinar is for counselors who want to get a good understanding of the basics of the financial aid process. Live transcription will be available.
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September 28, 2023 2:30 - 3:30pm Live Webinar
A Deep Dive into the CSS Profile
This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals, presented by Gail Holt of Amherst College, introduces the nuts and bolts of the CSS Profile, a financial aid application required by roughly 200 colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies across the country. Topics include tips on completing the CSS Profile, specific financial and household data collected, and how colleges and universities use the application information. Live transcription will be available.
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October 11, 2023 2:30 - 3:30pm Live Webinar
College Admissions Overview
The college search and application process can be overwhelming for students. This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals, presented by Andrew Carter, Deputy Director of Admission at College of the Holy Cross, provides key information that will help you guide students through applying to college. Topics include current trends in admissions, building a balanced list of colleges, and the different components of the college application including transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Live Transcription will be available.
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October 26, 2023 4:00 - 5:00pm Live Webinar
Supporting Undocumented Students in the College Planning Process
While undocumented students face many barriers to college, it is still possible for them to get a college education. In this webinar, presented by Andrea Keenan, Director of College and Career Counseling at Excel Academy Charter Schools, attendees learn about admissions standards at both public and private universities, leading into a discussion about how to maximize credits and time for DACA and undocumented students through dual-enrollment and concurrent enrollment opportunities across states, high schools, and community colleges. There’s also a discussion about financing options for students with different documentation statuses. Live transcription will be available.
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December 6, 2023 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
Understanding MA State Financial Aid
This webinar provides an overview of the state-based financial aid programs in Massachusetts. Join Dr. Clantha McCurdy, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Access and Student Financial Assistance, as she discusses each of these programs and highlights some initiatives by the Commonwealth of MA and Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). Live transcription will be available.
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December 13, 2023 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
A Deep Dive into the FAFSA
This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals will provide a detailed overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including step-by-step instructions on completing the application, helpful tips on answering questions correctly, and important next steps. Live transcription will be available.
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January 18, 2024 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
Learn about FAFSA Completion Reports
In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has created near real-time school and student-level FAFSA completion reports within Edwin Analytics. These live reports allow schools and districts to monitor whether seniors have completed and submitted their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which they must submit in order to apply for federal and state financial student aid for college. The Department encourages all school counselors to have access to Edwin. Join in this webinar with presenter Nyal Fuentes, College and Career Readiness Coordinator at DESE, to learn about this important tool and how it can help your school and your students. Live transcription will be available.
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January 31, 2024 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
Helping Students and Parents Approach the College Choice Process Systematically
This webinar, presented by Dr. Amanda Sterk, Director of Accelerated Programs, Florida Southwestern State College and Dr. Timothy Poynton, Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, two experienced educators with a passion for bringing tools and strategies to school counselors, help you assist your students with the college choice process using a strategy called LEADS. You can be able to take the strategies and tools shared during this webinar and immediately start using them as your work with students and families. Live transcription will be available.
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February 29, 2024 2:30 - 3:30pm Live Webinar
Everything You Need to Know about Tuition Break
Did you know that New England residents can enroll at out-of-state public colleges at a discount? In this webinar, presented by Jonathan Gowin, Director of Tuition Break for the New England Board of Higher Education, you’ll learn more about Tuition Break, a savings program specifically for New England residents that can save families approximately $9,000 per year. Over 2,500 degree programs are available. Register to learn more! Live transcription will be available.
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March 20, 2024 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
College Admissions & MEFA Pathway
This webinar provides key information that help participants guide students through applying to college. Topics include current trends in admissions, building a balanced list of colleges, the different components of the college application including transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation and how to incorporate MEFA Pathway into the college admissions process. Life transcription will be available.
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March 27, 2024 8:30 - 9:30am Live Webinar
Helping Your Students Understand Financial Aid Offers and Pay the College Bill
This webinar provides valuable guidance as you help high school seniors who have received college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due for each college, and methods for paying the college bill. Live transcription will be available.
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March 28, 2024 2:30 - 3:30pm Live Webinar
Getting First-Generation Students to the End
Are you interested in supporting first-generation students through the college application process and their college years? Join this interactive webinar for counselors, college access professionals, and college administrators to learn more about some tools that can help first-generation students survive and thrive. The presenters will discuss who are considered first-generation students, the variances that exists in the population, the issues and hurdles students face before and after college acceptance, and how we can all help them succeed. Life transcription will be available.
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