VIENNA — While most families came to the Oct. 23 parent teacher conferences at Maries County R-1 School District to talk grades and classroom progress, a different kind of conversation was taking place in the library.

Students met with the school counselor and rootED advisor Robyn Hollis, along with other district staff members and East Central College (ECC) enrollment services coordinator Rachel Karr. The plethora of financial knowledge in the room had one purpose: help seniors take one of the biggest steps toward their future by applying for college financial aid.

The partnership between the district and ECC gave students a chance to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with guidance and support. Hollis said the event was designed to make the process less intimidating and to clear up common misunderstandings about how financial aid works.

“A lot of students believe that FAFSA is a lengthy process and they won’t benefit from it anyway,” Hollis said. “Whereas there’s a good possibility you will at least get something out of doing the process.”

FAFSA, which determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs and student loans, is often the first step toward making higher education affordable. For many students, the forms and documentation can seem overwhelming, but Hollis said sitting down with someone familiar with the system can make a world of difference.

She said events like this are important because they help students take initiative on something they might otherwise put off.

“A lot of times kids won’t do something on their own and they’ll procrastinate,” Hollis said.

Karr, who works with students across the region through ECC, spent the evening walking participants through applications, explaining each section and helping them understand how to identify what kind of aid they might qualify to receive.

The evening brought steady participation from families across the district, combining traditional parent teacher meetings with valuable college preparation resources for students planning their next steps.