Anna Johnson, a senior at Worcester's North High School and a member of the GEAR UP program, was the first at her school to complete and submit her FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, which is only three days after the U.S. Department of Education opened the submission process.
Anna, who moved here from Liberia with her twin brother less than a year ago, has already completed her college application essay, requested her letters of recommendation, made her preferred college list, and done more to further her access to higher education. (Anna and her brother live in Worcester with their grandmother.)
Anna's GEAR UP advisor, Rachelle Lappinen, guided Anna through the process and is very proud of Anna's industriousness.