College Goal Sunday, a program that assists students applying for college financial aid, will take place Feb. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the Memorial Classroom Building. 

Photo by www.ou.edu

   During the event, volunteers from around campus will help students complete the application for financial aid for education beyond high school – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA remains the financial aid form required by most universities and technical schools nationwide. 

   “This year Arkansas’ first College Goal Sunday will offer over 30 participating sites throughout the state,” said Susan Brewer, director of financial aid. 

   College Goal Sunday provides an opportunity for students and parents to get free help in filling out the FAFSA. The application can help students qualify for thousands of dollars for college.  

   The FAFSA also enables students to apply for numerous grants and loans that would otherwise be out of reach. Students who file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January maintain the best chance of receiving the funds. 

   Parents need to bring their completed 2006 IRS 1040 tax return and any other 2006 income and benefit information. 

   “There is no official deadline, but filing early is the most important thing to take into consideration,” Brewer said. 

   FAFSA provides a worksheet online for students to use prior to completing the online FAFSA. Students may access the worksheet at this link: www.fafsa.ed.gov/fafsaws78bw.pdf. Completing the FAFSA on the Internet is the fastest and easiest way. Simply go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the instructions. 

   “If students choose to fill out their application online they can bring the worksheet by the financial aid office, and we will look it over before they submit it,” Brewer said.  

   College Goal Sunday, a one-day event, offers students and families help in completing the application for financial aid. If students are thinking about education beyond high school, they will most likely need financial help. This event provides the perfect opportunity to get help in completing their financial aid application. 

   Approximately 40 states nationwide either host a College Goal Sunday event or are in preparation for implementation in 2008. ArCollegeGoalSunday.org provides a listing of the event sites in Arkansas and more information about College Goal Sunday.