Financial aid professionals from area colleges will be at Ivy Tech Evansville’s Carter Library on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. to help individuals who are planning to go to college and their families, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This event is for individuals planning to go to ANY college in Indiana, not just Ivy Tech. Similar help sessions are being planned at 33 other sites in Indiana.
The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, many scholarships, and even federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. Filing must occur by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. 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.
“This is one of many reasons College Goal Sunday is so important,” said Ivy Tech Financial Aid Director Caleb Fendrich. “In less than one afternoon during the event, students and their families get free help from the expert volunteers and file the form.”
Those attending will have the chance to 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.
Now in its 37th 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 2024 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2024 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 2024 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2024 income and benefits information.
Students and parent(s) are encouraged to set up their U.S. Department of Education StudentAid.gov account 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. A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.
Program is a national model
College Goal Sunday originated right here in Indiana and is now a national model. Following Indiana’s example, College Goal Sunday events organized by more than 34 states have opened doors to higher education for hundreds of thousands of students all over the country.
For more information about College Goal Sunday visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.