Salem College Goal Sunday

Salem College Goal Sunday

Completing the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) correctly and on time is sometimes seen as being complicated and time-consuming. But at the Salem College Goal Sunday site, financial aid experts will be ready with FREE help, so you and your family can file the FAFSA financial aid form online in one afternoon. The event will be Sunday, Nov. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Learning Center of Washington County, 1707 N. Shelby St.

The free program assists Indiana students in filing the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA MUST be filed by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid. 

“This event in November will be the first College Goal Sunday ISFAA is offering this FAFSA filing season.” said Bill Wozniak, co-chair of College Goal Sunday. “We hope all Hoosiers who have not filed already, take advantage of College Goal Sunday events across Indiana, file the FAFSA, and get one step closer to fulfilling their educational goals.”

According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, programs like College Goal Sunday are reaching first-generation college students. In recent years, according to CHE statistics, more single-parent Hoosier families have filed for financial aid, indicating programs like College Goal Sunday are reaching high-risk students and their families.

“Students who don’t complete their financial aid paperwork properly and on time are often very disappointed when they find out how much financial aid they lost,” said Wozniak. If our assistance gives students a better chance at higher education and less debt, we’re fulfilling our mission.”

What students should bring

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parents should bring completed 2018 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms and other 2018 income and benefits information. Students who worked last year should bring their income information as well. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their own completed 2018 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 forms or other 2018 income and benefits information. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at fsaid.ed.gov before coming to the event.

Attendees may win educational prizes

Students may also win one of five $1,000 scholarships. Students who attend any of the College Goal Sunday sites and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. 

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.

College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).

It just takes an afternoon to ensure peace of mind about this sometimes daunting task.