KEY WEST, FL, October 8, 2026— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) will host “Affordability Week” from October 19 through 23 to make college real for more students of all ages. Throughout the week, prospective students and families can meet with faculty, staff and financial aid advisors for personalized guidance for programs, scholarships, and completing the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

 "Many dreams get put on hold because someone doesn't think they can afford higher education, whether it's in an academic field or workforce education," said Dr. Brittany Snyder, CFK Interim President. "CFK is introducing this ‘Affordability Week’ so people can see firsthand that affordability at CFK is real and supported with financial resources."

All events are free and open to all Monroe County residents, whether they are high school students, parents, or adults returning to school. Participants will learn how to make college more affordable and get:

• Hands-on help completing the FAFSA
• Guidance on grants, scholarships, and other financial aid
• Answers to questions about paying for college
• Tips for staying on track and avoiding processing delays

Students use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. State, college, and private scholarship programs also use FAFSA information to award their own grants and scholarships, so applying early can put students in line for more opportunities. The 2027-28 FAFSA can be found at StudentAid.gov.

"CFK's Affordability Week is all about helping make educational goals achievable for more people in our community," said Andrea Wade, CFK Director of Financial Aid. "It's about helping students understand the financial resources available to them and opening more doors to higher education and career training."

CFK Affordability Week Events

Virtual Academic Showcase | Monday, Oct. 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. via Zoom

Hear directly from faculty, academic leaders, current students and recent alumni, including curriculum, career opportunities and life on campus. Attendees will receive a code to waive the $30 application fee. More info and register at: https://www.cfk.edu/events/

Ready, Set, College Workshops 
These workshops help high school students, their families, mentors and guidance counselors navigate college decisions, requirements and deadlines. Each session begins with tips for writing college application and scholarship essays, followed by ways to pay for college:

Ready, Set, College Key Largo | Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
CFK Upper Keys Center, Room 134
Presented with the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce

Ready, Set, College Marathon | Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
CFK Middle Keys Center, 350 Sombrero Road, Room 5204
Presented with the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

One-on-One Appointments in Key West or Key Largo
Students and parents are also welcome to schedule a one-on-one appointment with the Financial Aid team through the CFK website at: https://www.cfk.edu/paying-for-college/. These appointments are offered year-round, with additional times available in Key Largo for Affordability Week.

CFK offers flexible pathways to education and real-world careers:

• Students pursuing an academic path often start with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree; CFK AA graduates are guaranteed admission to any of Florida's public universities, including CFK's own bachelor's degree programs in business, marine science, hospitality, nursing and education. 
• Students seeking workforce education focus on specialized career and technical training and may start with a certificate before continuing on to a degree or more advanced certificate.

For more information, visit www.cfk.edu/paying-for-college or email financialaid@cfk.edu.

 

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 About The College of the Florida Keys

Founded in 1965 as Monroe Junior College, The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) has served the Florida Keys community for 60 years, providing accessible, high-quality education from Ocean Reef to Key West. CFK has expanded to offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates across several academic and workforce programs as well as high school opportunities and community enrichment courses and programs. For more information about CFK and its mission, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/discover/mission-vision-values/