Indiana Students to Get Free FAFSA Filing Help at College Goal Sunday

Indiana Students to Get Free FAFSA Filing Help at College Goal Sunday

TERRE HAUTE | GREENCASTLE, IN – Financial aid professionals will be volunteering at Ivy Tech Terre Haute and Greencastle to help college-bound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The event is set from 2-4 p.m. on February 26, 2023.  

The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in less than one afternoon. The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for most federal and state grants, scholarships, and federal student loans at colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. Due to state deadlines, the FAFSA must be filed by April 15, 2023, to be considered on-time.

“We want students to capitalize on every opportunity they can that makes going to college affordable, no matter what field or industry they pursue or where they find themselves on their educational journey,” said Sue Ellspermann, Ph.D., president of Ivy Tech Community College. “Ivy Tech is proud to host events like College Goal Sunday that align with the goals of the State of Indiana and the Commission for Higher Education, as we strive to achieve a statewide FAFSA completion rate of at least 60 percent this year.”

“Planning for college expenses is important, and the FAFSA can be intimidating - especially for those who have never completed the form before,” said Julie Wonderlin, director of financial aid at Ivy Tech Terre Haute. “That's why we encourage students and their families to attend College Goal Sunday, to get a head start on their financial aid applications and make the process easier.”

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).

What students should bring

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and 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 guardian(s) are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at www.studentaid.gov before attending the event.

Volunteers will walk students and parent(s)/guardian(s) through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed.

Attendees may win a scholarship from College Goal Sunday

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 the spring and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.

21st Century Scholars must submit the FAFSA

21st Century Scholars are income-eligible students who sign an agreement 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, and College Goal Sunday can help.

Registering for College Goal Sunday

Students interested in attending College Goal Sunday should register at https://bit.ly/3wt9tWf. Registration is preferred but not required for the event. Questions about College Goal Sunday or financial aid can be directed to Julie Wonderlin, director of financial aid at th-finaid@ivytech.edu.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.

College Goal Sunday is a cooperative, charitable effort of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA). It is provided in cooperation with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and INvestEd.

About College Goal Sunday

College Goal Sunday is a cooperative, charitable effort of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA). It is provided in cooperation with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and INvestEd. 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 www.collegegoalsunday.org.