School districts offer ideas for dealing with soaring college costs

Whitefish and Columbia Falls high schools have scheduled financial aid nights for parents and college-bound students next week.

Whitefish's program is Dec. 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The next night, Dec. 7, Columbia Falls will start its session at 5:30 p.m.

. On Monday, junior and senior students and parents or guardians are invited to the Whitefish High School library to learn about funding opportunities for post-secondary education. Bonnie Whitehouse, financial aid director for Flathead Valley Community College, and Garth Ferro, outreach coordinator with the Student Assistance Foundation of Montana, will present the program and answer questions.

For more information, contact Whitefish High School counselor Barb Mansfield at the guidance office, 862-8600, extension 475.

. On Tuesday, Columbia Falls counselors will present their annual financial aid night in the school's Launer Library for all interested students and parents.

Ferro will be the special presenter here. He not only has experience with the Student Assistance Foundation but, with a child currently in college, he also has insight from a parental perspective.

Working with him will be the high school's counseling staff: Terry Guidi, Barbara Norlander and Doug Cordier.

Topics will include the financial aid application process, deadlines and types of aid available to high school students.

College costs continue to outpace earning increases, Guidi said, leaving most families struggling to find a way to pay for education after high school. He and his staff will review the funding process, identify aid sources and explain financial aid options.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid and other printed information will be available that night. For more information, contact one of the counselors at 892-6500.