The County Board is deliberating over the proposed
FY2018 budget at a series of meetings, which began Oct. 24 and continue today. The budget hearings will be webcast and archived on www.lakecounty.tv.
The proposed budget is balanced and sustainable. At the budget hearings, board
members will carefully review the budget, ask questions, and may propose
changes. The final budget will be adopted in November.
The proposed budget continues to maintain our core
services and invests in both our physical and technological infrastructure.
Lake County remains fiscally stable primarily due to the county board’s focus
on strategic, data-driven decision-making, and the board’s commitment to fiscal
responsibility.
Lake County homeowners have been receiving letters from two
companies regarding the deed to their homes. The letters look official and
threatening, but the true purpose of the mailing is to get you to spend your
money with a fake company. Watch this video to
learn how to protect yourself. If you have any questions or need a copy of your
deed, contact the Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office at 847-377-2575.
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The
Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office provides a tool for homeowners to help protect
their biggest investment. Property Check is a free, easy-to-use, 24/7 online
service that will alert subscribers, via email and/or text message, whenever a
document is recorded against their name and/or property. The sign-up process only takes a few minutes. Once you enter your name
notification criteria, you will only need to update your account information if
your email address or cell phone number changes. Sign up!
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In September, Governor
Bruce Rauner sent a request to the President of the United States asking that
he approve federal assistance to help people in the northern Illinois region,
including Lake County, recover from the record flooding and severe storms. Lake
County has not received a response to this request.
The Small Business
Association (SBA) has announced a 15-day grace period for Lake County residents
impacted by the July 2017 floods to apply for low-interest, physical damage
loans. The filing deadline is now Nov. 1, 2017. Loans up
to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or
destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to
$40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. For
more information on eligibility, loan amounts, and other requirements, please
view this SBA
Fact Sheet.
The deadline to apply for Economic Injury loans, such
as loans to assist small businesses and non-profits through the recovery
period, is May 16, 2018.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan
Application (ELA) on the SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and applications may also be
obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955
(1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
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The flooding, which impacted Lake County this past summer as well as hurricanes impacting many parts of the country all remind us of the importance of coming together as a family and community to prepare. Lake County has a variety of resources to help you prepare for an emergency. Alert Lake County is your emergency preparedness resource, and watch this video for tips to get emergency alerts.
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Whether your child will be a ghost, a goblin, a
clown, or princess, get ready because it’s time for Halloween in Lake County!
View the trick-or-treat hours for your area. |
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Turn in your unused or expired
medications as the Lake County Sheriff's Office partners with the DEA for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Collection sites will be put in place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the following locations:
- Barrington Police Department, 400 N. Northwest Highway
- Village of Beach
Park, 11270 W Wadsworth Road, Beach Park
- Long Grove Fire
Protection District, 1165 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
Items that will be accepted are:
expired solid prescription drugs, unwanted and unused prescription drugs,
over-the-counter drugs (pills), and controlled and non-controlled substances.
Syringes, injectable drugs, IV solutions and liquid products will not
be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.
Remember, you can dispose unused
prescriptions or over-the-counter medications safely any time at prescription
drug disposal boxes across the county. View the
list of locations.
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Preventing drug use among youth is a constant battle that communities
must fight. Lake County joins the nation to observe Red Ribbon Week, which
continues through Oct. 31 and its commitment to promote a healthy,
drug-free lifestyle. To help, the County offers resources to help schools and
parents address this important issue. Learn more |
Protect yourself and fight the flu by getting a flu
shot. The Lake County Health Department offers the flu vaccine by
appointment at the Immunizations Clinic, 2303 Dodge Ave., Waukegan. Learn more,
including cost. Retail clinics, pharmacies, and individual healthcare
providers also provide flu shots. Visit the Flu Vaccine Finder to find a convenient location. |
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Police cars, vans, SUVs, trailers, plows and other
surplus equipment from local municipalities and government agencies will be at
the Lake County Vehicle and Equipment Auction.
The
auction will also include unclaimed property found in forest preserves
throughout Lake County such as bicycles, clothing, electronics, and other
assorted items in the possession of the Lake County Forest Preserve Ranger Police Department. All
items will be sold as-is. View a complete list of the items.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 Where: Lake County Fairgrounds,
1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake
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Lake County is committed to promoting a
sustainable environment, and we have several initiatives and projects underway to
make progress toward this strategic goal and core value. Recently, the Lake
County Board approved a contract with a professional consulting firm that
provides expertise in sustainability that will help advance specific tasks over
the next year. They include: grant opportunities, energy audits for selected
County facilities, a waste reduction program/food scrap collection (composting)
pilot program at the Lake County Jail, and completion of a baseline carbon
footprint for Lake County. Visit our Sustainable Lake County website to
find out ways you can help promote sustainability!
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Don’t Throw Out Your
Pumpkin! Drop It Off to be Composted Drop off your
pumpkin at a free compost dumpster between 9 a.m. and noon Nov. 4 at the Gurnee
Village Hall parking lot, 325 N. O’Plaine Road. Any pumpkins, gourds and other
organics can be included. Please remove candles, yarn, plastic or other
decorations before dropping off your pumpkin. Learn more
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Household Chemical Waste
Collection in Mundelein The Solid Waste
Agency of Lake County will hold its next household chemical waste collection
from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Mundelein Metra train station, 205 N.
Archer Ave. Year-round HCW collections also are offered the second Saturday and
fourth Monday of every month, by appointment only, at the Gurnee facility.
These collections are open to Illinois residents only. View
accepted items
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Donate Your Eclipse Glasses Do you still have the glasses you used to view the solar eclipse?
Don’t throw them away! Bring glasses to one of four
locations across Lake County now through Nov. 11 as the Solid
Waste Agency of Lake County is working with Astronomers Without Borders to
bring these glasses and provide a first-hand science experience for schools in
developing countries. Please do not donate scratched, broken or torn glasses.
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Did you know Lake County roadways
have storm sewer vortexes that act as filters for road grime, oil and other
debris and help improve water quality? Watch our latest Lake County’s Dirty Jobs as
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor comes to Hawthorn Woods to clean out a vortex structure using a sewer
truck on Old McHenry Road, east of Quentin Road.
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Did you know that roundabouts, bike
paths and smart traffic signals not only can help lead to less traffic and
better fuel consumption but also help improve air quality? Watch this video as
representatives from the Lake County Division of Transportation explain how.
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The Lake County Public Works Department is
responsible for making sure we have a safe and sustainable source of drinking
water. One important step in this process is the inspection of our water
systems. The Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency (IEPA) inspects the County’s water systems every three years and reviews
each system for technical, financial and general management.
The Grandwood Park and Wildwood water systems were
inspected earlier this year with no violations, and the Countryside Lake system
is being inspected this October. In 2018, IEPA will be inspecting the
Pekara, Hawthorn Woods, Fox Lake Hills and Forest Lake water systems. In
addition to the inspections, Public Works also publishes an annual Water
Quality Report with information on the sources, treatment and chemical analysis
of each water distribution system. To
learn more, visit the Lake County Public
Works website.
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The County Board has approved an ordinance to increase
the minimum legal sales age to purchase tobacco
products to 21 in unincorporated Lake County, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Lake
County is the first county in Illinois to raise the minimum legal sales age to
21 in unincorporated areas. To date, five Lake County communities
including Deerfield, Highland Park, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, and Buffalo
Grove are among 11 municipalities in the state of Illinois to adopt Tobacco 21
ordinances.
Following the board's action, County Board Member
Steve Carlson spoke about what this ordinance can do to help protect the health
of the County's youth. Watch
now.
Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause
of disease and death in the United States and is responsible for
480,000 deaths annually. In Illinois, 6,300 youth become new daily
smokers each year. The Lake County Health Department provides FREE
one-on-one and group counseling with a certified tobacco treatment
specialist for adults looking to quit smoking or other their tobacco
use. Learn more
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Lake County Update - Pace Bus Services
Improving transportation is a
top strategic goal for the Lake County Board, which includes working with our
transit partners like Pace suburban bus service to provide services that meet
the needs of our residents and our workforce. In this edition of Lake
County Update, Linda Soto, Lake County’s
representative on the Pace Board of Directors, talks about the fixed Pace
routes in Lake County, Paratransit, the Shuttle Bug program, and new programs
being rolled out elsewhere in the region that may make their way to Lake
County, including Park-n-Ride and new Flex Lanes where express buses can move
onto the shoulder of the Tollway when traffic is congested.
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Washington
Street Thoroughfare Project Comes to an End Local officials gathered to celebrate the completion of the
Washington Street Thoroughfare Project in central Lake County. The $53 million
project included reconstructing and widening Washington Street as well as
providing a grade separation by lowering Washington Street under the CN/Metra
railroad tracks. Watch this video to learn
more. |
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 24 nationwide. By understanding and knowing the warning signs, we can bring hope to those affected by suicide and change the conversation.
Lake County is committed to helping its residents maintain their mental health and well-being, creating the Mental Health Coalition in 2016 to address the mental health crisis. Those needing crisis care and mental health assistance can use the following services 24/7.
- Individuals can speak anonymously to counselors 24 hours a day and get help by contacting the crisis call center at 847-377-8088. Information and referrals to Lake County Health Department programs are available.
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Text-A-Tip is a 24/7 anonymous text-communication system for youth needing immediate mental health assistance for themselves or a friend. Download the Lake County Help app, available at the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Within the app, select the 24-7 Text-A-Tip hotline where you will send a message to a dedicated number and receive an immediate response from a licensed clinician while remaining anonymous.
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The 2017 Lake County Summer Youth Employment Program
recently wrapped up another exciting summer as more than 200 youth gained
meaningful work experience while earning a paycheck. Funded by the Lake
County Board, the program matches youth with local worksites that offer a paid,
part-time work experience. Learn
more about the Summer Youth Employment Program. |
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The hours of operation for receiving
walk-in applications at the permit counter at the Lake County Central Permit
Facility have changed and are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This change applies to all walk-in permit
applications for the Health Department, Planning, Building and Development,
Public Works, the Division of Transportation, and the Stormwater Management
Commission. The Central Permit Facility, however, will be open at 7:30 a.m. and
will close at 4:30 p.m., so residents can still drop off applications or
paperwork if the permit counter is not staffed.
The implementation of a new County-wide
permitting system has expanded the number and types of permit applications that
customers can submit online, reducing the need for people to visit our permit
counter. Customers can now create an account to submit and pay
for many permit applications electronically and review the status of
their applications and inspections online. We analyzed traffic at our public
counters and found that less than 5% of permit applications take place before 8
a.m. or after 4 p.m. Adjusting the hours slightly will allow us to staff
our public counters more efficiently, while still meeting the needs of our Lake
County customers. For information, please
visit the Planning, Building and Development website.
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‘Live PD’ Visits Lake
County The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently
participated in the A&E Network’s “Live PD” show, which followed Sheriff’s
deputies as they gave an inside look at the many responsibilities of the
Sheriff’s Office and the calls deputies respond. Watch this
video to learn more about how the Sheriff’s Office helps keep Lake County
safe.
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Help Give the
Gift of Warmth to Veterans The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Veterans
Assistance Commission, several local law enforcement agencies, and local
high schools to collect coats and outerwear for the Lake County Law Enforcement
Veteran's Coat Drive. Donations will be taken now through Nov. 8 at County
offices and police departments across the county. View
donation locations.
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The Kids’ Korner at the Lake County Courthouse recently marked a
milestone, caring for 50,000 children. The Kids’ Korner provides a safe and fun
waiting area for children who are visiting the courthouse to testify or whose
parents or guardians are conducting court business. Watch
this video to learn more.
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Did you know you can apply for a new passport or
renewal at the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office without an appointment? You
can even get your passport picture taken. Watch this video,
available in English and Spanish to learn about the passport services provided.
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Forest Preserve News
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Hike
Lake County Challenge Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated
“Hike Lake County” trails. Complete just seven of the hikes by Nov.
30 to earn a commemorative shield. View this year’s hike locations here.
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New
Interactive Trail Map Did you hear that? The preserves are calling your name. Find your
next adventure with the new Interactive Trail Map.
This easy-to-use map will help you locate trails, preserves,
activities and amenities from your phone, tablet or computer. Start exploring today.
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Shelter Update Plan early for your family
reunion, company picnic or other group gathering to ensure your first choice of
shelter and date. Reservations for 2018 picnic shelter rentals are now being accepted. Purchase permits online, by
phone, or in person.
Spring Bluff Project Includes New Trail and Habitat Restoration Thanks to an Open
Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant from the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources, 0.7 miles of new trail will be developed at
229-acre Spring Bluff Forest Preserve in Winthrop Harbor,
converting an existing asphalt roadway to a
recreational trail. The new trail will connect to
existing trails at adjacent Illinois Beach State Park via the 7th Street
bike lanes. The project also includes building a wildlife education
and observation deck and completing habitat restoration
work within the preserve. Spring Bluff is primarily wetlands with oak
savanna and prairie.
The
land being restored is part of a greater ecological complex that supports
multiple natural landmarks, including the recent designation as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, nine endangered plant
and animal species, and 114 bird species. The expected project
completion is late 2018. View map
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Grants Received for Conservation Projects
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Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve: A $1 million Clean Water
Act grant was received from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
for work underway at Ethel’s Woods in Antioch. The
grant will fund ecological restoration of the historical North
Mill Creek riparian corridor.
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Lake Michigan Lake Plain: A $1 million grant from
the Sustain Our Great Lakes Partnership will help support continued
restoration efforts for the Lake Plain project in northeastern Lake
County. The grant, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, will be used by the Lake County Forest Preserves and the
Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain Partnership to restore
connected habitat key to sustaining and enhancing the biodiversity of the
rare Lake Michigan Lake Plain ecosystem, which is part of the Great Lakes basin. The
project will restore critical blocks of land through invasive plant
and prescribed burn management strategies to increase acreage of connected
quality habitat for the Blanding’s turtle and other federal and
state-listed species of concern. Learn more
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Gateways
Grants Open the Door for Schools As budgets
shrink, field trips are increasingly out of reach for Lake County schools,
especially in low-income communities. Since 1991, Gateways Grants have made
field trips possible for tens of thousands of students. They benefit from
“school” in outdoor and museum settings, where learning is experiential and
profound. School districts with a low-income population of 40 percent or more
are eligible. Gateways Grants cover program fees and provide a bus stipend.
Donations fully fund this program. Our goal is to raise $5,000 in Gateways
Grants by the start of the school year. Help make field trips possible.
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Strategic Plan Update
In 2015, the Chiwaukee Prairie Illinois Beach Lake Plain (Lake
Plain) was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar
Convention, an intergovernmental treaty for protection of exemplary wetland
systems around the world. In June, the Lake Plain received added recognition by
the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Wetland of Distinction. This publicly
and privately protected ecosystem connects 14 different community types along
Lake Michigan in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. Our partnership in
this restoration project supports two of five strategic directions to help us
achieve our 100-year Vision for Lake County. Learn more
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Preservation Foundation Helps Fund Ranger Training Lake County Forest Preserve Ranger Police patrol 10 percent of the land in Lake County, making ours the second largest jurisdiction. As part of their work, rangers often encounter people with emotional, cognitive, and mental health challenges. The Preservation Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved a grant for Crisis Intervention Training to provide all full-time rangers with skills to deescalate interactions with people in crisis and connect them with health services. This specialized training will directly improve public safety in your forest preserves. Learn more about how you can stay safe in the preserves with these safety alerts and tips.
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve to Undergo Improvement Set in the midst of bustling suburbs, this emerald island offers a quiet place to relax and recreate with nature. Its wide-open spaces are safe, clean and easy to explore. Four miles of gravel trails are open to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. The trails run through open areas within the preserve, crossing several creeks, skirting the reservoir and traversing restored prairie.
Within the next year, Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve will be undergoing reservoir expansion, preserve improvements, wetland mitigation and new trail construction. Visitors will enjoy 1.2 miles of additional trails that will provide two new loops east of Schaeffer Road, seven new boardwalks, two scenic overlooks and a 30-car expansion of the existing parking lot. Approximately a half-mile of the existing trail in a flood prone area will be relocated to higher ground to increase accessibility for longer periods and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Nineteen acres of new wetlands and 35 acres of prairie/savanna will be added as part of the restoration of the basin.
As part of a wetland mitigation bank, additional restoration work on the preserve’s western 65 acres will reestablish and rehabilitate native wetland habitat by returning the former farm fields to a sustainable natural condition. When complete, visitors of the preserve will be able to enjoy an additional 1.1 miles of new trails connecting an adjacent residential area and the Village of Long Grove’s soccer fields to the extensive network of existing trails within the preserve. View concept plans and project details.
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Bridge Connects Middlefork Savanna to Local Trails, Parks
At around 1:30 am on Sept. 9, the Lake County Forest Preserves
began installing a 221-foot steel pedestrian bridge over the
Metra Railway to connect trails at Middlefork Savanna Forest
Preserve to Lake Forest Academy and Townline Community Park. Watch video of installation. Other
project elements include a scenic overlook, 10-foot-wide paved trails, and
crosswalk improvements at the intersection of IL Route 60 and Academy
Drive. View
project map. This project is part of a larger effort to connect
Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve and the Middlefork Trail and Greenway to the
Des Plaines River Trail at MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa.
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The Lake County Forest Preserves is pleased to be working with the following partners and donors to make this project possible: City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest Bank & Trust, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. The Forest Preserve is the lead agency responsible for administration and coordination of the project and 60 percent of the local funding for construction costs. The Forest Preserve also secured federal funding for the project through a grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Learn more
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Connecting Trails: Nippersink Forest Preserve
Previously a seasonal retreat for camping and recreational
vehicles, this preserve is now a year-round haven for people and wildlife.
Visitors enjoy trails, picnicking, birdwatching, and nature observation. Century-old
oak trees that rise above two scenic lakes, woodlands, wetlands and marshes
offer plentiful habitat for wildlife. Extensive shoreline restoration efforts
and improved fish habitats make Nippersink a great place to fish. Anglers can
fish from shore or from two wheelchair accessible fishing piers.
The Lake County Division of Transportation is constructing a new
multi-use path along Cedar Lake Road that will connect existing trails
at Nippersink to the new path. This trail connection is part of LCDOT's
project to reconstruct Cedar Lake Road from Route 120 to Nippersink Road.
Completion of the entire project is expected by the end of 2018. View closure map. Learn more
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Drivers are reminded to be cautious of deer during the fall
breeding season. Deer will be more active and visible throughout the state,
especially at dusk and dawn. The risk
for crashes involving deer greatly increases from October through December. Follow these
safety tips.
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More
than 96,000 Lake County students from 142 schools participated in this year’s
Fall Attendance Competition. The top 10 schools in weekly attendance rate
recently were honored by the Lake County Regional Office of Education. Watch this video to learn more about
the competition. |
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College students and their parents can get help applying for college financial aid by attending a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop offered now through February 2018 at locations across Lake County. View the full schedule in English and Spanish. At these free workshops, staff will help you complete and file your FAFSA online. The FAFSA must be filled out for students to be considered for state and federal financial aid, and many colleges and universities rely on FAFSA data to determine eligibility for the institution’s own financial aid funds. Learn more, including what documents to bring to the session.
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