Gov. James Thompson has declared February Financial Aid Awareness Month.

“This is the month of the ‘big push’ to inform students about financial aid opportunities and to encourage them to fill out applications,” said Cheryl Shaffer, assistant director of NIU’s Office of Student Financial Aid.

Schaffer added that March 1 is the “priority deadline” for financial aid applications. Applications received by that date will be evaluated on a need basis. Applications received after that date will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis, she said.

Information will be available on tables outside the Pow Wow and Blackhawk cafeterias from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Shaffer said. Financial aid advisers will also be there to answer questions and distribute application packets.

Workshops to provide in-depth information on application procedures will be offered tonight and Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center’s room 506.

During the second and third weeks of February, financial aid representatives will be in the residence halls to distribute packets and answer questions, Shaffer said.

A financial aid hot line also will be in effect next Monday through Friday to answer financial aid questions. The toll-free number is 1-800-628-7939 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Shaffer said that many people consider financial aid a “maze” or an “unsolvable mystery. But that’s what we’re trying to do with Financial Aid Awareness Month—help students understand the application procedure. Only then will they know for sure whether they qualify for aid.”