A FAFSA completion event is coming to a school near you.

FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form used to secure federal and institutional financial aid, grants and loans for college.

Local high schools are participating in FAFSA events that offer free assistance helping students and families complete the form.

Graduation Matters Montana is working with the Student Assistance Foundation to make sure students don’t leave federal student aid dollars on the table.

“Our partnership with the Student Assistance Foundation has meant more Montana students are accessing higher education,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said in a press release. “In fact, as a result of the Graduation Matters Montana-SAF College Readiness Fund, Montana students have accessed $4.2 million more in federal student aid over the last three years.”

This year, $50,000 has been awarded to Montana communities, including $1,200 to Columbia Falls, $2,500 to Libby, $3,000 to Ronan and $2,400 to Troy to hold financial aid nights.

With the money, schools are providing incentives such as door prizes, fuel cards, gift certificates, college supplies and free food to increase student and family participation.

The following schools are holding FAFSA events:

n Polson High School — From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday in the library.

n Columbia Falls High School — On Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the career center and from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library. For more information call Linda Kaps at 892-6500, extension 262.

n Bigfork High School — From 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 9 in the library. For more information, call Tyson Roe at 837-7420, extension 226.

n Flathead Valley Community College — Assistance will be available to all students from noon to 6 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science in Room 120.

For more information visit www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.smartaboutcollege.org.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].