UNLV grad creates app to make search for college financial aid easier

By Aida Ahmed

Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 | 2 a.m.

In a world steeped in social media, it can seem difficult to grab someone’s attention unless it’s through a retweet or writing on their “wall.”

So when UNLV graduate Devin Valencia was competing in the “Get Schooled: College Affordability Challenge,” she counted on the one thing she knew would get through to students: Facebook.

Valencia, 24, class of 2009, won the competition sponsored by MTV and the College Board in December with her essay about creating a Facebook application that guides students through how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

“When I was filling out FAFSA, it was really difficult,” said Valencia, who was the first in her family to graduate from college. “My parents didn’t go to college and couldn’t help.”

When she learned about the “Get Schooled” competition last year, she took a shot with her idea to incorporate financial aid, an unknown territory to many incoming freshman, with Facebook.

“(Students) are comfortable in the Facebook environment, so it’s less stressful and they will actually want to do it,” Valencia said.

Valencia won the challenge and was awarded $10,000, along with a $100,000 budget for her project, Connect Fund. Former President Bill Clinton presented the award.

Her Facebook app will define the terms of the FAFSA, link users to scholarship and grant applications based on their profiles, and include a discussion board where students can exchange tips and tricks to applying for student aid.

Valencia is also working on offering the app in different languages, for students whose families who may not speak English. Connect Fund, which launches in November, will include optional cellphone alerts for upcoming scholarship deadlines.

Valencia, a substitute teacher, used the prize money to pay off her student loans and hopes to one day make the FAFSA simpler so students know how easy it can be to find money for school.

Although she says it’s “weird” getting a page full of friend requests whenever the “Get Schooled” commercial airs on MTV, it shows the campaign is working.

“It’s hitting the generation I want it to hit,” she said.