Gear up for 'College Goal Sunday'

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Local college-bound students and their families who need information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and assistance in filing it again have a place to turn this year.

DePauw University will be one of 36 sites around the state of Indiana to host College Goal Sunday 2008 on Feb. 17. DePauw financial aid professionals will be on hand to offer free help beginning at 2 p.m. in room 278 of the Julian Science and Mathematics Center, 602 S. College Avenue.

Now in its 19th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 70,000 Indiana students and families complete the complicated FAFSA form properly and on time, and has been cited as a valuable resource for first-generation college students and at-youth. It is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).

For Indiana students seeking undergraduate admission to a college or technical school in 2008, it is important to file the FAFSA -- the form required by educational institutions nationwide -- so that it is received by the federal processor by March 10. By filing on time, students have an improved chance of receiving federal and state grants, loans and scholarships, as well as other financial aid.

In 2005-06, the state of Indiana awarded nearly $173 million in financial aid to more than 52,000 students.

"Nearly half of Indiana's college students qualify for financial aid from the State of Indiana," says Jacki Switzer, ISFAA College Goal Sunday co-coordinator and district marketing director for Edamerica. "College Goal Sunday helps students and families better understand the financial aid process and brings students one step closer to fulfilling their educational goals."

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s) and bring their parents' completed 2007 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2007 income and benefits information. If students worked last year, they should also bring their income information.

Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their own completed 2007 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2007 income and benefits information.

According to the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI), programs like College Goal Sunday are reaching first-generation college students.

In addition, according to SSACI 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.

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