USA Funds® is helping students planning to attend college during the 2012-2013 academic year get free help in applying for financial aid.
USA Funds is sponsoring College Goal Sunday in 10 states, to help students and families navigate the financial aid process. The events will provide free assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
College Goal Sunday events sponsored by USA Funds are as follows:
USA Funds also is distributing the publication “USA Funds Countdown to College™” in Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland and Mississippi. The publication promotes College Goal Sunday and provides other information to help students and families plan and prepare for college.
Most College Goal Sunday sites need qualified financial aid administrators to volunteer, and general assistance with greeting, registration and organization. Visit the national College Goal Sunday site to access information about events across the United States and to learn how to volunteer at your state’s event.
“Receiving hands-on, on-site assistance makes all the difference when completing the FAFSA,” says Lashanda Colbert Vance, coordinator of Mississippi’s College Goal Sunday and director of special projects for GEAR UP Mississippi. “Many financial aid administrators who assist say the event helps them in their jobs too, because the information and assistance provided at College Goal Sunday means less financial aid confusion for students once they’re accepted into college.”
Financial aid administrators who would like a refresher on FAFSA basics prior to assisting at College Goal Sunday can take part in USA Funds’ free FAFSA Wednesday webcasts. Two sessions remain, at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 18 and Jan. 25.
College Goal Sunday originated in 1989 as a program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.