WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and RadioJohn Wood hosts free workshop to file for college financial aid

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM)-- If you or your child is planning to go to college next year, you may want to start thinking about applying for financial aid.

College officials say some of the funds are limited this year and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.

John Wood Community College held a free workshop Sunday afternoon for families applying for Federal Student Aid and officials say it can be complicated if you've never done it before.

"Even though I think I pretty much know what I'm doing, I would rather come here just make sure I get it right because you never known when you're going to make an error," said John Wood Sophomore Brittany Postle.

Postle is a sophomore at John Wood Community College and has been through the FASFA experience before. She knows just how important it is to answer the questions correctly.

"If you fill one thing out wrong it could influence a lot and you could lose a lot of money you would get otherwise," Postle said.

Financial aid officials want to make sure that doesn't happen, and volunteered their services to families today at their College Goal Sunday workshop.

"This is an opportunity to have someone in the room with them to ask questions if they get stuck," said Melanie Lechtenberg, John Wood Director of Financial Aid.

And while it may seem early to start thinking about fall tuition, financial aid officials say some of the funds have early deadlines or on a first come-first serve basis.

"If a family can get their information in the pool, then its there waiting for those funds to see if they qualify, but they have to get there early to see if they qualify for those funds," Lechtenberg said.

And Postle says once you know what you're doing, the process isn't so bad.

"I got here maybe five or ten minutes ago and I'm already done so it went really smooth," Postle said.

To fill out the FAFSA, you do need your family's income tax information.

For help filling out the form, you can contact your student's high school counselor, or the school where they are applying.