Indiana students to get free FAFSA filing help at College Goal Sunday, February 25

Indiana students to get free FAFSA filing help
at College Goal Sunday, February 25

Evansville, IN – Financial aid professionals from throughout the region will be volunteering at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville, as well as 36 other sites in Indiana to help collegebound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday.  The event is set for 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25.

The event will take place in Carter Library at Ivy Tech, 3501 N. First Avenue, and volunteers will be on hand to assist families. All individuals who plan to go to any college – not just Ivy Tech – are invited to attend. State law now requires all high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“We understand that with significant updates to this year’s FAFSA, College Goal Sunday is more important than ever,” said Caleb Fendrich, director of financial aid at Ivy Tech. “As best we can, we want to alleviate any concerns that students and families have about the financial aid process.”

Bill Wozniak, co-chair of College Goal Sunday statewide said there is additional importance for this event because there was only one help event like this, this year. “The delay in the new FAFSA from an October 1 launch to a late December soft launch has made many families anxious about getting the form filed.”

The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and Federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA MUST be filed by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. One of the reasons College Goal Sunday is so important is because many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time consuming to complete.  In less than one afternoon during College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form.

“Indiana is first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation in providing need-based financial aid to Hoosier students. Each year, Hoosiers have access to over $400 million in state financial aid and billions of dollars in federal aid,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Increasing the number of FAFSA filings will lead to many Hoosiers realizing their higher education possibilities are more tangible than otherwise thought. Not only is the FAFSA a huge step in unlocking potential career options and better outcomes for individuals, but it is also a key to strengthening our communities as a whole.”

Now in its 35th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).

What students should bring

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2022 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2022 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 2022 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2022 income and benefits information. Students and parent(s) are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.

Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed.

Attendees may win a scholarship from College Goal Sunday

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 in spring and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution 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 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, and College Goal Sunday can help.