Student advisory: No Need to pay for financial aid services

A private company with no affiliation to the University is offering to help UA students complete the federal financial aid application for a hefty $65 fee.

The same service is provided free to students by our financial aid office, says Michelle Ellis, executive director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. UA's financial aid counselors will work with students, and the U.S. Department of Education does not charge anyone to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

A company called the Student Financial Resource Center has been sending the letters. UA's financial aid counselors have been receiving calls from students and parents asking if the service is legitimate.

"I have worked in this field for about 18 years," Ellis said, "and we see these offers from time to time. It's not necessary to pay the fee to get assistance. We encourage anyone who has questions about the financial aid process to come talk with us. We'll help them for free."

You can stop by the Student Services Center in the lobby of Simmons Hall for assistance, or call the Office of Student Financial Aid at 330-972-7032 or write finaid@uakron.edu.