First generation students get help with FAFSA at boot camp

It was hosted by Latino U College Access, a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping low-income Latino students go to college.

Jade Nash

Feb 7, 2024, 1:35 AM

Updated 324 days ago

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First-generation students got help completing the FAFSA form at White Plains High School on Tuesday as part of a FAFSA boot camp that many people attended.
The event was hosted by Latino U College Access, a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping low-income Latino students go to college.
Joseph Barboza is a student at the high school and attended the boot camp. He said the FAFSA application process can be long and dreadful for any student.
"Submitting documents, putting in the names, the accounts that I have to create," Barboza said.
He added that the process can be even more challenging as a first-generation student.
"It's a little confusing," Barboza said. "I have no one really to look at."
Amid FAFSA delays, the founder of the nonprofit, Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, said the boot camp is needed now more than ever.
"Our fear is that many deserving and talented students will delay their own decisions and not be able to go to college this fall," Acevedo Buontempo said.
Over 100 students got help filling out the FAFSA form at White Plains High School.
Administrators, like Assistant Principal Sara Hall, said they're thankful that the nonprofit provides this kind of support.
"They follow our students all throughout college, onto grad school," Hall said. "They've helped our students and families fill out their DACA applications. They're amazing partners."
The students who attended the event seemed to enjoy working with the nonprofit, too.
"This whole entire process has not only been educational but it's been fun," Barboza said.
Organizers said the FAFSA boot camp will head to Port Chester High School on Thursday.
Students who are interested in attending are asked to register with their school counselors.