College Options @ your library

CHICAGO –Each January, the Onslow County (N.C.) Public Library invites college-bound students and their parents or guardians to learn about “College Options @ your library.”

The library, in partnership with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply and pay for college, hosts “College Options @ your library” workshops at the main library and two branch locations.

Since 2008, the library has used the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library brand to market its annual workshop to high school seniors and their families and educate them about the various types of financial aid available to students and how they can use the resources at the library to apply for them.

A regional representative of the CFNC walks participants through the financial aid basics and the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Information about grant programs, college loans and techniques for researching scholarships, grants and career opportunities are also available for both in-state and out-of-state college applicants.

“Using @ your library helps distinguish our program from others in the area,” said the library’s communications coordinator, Marie-José Solomua, “It works with just about everything and reminds people of all the free resources available at your library.”

In promoting “College Options @ your library,” Solomua works with the superintendent of schools and area high school principals to get the word out. While the program is mainly attended by seniors and their families, students as young as sophomores are welcome to attend and learn about getting a jump start on academic scholarships. Participants are also encouraged to use the library’s computer lab to get started on submitting their forms at the close of a session.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.