(Lawrenceburg, IN) – Financial aid professionals will offer collegebound students and their families free assistance with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this Sunday, Feb. 23, at 39 sites across Indiana, including Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg. The event, called College Goal Sunday, is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, and will be at the Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg Riverfront Campus, 50 Walnut St. in Lawrenceburg.
This free program assists with the most important form for financial aid. 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.
“Indiana was a nationwide leader last year in maintaining the FAFSA-filing rate from 2023 to 2024. That success is due in large part to the Commission’s partnerships with INvestEd and other community partners, philanthropy investment, and support from local leaders,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “Though this is an encouraging statistic for Indiana, we must continue to aim higher. The FAFSA is a gateway to unlock potential career options, improved social and financial outcomes for individuals, strengthening Indiana’s talent pipeline, and enhancing our communities as a whole. We encourage all Hoosier seniors to file as soon as possible.”
Now in its 36th 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 2023 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2023 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 2023 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2023 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 be available to assist with the online form and answer all families’ individual questions during College Goal Sunday. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters available. 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 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.
For more information about College Goal Sunday visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.
(Ivy Tech Community College press release)
