(LINCOLN Neb. January 28, 2005) – February is Financial Aid Month and EducationQuest Foundation wants to remind college-bound Nebraskans that free services are available to help them complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Those who should complete the FAFSA include college-bound high school seniors and their parents, college-bound adults and current college students.

“Many colleges have a March 1 FAFSA deadline, which is why February is such a crucial month in the financial aid process,” said EducationQuest President Liz Fieselman.

EducationQuest is a private, nonprofit organization that provides free college planning services at its offices in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha - including FAFSA completion and electronic filing. To make an appointment, call the Kearney office at 800.666.3721, Lincoln at 800.303.3745, or Omaha at 888.357.6300.

Students and parents who wish to complete and file the FAFSA on their own can do so at www.fafsa.ed.gov. They can call an EducationQuest location if they need assistance over the phone.

To complete the FAFSA, applicants will need the following items (independent students should disregard the “parent” items):

• Department of Education Personal Identification Numbers for student and one parent (apply at www.pin.ed.gov)
• Student and parent 2004 federal tax returns and W-2s
• Value of checking/savings accounts and investments
• Amount of untaxed income
• Student’s driver’s license number
• Student and Parent Social Security Numbers
• Alien Registration Number for eligible non-citizens
• Date parents were married, separated, divorced or widowed
• Parent’s date of birth

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Through a permanent endowment, EducationQuest provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and provides community grants for programs that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.