Of course, we hope you high school seniors filled out your FAFSA early in January, based on your 2012 tax returns. Now it is time to file your 2013 taxes and then log in into your FAFSA account and make corrections using your 2013  income.

If you need help filing your taxes, Oregon has a non-profit that helps low-income families complete this step. I recommend using them, as I believe it is important for students to learn the basics of filing taxes. Almost anyone can fill out a basic tax form with a little bit of help. Go to this website for more information. (Check to see if your state offers a similar service).

I hope you are all planning to attend the Financial Aid Information nights at your school or in your district. These nights typically go over the details of filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which makes it much easier to fill out that application when January 1 comes around. The FAFSA can not be filed until January 1 for students entering college in the Fall, 2013. Please be sure to go to fafsa.ed.gov and NOT fafsa.com. The government site is free; the other site charges you money. You can get someone to help you for free.

A free FAFSA Information session is being sponsored by the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, January 12, from 11:00am-12:30pm and from 1:00pm-2:30pm. It will be held at the NELA Center for Student Success, 1500 NE Irving, near the Lloyd Center. Space is limited, so reserve your spot in advance.  Call 503.222.0280 or email [email protected]. Alex Gonzalez will be the very knowledgeable presenter.

You can also get personal help with the FAFSA by attending College Goal Oregon (www.collegegoaloregon.gov). All the PCC campuses will be helping on January 5, from 9am until 12noon. There are other locations and dates listed on the website.

Also, check the financial aid page for each college to which you are applying. Many of the small, selective colleges also require the CSS Profile to be completed. This is available through the College Board at www.collegeboard.org. This is not free to file (unless you are recognized as having a low income by the college board when the form is complete, in which case they will allow you to send the Profile to six colleges for free) and boasts many more questions. It is available now. Some colleges also have their own additional financial aid forms. I recommend that all financial aid forms be completed by January 30, at the absolute latest. These forms put you in line for money and colleges have limited funds. Get in line early, so you will be offered the best financial aid package each college can offer.