Financial aid professionals from all across Indiana will be volunteering at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne (Coliseum Campus, 3800 N Anthony Blvd.) and Warsaw (2545 Silveus Crossing) and 37 other sites 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., Nov. 6th, 2022. 

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 federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. It MUST be filed by Apr. 15th to be eligible for Indiana financial aid. One of many 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. 

“By filing the FAFSA, students are setting themselves up for academic success and making college affordable,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech. “Events like College Goal Sunday will provide more Hoosiers with the counsel and resources they need to maximize on their higher education experience.” 

Now in its 34th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 94,000 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). 

College Goal Sunday Doubles the Help Offered 

“The event on November 6th will be the first of two College Goal Sunday events ISFAA is offering this FAFSA filing season.” said Bill Wozniak, co-chair of College Goal Sunday.  “We hope all Hoosiers take advantage of College Goal Sunday, file the FAFSA, and get one step closer to fulfilling their educational goals.” 

What students should bring 

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2021 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2021 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 2021 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2021 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 logging in to the event. 

Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed.  All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters.  A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org. 

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, College Goal Sunday can help. 

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.