Courses

Elkhart County students can get free help with FAFSA

February 7, 2014

Goshen College will host a College Goal Sunday event on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. in Goshen College’s Union Building. Financial aid professionals and other volunteers will be available to offer free assistance to local students and their families in completing the 2013-14 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, loans and scholarships at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide and must be filed by March 10 to be eligible for state aid.

This event is free and open to any student, even if the student is not considering attending Goshen College. Parking is available by College Mennonite Church. Directions to campus and campus map are available at: www.goshen.edu/aboutgc/map.

Additionally, on Monday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., Goshen College representatives will be available to talk about how to fill out the FAFSA in the Goshen High School auditorium. This meeting is open to all local students and their parents.

Now in its 25th year, College Goal Sunday, a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA), has helped more than 88,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time, opening the door to financial aid for college. For more information on what to bring, visit www.collegegoalsunday.org.

Program assists all students

“Nearly half of Indiana’s college students qualify for financial aid from the State of Indiana,” said Donette Cassman, Sallie Mae, Inc., chairman of College Goal Sunday. “College Goal Sunday helps students and families better understand the financial aid process and brings students one step closer to fulfilling their educational goals.”

According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Division of Student Financial Aid (SFA), programs like College Goal Sunday are reaching first-generation college students. In addition, according to SFA statistics, in recent years, more single-parent Hoosier families have filed for financial aid, indicating programs like College Goal Sunday are reaching high-risk students and their families.

“Financial aid professionals have seen firsthand the disappointment of students who don’t complete their financial aid paperwork properly,” said Cassman. “That’s why the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association continues to provide College Goal Sunday. If our assistance gives students a better chance at higher education, we’re fulfilling our mission.”

What students should bring

To make filing the FAFSA easier, volunteers walk through the form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters. A complete list of sites is available at www.CollegeGoalSunday.org .

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s) and bring their parents’ completed 2013 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2013 income and benefits information. Students who worked last year, should bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their own completed 2013 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2013 income and benefits information. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) at www.pin.ed.gov before coming to the event.

Attendees may win educational prizes

Students who attend any of the College Goal Sunday sites and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for an educational prize. Winners will be notified in March; prizes will be sent directly to the higher education institutions selected by the winning students.

21st Century Scholars benefit

21st Century Scholars are income-eligible students who sign a contract in the seventh or eighth grade promising they will graduate from high school, meet grade point requirements, fulfill a pledge of good citizenship, and apply for college financial aid. Upon high school graduation, Scholars who have fulfilled the commitment receive state funds to help cover their college tuition and fees for eight semesters at eligible Indiana colleges. To fulfill their pledge, scholars must submit a completed FAFSA form on time. College Goal Sunday can help.

Program is a national model

College Goal Sunday has more than tripled its reach, from 10 sites statewide in its first year to 40 sites currently, and it has become a national model to other College Goal Sunday programs. In addition to Indiana, College Goal Sunday now takes place in more than 35 other states.

Helpline open during Financial Aid Awareness Month

ISFAA’s College Goal Sunday is one of the highlights of Financial Aid Awareness Month. In February, students and their families can call the Learn More Indiana helpline at 800-992-2076 and have their questions answered by financial aid professionals. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education supports the Helpline.

For more information about College Goal Sunday or Financial Aid Awareness Month, call the Helpline at 800-992-2076 or visit www.CollegeGoalSunday.org.