Students around the state are heading back to school, and Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority’s (UHEAA) Outreach team is heading out to meet them. For several years, UHEAA has hosted evening events designed to get information about paying for college into the hands of Utah high school students and their parents. Held in coordination with the Utah Council’s annual College Tour, these events take place throughout Utah; even in rural areas that may not have easy access to college and financial aid assistance benefit from this program.

At these events, students and their parents get a chance to learn about college savings, scholarships, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), grants, work-study programs, and student loans. They also have the opportunity to meet with Utah college admissions officers to ask detailed questions about financial aid and admissions without needing to travel to the college campuses.

Last fall , UHEAA hosted 23 Paying for College Nights with over 4,000 attendees at locations throughout the state. Additionally, counselors and educators can also sign up to hold their own Paying for College Night after attending a UHEAA training; last year nearly 600 additional students and parents learned about this crucial information through counselor/educator hosted Paying for College Nights.

This year, UHEAA is changing the name of their Paying for College Nights to “You CAN Pay for College” Night and have 20 events scheduled throughout the state beginning on September 1. All UHEAA Outreach events will operate under a joint StepUp/UHEAA platform and will continue as they have previously.

A schedule of dates and locations is available at StepUpUtah.com/events.