Early Awareness and Outreach Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the Early Awareness and Outreach Committee is to engage with financial aid administrators & associates in the state to promote early college planning initiatives at the middle school & high school levels with the knowledge that the cost of college is the greatest challenge for underrepresented and low-income populations. We also act as an early awareness and financial aid resource for MASFAA members as well as high school and college preparation counselors so that they may remain educated, engaged, and effective as professionals.

Activities

1. Expanding the partnership with the State’s GEAR UP programs, guidance communities, and institution presidents.
2. Developing and implementing an annual MASFAA Carnival of Learning for middle-school students, which is hosted at different middle schools throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts each year.
3. Visit underrepresented High Schools and organizations throughout the Commonwealth to present on the financial aid process.
4. Providing training and presentations to MASFAA members for outreach and working with MASFAA committees to achieve these goals.

Goals & Objectives

1. To create new and strengthen current MASFAA partnerships with community leaders, officials, and citizens who serve the communities of Massachusetts.
2. To continue and improve our efforts at collaborating with the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Gear Up, MEFA, and the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Aid to promote early awareness of financial aid and college access.
3. To continue to develop, improve, and implement an annual Carnival of Learning event serving Middle School students in different communities around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by offering high-quality early awareness programs.
4. To increase financial aid awareness for first-generation and low-income students and families
5. To encourage MASFAA members to volunteer at the Carnival of Learning Events without an active commitment to the committee.
6. To increase the presence of MASFAA and the EA&O Committee across all of Massachusetts.
7. To improve the quality and content of our EA&O resources.

Resources

Documents

Committee Members

Interested in being a committee member?  Fill out the volunteer form and we will be in touch!