INDIANAPOLIS – Financial aid professionals from all across Indiana will be volunteering at 38 sites to help
collegebound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The
event is set for 2 PM (local time), November 7th, 2021.
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. The FAFSA
MUST be filed by April 15 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.
“Filing the FAFSA can seem daunting to Hoosier students and families,” said Indiana Commissioner for
Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “However, it’s an important step for anyone interested in education beyond
high school. College Goal Sunday provides an opportunity for individuals to receive one-on-one assistance
from financial aid experts to insure their FAFSA is completed accurately before the deadline.”
Now in its 33rd 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 7th 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 who
have not filed already, take advantage of College Goal Sunday, 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. “This is why the Indiana Student
Financial Aid Association not only continues to provide College Goal Sunday, but offers two events during
the year. If our assistance gives students a better chance at education beyond high school 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 parent(s) should bring
completed 2020 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2020 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 2020 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2020 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.
Area locations participating –
Columbus – IUPUC (4601 Central Ave, Columbus, IN 47203)
Franklin – Ivy Tech Community College (2205 McClain Dr, Franklin, IN 46131)
Madison – Ivy Tech Community College (590 Ivy Tech Dr, Madison, IN 47250)
North Vernon – Jennings County High School (800 West Walnut St, North Vernon, IN 47265 – Building B)