Trenton, NJ - June means a lot of different things to students across New Jersey. For many it will mean a well deserved vacation. Seniors, of course, have graduation ceremonies and celebrations. When "school days" are over, parents and college bound students will turn their attention to the final details of fall college enrollment.

For some, this is not only a time for excitement, but also for mounting anxiety. Many months, if not years, have been devoted to planning for this event-now only a couple of months away. Parents everywhere are now faced with having to make some last minute decisions and get answers to last minute questions to ensure that their children have an easy transition to a whole new environment.

For most families, at this stage of the college planning process, the questions will center around affordability and paying the tuition bill. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) warns, "Parents are particularly vulnerable to grandiose marketing campaigns promising to deliver "pie-in-the-sky" products or services to help with college costs. ", says Michael Angulo, Executive Director of HESAA. There never seems to be enough financial aid to make paying for college painless. However, it's important to know who to trust to provide the best alternatives available for each individual student and family.

Angulo explains, "Financial Aid Professionals know what financial aid programs are available and which programs work to serve the best interest of the students and their families based individual circumstances." Colleges employ professionals who have spent years learning , understanding, and searching for solid programs to help students and families afford college. Their motivation? "Most of the Financial Aid Administrators I've had the pleasure knowing are motivated simply by the desire to help students achieve their goals.", said Michael. "When you need to get answers that you can trust, we strongly recommend that you talk to your college's financial aid staff."

Since 1959, HESAA, a non-profit, state designated Authority, has delivered over $18 billion in financial aid. Each year, over 1 million students receive assistance from outreach programs and aid programs HESAA administers including Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), the Part-time TAG for County College Students, NJSTARS and II, the Garden State Scholars programs, the Federal Family Education Loan program, NJCLASS, and NJBEST. For additional information about HESAA please visit our website at www.hesaa.org or call our toll-free hotline at 800-792-8670.

Posted 06/26/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.