Students, Parents Attend College Planning Conference

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s never too early to get ready for college.

That’s why more than 300 students, family members and educators came out for the College Goal Tennessee college planning workshop.

The event is geared toward high school and college students, plus any parents looking to go back to school.

Education experts were on-hand, giving attendees tips on financial aid and career options.

They also helped students fill out FAFSA forms, which became available October 1. The applications usually aren’t ready until January.

“It gives them more time to plan, more time for colleges to get financial aid packages to students and families sooner, so students will know what the financial outlook of paying for that college could be,” said Stacy Lightfoot, Public Education Foundation. “It’s a very, very good thing that our federal government did.”

Lightfoot recommends that those students who couldn’t attend Saturday’s conference should see their academic counselor for college and career advice.