FAFSA public service announcements airing on Spanish and English stations

Houston’s Spanish and English TV stations have partnered with HISD to help high school seniors apply for and receive financial aid to pursue higher education. All local stations are running public service announcements (PSAs) produced by the HISD Multimedia Department to encourage seniors and their parents to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA gives students access to $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds made available by the federal government.

The PSAs feature HISD grads, like Brenda Cazares, who are now in college or who have graduated from college as a result of applying for FAFSA.  Cazares recently graduated from the University of Texas and is now applying to graduate school. She is the first in her family to pursue higher education and admits that her mother was skeptical at first when she told her free college money could be had, just by filling out the FAFSA.

“Had I not applied for FAFSA, I would not be where I am today,” said Cazares. “It paid for me to go to college.

[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/114663894″ width=”500″ height=”280″ responsive=”no”]

[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/114664365″ width=”500″ height=”280″ responsive=”no”]

In addition to running the PSAs, Univision 45 recently ran a half-hour television program guiding parents and students through the process of applying for FAFSA and TAFSA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid). If you missed the program, click here to watch.

Univision 45 will also be hosting a FAFSA phone bank on Wednesday, Feb. 18, starting at 5 p.m. Volunteers from HISD and from the Center for Houston’s Future will be available throughout the evening to answer questions about FAFSA, TAFSA, and other available financial aid.