UPWARD BOUND WINTER 2016 NEWSLETTER COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY WE ARE LOCATED AT: CSB/SJU MARY COMMONS 221A 37 SOUTH COLLEGE AVE. ST. JOSEPH, MN 56374 WWW.CSBSJU.EDU/UPWARD-BOUND STAFF: Ben Shapiro Program Director (320)363-5887 Shelley Gemza Program Advisor (320)363-5351 Chris Young Program Advisor (320)363-5268 Stacy Steil Program Assistant (320)363-5268 Hello Upward Bound students and families! As Winter break approaches, the UB staff would like to update you on what’s been happening. Our seniors have been hard at work applying to colleges. Senior parents should refer to the bottom of this page for information on the upcoming process for applying for financial aid. Our second Saturday session of the year was held on November 7th. The morning portion of the day was re- served for grade–specific break out sessions. Seniors worked on college and scholarship applications, juniors took a practice ACT exam and sophomores and 9th graders researched careers. After a pizza lunch, the afternoon was spent watching a docu- mentary on first-generation students. Our next Saturday ses- sion is scheduled for January 30th at which we plan to attend a play at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. Look for attend- ance confirmation slips to arrive soon. As always, feel free to call our office with questions or concerns. FINANCIAL AID AND THE FAFSA In order to receive most types of financial aid, you will need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Applicaon for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is available every year starng Janu- ary 1st. Because the FAFSA takes me, you are encouraged to complete your taxes early in order to start the applicaon as soon as possible your senior year. To get ready to file, you should make sure you have the following: *Your social security number *Your drivers license *Your parents’ and your own most recent tax return(s) *Your parents’ most recent business and investment records Go to fafsa.ed.gov when you are ready to begin. FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION NIGHTS Willmar HS Sauk Rapids Rice HS College of St. Benedict January 28th January 7th February 1st 6:30 PM 7:00 PM PAC 7:00 PM Gorecki UPWARD BOUND Nuuring Dreams Inspiring Action Empowering Lives