LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Oct. 1, the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aide—FAFSA—opened in Kentucky. This is the first full year of the updated version, which was launched at the end of last year. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Filing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aide—FAFSA—opened Oct. 1 in Kentucky

  • The Kentuckiana Works College Access Center offers free help with the forms

  • Edgar Pernas-Catala went to KCAC for help. He plans to attend Hanover College in Indiana

  • KCAC said it has helped thousands of students navigate financial aid

Navigating the FAFSA process can be a challenge, but free help is available in Kentucky.

Born in Cuba, Edgar Pernas-Catala came to the United States when he was three. He’s 17 now and will be a first generation college student.

 “Life has been going pretty great honestly. I’m just pretty grateful that I got to come to America for the opportunities that it has to offer and it has offered me a lot of help and I’ve gained a lot of experience,” said Pernas-Catala.

He plans to go to Hanover College in Indiana and major in pre-dental. He tried filling out the FAFSA, but he had questions and some frustrations.

“It was frustrating at first because I didn’t really understand some of the questions. How you were supposed to answer them?” Pernas-Catala said.

Pernas-Catala and his family came to the Kentuckiana Works College Access Center for help.

 “The Kentuckiana Works College Access Center, which some people know as KCAC, is [a] one-stop shop for people that would lie to go to college. We help people navigate those barriers to start their college careers.”

According to KCAC, it has helped thousands of students since the 1970s. They accepting walk-ins if help is needed. Counselors work with students to create a Federal Student Aid account , filling out the FAFSA, scholarships searches and more.

KCAC director Deanna Coles said, “…career counseling, we do anything related to college and career.”

Coles discussed the issues some students saw earlier this year with FAFSA related to the late release of the updated form.

“So those issues have been resolved. The Department of Education has done a wonderful job with keeping staff informed of trainings, webinars, to talk about those glitches, to talk about the problems staff are having with filling out the FAFSA for students and clients,” Coles explained.

After graduation, Pernas-Catala hopes to get into dental school. Pernas-Catala said his FAFSA questions were answered and his frustrations eased.

“It went great! It went pretty smooth,” Pernas-Catala said.

Now, he’s looking forward to starting college. Pernas-Catala also received a list of scholarships he could apply for.

KCAC is accepting walk-ins through Jan. 2025. Anyone needing help can go to the center located at 642 S. 4th Street in Louisville.

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