The application cycle for scholarships and financial aid for those who plan to attend Cochise College in 2010-2011 has begun. Applications for both types of assistance are available online at www.cochise.edu. Staff of the Cochise College Financial Aid Office can provide assistance and will be available at various financial aid information events this semester.
Last year, the Cochise College Foundation awarded more than $525,000 in scholarships. A wide variety of scholarships is available. Some funds target the general student population, and others are designated for students enrolling in particular academic programs or for those residing in specific areas. Scholarships also are available for part-time students.
This year, scholarship applications will be accepted through Monday, April 19, with awardees notified in time for the fall 2010 semester. Scholarship applications are submitted using an online system called STARS, which is accessible at www.cochise.edu. Applicants click their way through an online questionnaire and submit documentation in support of their application.
Students applying for federal and state financial aid are encouraged to do so as soon as possible after January 1 in the year they plan to attend school. In recent years, Cochise College has processed more than $8 million in government financial assistance annually, with the number of applications exceeding 3,000 during the current academic year.
In order to apply, students need to have a copy of their previous year’s tax returns or, if they are dependents, their parent’s tax returns. Students can apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.gov.
Details, instructions and tips for applying for scholarships and financial aid are available on the Cochise College Web site at www.cochise.edu. Cochise College staff members also will provide information and answer questions at high school financial aid nights, as well as at College Goal Sunday, an event to help students applying for aid. College Goal Sunday is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Sierra Vista Campus and the Nogales/Santa Cruz Center. A similar event is planned for the Willcox Center on Saturday, Jan. 30.