Free College Planning Event for Homeschool Families Scheduled in Daviess County
A valuable opportunity for homeschool families and students from small private schools will be available next week in Daviess County, as a free college planning event intends to bridge notable gaps in traditional college preparatory resources. The event, set for April 8th at 2 p.m., will take place in the public lounge of the Daviess County Public Library.
As college admissions processes can present unique challenges for non-traditional students, this event aims to provide targeted guidance on selecting a college, planning campus visits, and navigating the intricate world of financial aid. Registration is required due to limited space.
Organized by former Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) academic advisor and career counselor Katie Ballard, in collaboration with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), this event seeks to empower families through education and resources. “Throughout my 22 years at OCTC, I often received inquiries from homeschool families needing assistance with college admissions and financial aid,” said Ballard. “This initiative reflects my enduring commitment to serve this community by providing key insights and tools for their college journey.”
Joining Ballard will be KHEAA representatives Casi Benedict, the statewide community outreach director, and Brandi Forker, the outreach counselor for Northwestern Kentucky. Together, they will lend their expertise, delivering an array of resources and personalized advice tailored for families embarking on the college admission process.
The event will highlight the often-overlooked challenges faced by homeschool families, particularly with respect to understanding crucial timelines for applications and scholarships. Ballard noted the overwhelming sense of uncertainty many families experience when trying to navigate college options, whether they may be public or private universities or institutions within the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS).
A key aspect of the session will include direct navigation of the KHEAA website alongside the distribution of comprehensive printed materials designed to guide families in a step-by-step manner through the college admissions landscape. Additionally, Ballard will provide first-hand insights and perspective from both a college advisor and a parent navigating this terrain.
The program will also feature a question-and-answer segment, allowing attendees to engage directly with the experts, as well as take-home resources to facilitate further exploration. Organizers are probing the interest in potential future workshops tailored to specific high school grade levels, aiming to create an ongoing support system for families.
For those unable to attend the live event, informational flyers and contact information will be available via library staff for follow-up assistance. As the dynamic landscape of college admissions continues to evolve, events like these play a crucial role in equipping families with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their educational futures.
