The Louisiana Department of Education chose the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District to host the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Kick-off Event for the New Orleans area due to “outstanding FAFSA completion rate at the end of the 2017-18 school year,” local school leaders said.

Seniors and juniors from East St. John High School and West St. John High School, their parents and community members are invited to join Louisiana Department of Education and local officials on Wednesday for this event.

The event will begin at 4 p.m. at East St. John High School with FAFSA workshops in the school’s computer lab. At 5:30 p.m., the event will move to the gymnasium for a short assembly, followed by refreshments in the media center.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District ended the 2017-18 school year with a FAFSA completion rate of 96 percent.

School leaders said there is a direct correlation between students who complete FAFSA and those who continue their educations after high school.

FAFSA completion opens up opportunities for federal grants that do not need to be repaid, federal student loans and work-study programs that can offer a way to pay for school while building a resume.

It is also a requirement for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Tech scholarships.