College Goal Sunday Helps Students and their Families File for Financial Aid
More than 400 volunteers will help college-bound Michigan students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA during statewide College Goal Sunday events on Sunday, February 10, 2008.
College Goal Sunday is a collaborative effort among the Michigan Guaranty Agency, the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association and EduGuide: Partnership for Learning. The program is designed to increase the number of Michigan students who continue education beyond high school and earn post-secondary degrees. The FAFSA is required of any student seeking financial aid including grants, loans, and many scholarships.
“Parents should not underestimate the amount of financial aid that is available,” said Diane Sprague, Director of the Michigan Guaranty Agency. “As lead sponsor of Michigan College Goal Sunday, MGA wants to ensure that students have the opportunity to submit their FAFSA by the March 1st priority date so they are eligible for both state and federal financial aid programs.” Statistics show that students who complete and submit FAFSA forms are more likely to go on to college.
On College Goal Sunday, financial aid experts will be available to guide students through each step of completing and filing the FAFSA. Students under 23 years of age are encouraged to attend with a parent or guardian. Parents and students should bring their families’ completed 2007 IRS 1040 tax return (if possible) or their W-2 and 1099 forms.
Twenty-seven sites across Michigan will host College Goal Sunday on February 10, 2008. For additional information and a complete list of sites, go to www.micollegegoal.org.
More than $6,000 in gifts and prizes will be handed out during College Goal Sunday events, including scholarships, a Dell laptop computer, and Barnes & Noble gift cards.
Additional support for College Goal Sunday was provided by the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, the Lumina Foundation for Education, and the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators.