Grayson County College officials recently alerted area residents to be aware that applying for financial aid at the community college is free. Applicants should be wary of anyone attempting to charge them to apply for aid at the school.

The college made the statement responding to reports that some companies have sent letters to current and prospective students suggesting they pay a processing fee of up to $50 to complete profile forms for the companies' help in securing financial aid.

"The letters do not originate from Grayson County College, but they have an appearance of authenticity since they cite GCC as the student's college of choice," said Donna King, director of financial aid at the college. "Other companies are trying to charge students for help with FAFSA, but that application is free as well."

In fact, "free" is the first word in FAFSA. It is an acronym for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All students seeking financial aid at GCC and other colleges and universities must complete and file FAFSA for consideration, but there is never a charge for it.

King says the college's financial aid counselors are available to guide current and prospective students through the financial aid process. Financial aid deadlines are June 1 for the Fall 2010 semester and Oct. 1 for the Spring 2011 semester. However, current and prospective students who wish to apply for scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year should submit GCC's scholarship application by March 15.

For more information about financial aid options and the FAFSA, contact GCC's Office of Financial Aid  at www.grayson.edu and click on financial aid tab, call the office at 903-463-8794 or stop by the office in person. It is located in the Administrative Services building on the college's Main Campus in Denison.