Albany - College-bound students and their families may be overwhelmed by the thought of paying for college in the months ahead. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) announced its annual month-long campaign to help students and families understand the financial aid process and to encourage completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - one of the most important tools in securing financial aid - early in the New Year.

"While students may still be deciding which college is the best fit, the process of applying for financial aid begins now," said Elsa Magee, Acting President of HESC, the state's student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college.

The HESC website simplifies the financial aid application process for college-bound students and their families with helpful tips and tools, and a step-by-step tutorial for completing the FAFSA, as well as information about federal, state and college-sponsored aid, including grants, such as New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Financial aid information sessions and free "Complete the FAFSA" workshop events are being offered at locations across the state.

Students and families with questions about the FAFSA may also call a toll-free HESC hotline, 1-800-808-1790, every Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. throughout the month. FAFSA questions may be emailed anytime to FAFSAHelp@hesc.org.

About HESC
HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC's core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2010-2011, HESC helped more than 413,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $991 million in grants, scholarships and federal student loan guarantees, including $855 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).