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Philly School District Announces Student Aid Challenge

by Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Open enrollment for the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) has been moved up from January to October, giving college-bound high school students three additional months to fill out financial aid forms.

The School District of Philadelphia is trying to get the word out about the importance of this form.

Philadelphia school Superintendent Dr. William Hite announced the launch of the city's financing college initiative.

"We are announcing the FAFSA Completion Challenge," said Hite.

Ali Rogers Robinson, Executive Director of the Office of College and Career Readiness explains that FAFSA is a financial aid form.

"The Free Application For Federal Student Aid is critical to ensuring that students have access in colleges and universities that give out federal aid," said Robinson.

Senator Vincent Hughes says he'd like to see 100% of students fill out this free application.

"When you don't sign up on FAFSA, you are leaving money on the table! So be real clear about this -- all the financial aid people make their decisions around scholarships and grants and everything like that are based on filling this form out."

The form can be found online at fafsa.ed.gov.

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