WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area residents interested in attending college can learn more about financial aid options available to them at a workshop set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the West Plains High School cafeteria.

The workshop is being co-hosted by the West Plains High School counseling office and Missouri State University-West Plains.

A representative from Missouri State-West Plains will be on hand to provide information to students and parents regarding federal and state resources available to help students finance their post-secondary education, according to Donna Bassham, coordinator of the financial aid office.

This includes information about federal financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant, campus-based work-study programs, Stafford student loans and PLUS loans for parents, as well as state programs such as the Access Missouri grant, Bright Flight Scholarship and the A+ Program.

In addition, those attending will receive information about the financial aid application process, including instructions for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Bassham said.

All of the information provided will be useful for students planning to attend any post-secondary institution that participates in the federal Title IV programs, not just Missouri State-West Plains, Bassham said.

For more information about the workshop, contact the Missouri State-West Plains financial aid office at 417-255-7243 or contact West Plains High School Dean of Students Jack Randolph at 417-256-6150.