ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – Students and parents will learn more about the college financial aid process by attending the College Affordability and FAFSA Seminar, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, on Monday, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Round Lake High School, located at 800 High School Dr. in Round Lake.

“Applying to college can be an overwhelming experience for many students and their families,” Yingling said. “It is always helpful to know what resources are available to prospective students to make college more affordable, and while the state’s students are leaving for out-of-state universities, we need to do everything we can to keep our best and brightest in Illinois.”

Yingling will welcome experts from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to help high school students and parents understand the basics of the financial aid process, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, scholarships and grant information. Yingling will also welcome a representative from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to talk about the Illinois Commitment Program, which provides scholarships and grants that cover tuition and campus fees for families whose household income is $61,000 or less.

This spring, Yingling worked to build a stronger Illinois for working families and young people by supporting a bipartisan, balanced budget that increases funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant, which makes college more affordable for middle and lower-income students.

“Whether you’re a student or a parent, this seminar has something for everyone,” Yingling added. “Accessibility to higher education has always been one of my priorities, and I will continue fighting to ensure that our students have resources to help them be as successful as they aspire to be.”