Parents and students can use a new online tool to help financially prepare for college before a student's senior year of high school.

The FAFSA4caster provides students with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal financial aid, which could include a Pell grant of up to $4,310, the U.S. Department of Education said.

The FAFSA4caster will calculate a student's eligibility for federal student aid, including grants, reduce the time it will take to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and simplify the financial aid process.

The FAFSA4caster will be available on April 1 at the Web site www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

CAMPBELL TO BE DEMONSTRATION SITE

Campbell High School has been selected as a national demonstration site for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a national program for fifth grade through high school that helps inspire underperforming students to go to college.

The school, which joins about 100 expected AVID National Demonstration Sites across the country, was selected through an application process, screening and review that included a site visit.

It's the first Hawai'i school to be selected as a demonstration site for the project that offers academic support, especially for low-income, disadvantaged, rural and minority students.

Campbell is one of 11 schools in Hawai'i with AVID, implementing the program in 2004.

For more information, visit www.avidonline.org.