KOKOMO, Ind. — Current and potential college students, high school seniors, and their parents can get free help filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at College Goal Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, February 25, at Indiana University Kokomo.
The campus is one of 40 sites statewide offering free help in filing the FAFSA from financial aid professionals. The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA form must be filled out by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.
Kelsey Richey, a financial aid counselor leading College Goal Sunday, encourages students and families to take advantage of this free expert help. Filing out the FAFSA can be perceived as intimidating or complicated, and, as IU Kokomo’s site coordinator, Richey is excited to welcome any college-bound students to this event.
“College Goal Sunday is a way for IU Kokomo to help students and their families transition into a new academic year with as little stress as possible,” said Richey. “We are happy to help students get their financial aid processes started so that they can focus on academics and prepare for the new academic year.”
Registration begins at 2 p.m. in Alumni Hall in the Kelley Student Center, 2300 S. Washington St., with sessions in the Library labs, ILC 1 and ILC 2. No preregistration or fee is required. Free parking is available on campus.
Those attending should bring completed 2016 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms, and other 2016 income and benefits information. Students who worked last year should bring their income information as well. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov before coming to the event.
Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed application will automatically be entered in a drawing for one of five $1,000 scholarships.
Now in its 29th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 93,000 Indiana families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. It is a charitable program sponsored by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association, and for more information on the event, visit collegegoalsunday.org.
Story written by Sarah Gill. Sarah is an intern in the Office of Media & Marketing.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.