This February brings an exciting opportunity for military-connected youth to Lead with Voice!

Community conversations will bring teens (8-12th grade) together in conversations led by their peers.

Schools, 4-H clubs, and military services youth programs may select one military-connected teen to participate in conversations. Participants will practice public speaking and decision-making skills in peer-led virtual conversations.

After the conference participants will receive tools to continue working together and a certificate.

Information, including marketing materials, frequently asked questions, and registration links, are available at www.4-Hmilitarypartnership.org.

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a way for students at two- or four-year universities to apply for student loans and grants through the Department of Education.

Why is it important?

Federal student loans almost always have significantly lower interest rates than private student loans and can make accessing a college education much easier.

There are two types of loans offered, and you may qualify for one or for both. The first type of loan is a subsidized loan. The federal government will pay the interest on a subsidized loan while a student is still in school at least half-time. This means that when you graduate and are ready to start repaying your loan, you will owe the same amount that you borrowed. Subsidized loans are based on financial need and your school will determine how much you can borrow. Unsubsidized loans are loans where the interest is not covered by the government and begins to accrue immediately. This means that if your loan was for $12,000 and you accrued $1,000 of interest during school, you will owe $13,000 when you graduate. Unsubsidized loans are available to all students regardless of their financial need and can be used for both undergraduate and graduate level studies.

Finally, completing the FAFSA determines your eligibility for a Pell Grant. As a grant, this money does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are need-based and their amount can vary. During the 2022-2023 school year the maximum awarded was $6,859 and the minimum was $692.

How it works:

The FAFSA uses the income of yourself and your guardian(s) to calculate a number called the EFC – the expected family contribution. This is the dollar amount that the government expects your family to be able to reasonably contribute to college per year. This value is not permanent – students must complete the FAFSA every year to be eligible for loans and grants, and your EFC may change based on updated information.

You can complete your FAFSA here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Need more information?

Visit the link above to learn more about the FAFSA. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Higher Education and 4-H have teamed up to host a virtual event for students and their parents/guardians to ask questions and learn more about the FAFSA.

The virtual event is scheduled for January 12, 2023, from 6-7 p.m. Registration available here: https://go.osu.edu/fafsa4u

Being prepared for cold weather:

Keep a cache of winter gear in your car. Consider including:

• An extra coat
• Blankets
• Food & Water
• Medications
• A shovel
• Cat litter or sand

Check tire inflation and tread levels.

Driving in the snow/ice:

Stay home if possible. Even if you consider yourself to be a skilled driver, the more people on the road the more possibilities there are for an accident.

• Avoid using cruise control when driving on ice or snow.
• Build inertia before going uphill instead of powering up the hill.
• Drive slowly & increase your following distance, especially at higher speeds.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.

If you get stuck in snow:

• Stay with your vehicle, it will be a temporary shelter and make it easier for you to be found.
• Clear snow from in front of, behind, and next to your tires and tailpipe.
• Place cat litter, sand, salt, or car/carpet mats in front of and behind your tires.
• Utilize your lowest gear and AWD/4WD if available.