DePauw site for annual College Goal Sunday event

Thursday, January 26, 2012

College-bound students and their families are invited to DePauw University, one of 40 sites statewide where College Goal Sunday will take place on Feb. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Now in its 23rd year, College Goal Sunday provides free financial aid information and assistance to all Indiana students seeking admission to any Indiana college, university or technical institution.

Financial aid professionals will be available in DePauw's Julian Science Center (602 S. College Ave.) to answer questions on College Goal Sunday, which is free and is open to potential Indiana college students of all ages.

A charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA), College Goal Sunday has helped more than 87,000 Indiana students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) properly and on time, opening the door to financial aid for college.

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.

Completing this required form correctly and by the deadline is sometimes perceived to be complicated and time consuming. In one afternoon at College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form online. complete the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is also required for consideration for federally sponsored financial aid, including student loans and grants and is a prerequisite for many scholarships.

College-bound students and parents are asked to bring copies of their completed 2011 federal tax forms, W-2s and other income and benefits information. Students and parents should apply for their U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) at www.pin.ed.gov before coming to the event.

"Nearly half of Indiana's college students qualify for financial aid from the State of Indiana," according to Donette Cassman of Sallie Mae, 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."

Students attending may also have a chance to win an educational prize to help with their higher education expenses. Winners will be notified in March; prizes will be sent directly to the higher education institutions selected by the winning students. To enter the drawing, students must attend College Goal Sunday and submit an online evaluation form.

The event is sponsored by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association, is offered in cooperation with Learn More Resource Center, the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana and The 21st Century Scholars Program. It is funded by Lilly Endowment, Lumina Foundation for Education, USA Funds and Indiana Secondary Market for Education Loans.

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