Focus Group: Federal Student Aid

Posted by on February 5, 2007

It’s important for all students to believe that higher education is within their reach….regardless of their environment or background.

That’s why MEE Productions Inc. is kicking off a new campaign with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Federal Student Aid to let low-income, minority and first-generation students know about the variety of programs and student aid available to them for education and training beyond high school. This new campaign also complements our violence prevention project, The Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia, because youth who have a good education, along with meaningful career and life goals, are less likely to engage in self-destructive and dangerous behaviors.

Our primary goal over the next several months will be to raise awareness and provide action-oriented informational messages about federal student aid (grants, work study and loans) provided by the U.S. Department of Education. We are launching a six-month pilot effort in Philadelphia and Charlotte, targeting African American and Hispanic high school seniors; their parents/caregivers and other influencers (family members, older peers and advisers); college access programs; “front-line” personnel at schools, after-school and career development programs (teachers, counselors, administrators, mentors, etc.); and the community-at-large.

We invite you and your organization to become a campaign partner in this effort to promote the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We need your support to ensure a successful implementation in Philadelphia. We will be holding a series of “Chat & Chew” information sessions with local leaders, grassroots organizations and gatekeepers who are committed to supporting young people in building a better future for themselves. In these 90-minute community discussions (with refreshments) you can hear more about promoting federal student aid — our approach, collaborating partners and how you can become a part of this exciting, community-driven pilot project.

Thursday
February 8th, 2007
11:30am or 3:30pm
at MEE Productions, Inc.
340 N. 12th Street
(12th & Callowhill Sts.)
Suite 503
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Friday
February 9th, 2007
11:30am or 3:30pm
at MEE Productions, Inc.
340 N. 12th Street
(12th & Callowhill Sts.)
Suite 503
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Please RSVP if you plan to attend, so that we will have an accurate count for refreshments and materials. Also, please let us know of other community leaders that we should invite to the session, based on the work they do or their personal interests in supporting Philadelphia high school students. Please contact Aasha at acameron@meeproductions.com or Raven at rlaury@meeproductions.com or phone either of us at 215-829-4920 to RSVP or learn more about being a partner in the campaign. You can also visit our Website at http://www.meeproductions.com/college for more information about this and other projects.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our sessions with other committed individuals and organizations to increase the number of African American and Hispanic students who take advantage of financial aid and the increased career opportunities that come with post-secondary education.