With college deadlines fast approaching, many students are putting the final touches on their applications. But, putting the stamp on the envelope is not the last step in the process.

Families and students must also find the most feasible way to ease the burden of tuition expenses. Unfortunately, finding the best form of college aid can often prove to be a daunting task for both students and their parents.

College aid comes in many different forms and is available to students and parents in diverse income brackets and academic groupings. Some forms of college aid include student loans, federal aid and tuition savings programs, opportunity and tuition assistance programs, not to mention various other grants and scholarships.

Once you find the type of aid that is best for you there is also the process of getting the proper application forms, gathering income and tax information and meeting the various deadlines for each type of aid.

In the months of January and February, New York State is once again offering projects and events designed to help students and families pay for college through the "College Financial Aid Awareness Network." The program will provide free statewide support to those students who need financial aid to help cover the costs of higher education.

The "College Financial Aid Awareness Network" is a cooperative project of the New York State Financial Aid Administrator's Association (NYSFAAA) and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

Some of the statewide activities for 2002 include:

* "Ask the Expert" Campaign. From Jan. 7 through March 1, students and families will be able to send questions electronically via www.nysfaa.org on "how to apply" or "how to pay for college". Financial aid experts from around the state will provide answers to all questions submitted. In addition, a list of the most commonly asked questions and answers will be posted on www.nysfaaa.org.

* Online chat sessions with financial aid experts via www.mapping-your-future.org. Mapping-Your-Future (MYF) is a public service website that provides information on career and financial aid options. Go to www.nysfaaa.org or www.hesc.org for specific dates and times.

* Financial aid outreach programs and forms workshops for students and families at local high schools and other community locations.

* Statewide media tours by HESC and NYSFAAA to promote "how to pay for college" and other related topics.

For more information on these and other programs, contact your regional NYSFAAA representative Gail Drapala at (631) 421-2244 ext. 322.

I encourage both students and their families to take advantage of the "College Financial Aid Awareness Network", and get the facts about all available sources of financial assistance.

I hope this information will help steer you in the right direction when it comes to financing higher education for yourself or your family. If you have any other questions, please contact my office at 938-3168.