Financial aid professionals from across Indiana will be at 39 sites, including sites in Lafayette, Kokomo and Westfield, to help college bound students and their families with the most important form for financial aid during College Goal Sunday, which is set for 2 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 23.
The free program is intended to assist Indians students with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, which is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, multiple scholarships and even federal student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational or technical schools nationwide.
Filing of FAFSA forms must be completed by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. The College Goal Sunday team released the reasons behind the event.
“Many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time consuming to complete and often leads to students missing out on financial aid they would receive,” the organizers released. “This is one of many reasons College Goal Sunday is so important. In less than one afternoon during the event, students and their families get free help from the expert volunteers and file the form.”
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery expanded upon the sentiment, stating that Indiana was a nationwide leader last year in maintaining the FAFSA-filing rate from 2023 to 2024.
”That success is due in large part to the Commission’s partnerships with INvestEd and other community partners, philanthropy investment and support from local leaders,” Lowery said. “Thought this is an encouraging statistic for Indiana, we must continue to aim higher. The FAFSA is a gateway to unlock potential career options, improved social and financial outcomes for individuals, strengthening Indiana’s talent pipeline and enhancing our communities as a whole. We encourage all Hoosier seniors to file as soon as possible.”
Now in its 36th year, College Goal Sunday has reportedly helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA paperwork properly and promptly.
College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association. College Goal Sunday Co-Chair Bill Wozniak explained why the team is only hosting one event this year instead of the usual two events in the past.
“Because of the two month delay in the full launch of the FAFSA this academic year, the event Feb. 23 takes on additional importance,” Wozniak said. “Many families are anxious about getting the form filed, and meeting various deadlines. We hope all Hoosiers take advantage of College Goal Sunday, file the FAFSA, and get one step closer to fulfilling their educational goals.”
Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parents or guardians, and parents should bring completed 2023 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2023 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their completed 2023 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2023 income and benefits information. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before coming to the event. Volunteers will be available to assist with the online form and answer all families’ individual questions during College Goal Sunday. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters available.
A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.
Students may also win one of five $1,000 scholarships. Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The winners will be notified and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.
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 completion, Scholars who have fulfilled the commitment and demonstrate financial need receive state funds to help cover their college tuition and fees for up to eight semesters at eligible Indiana public colleges or an equal dollar amount at eligible Indiana private colleges. To fulfill their pledge scholars must submit a completed FAFSA form on time.
For more information about College Goal Sunday visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.
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