A Chilton County Schools FYE (Financing Your Education) program will be held in the Chilton County High School cafeteria Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. to provide seniors and their parents with financial aid information for college.

Auburn University Montgomery Scholarship Manager Kate Bartlett will give a presentation on how to apply for financial aid and will answer questions from the audience.

In the past, high schools in the county have held separate financial aid informational meetings, but counselors decided to pool their efforts and hold one meeting instead.

“This is the first year it is going to be a countywide event,” CCHS counselor James Taylor said. “We just thought it would be a good idea if we collaborated on it.”

Taylor and Verbena High School counselor Christina Cochran organized the program with help from other local high school guidance counselors.

The program is free to attend and open to seniors, and their parents, from all high schools in Chilton County.

No pre-registration is required to attend.

“Juniors are welcome to come, but it’s more for the seniors,” Taylor said. “We encourage [parents] to come because we don’t want kids doing this solo. We want parents to be a part of the process, especially since a large part of the process is their income tax paperwork.”

Taylor said parents may bring their tax paperwork to the program if they are comfortable doing so, as well as something to take notes with during the presentation.

Taylor added that families could fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms if they have filed their taxes.

“FAFSA is online,” Taylor said. “They can go ahead and begin the process of filling it out. We encourage them to do it as soon as possible.”

FAFSA information and forms are available at Fafsa.ed.gov.

Taylor said he hopes Tuesday’s program draws numerous people in from different schools.

“Some people are closer tied to their individual school, but we hope this is a way to bring all schools together to increase college enrollment,” Taylor said. “We’re just excited. We hope for a good turnout, and we plan to make this an annual event.”