College-bound students to get free help filing for financial aid through IU Northwest

College Goal Sunday set for Oct. 25

Indiana University Northwest financial aid professionals will volunteer during Virtual College Goal Sunday, on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. Now in its 32nd year, College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA), that helps Indiana students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) properly and on time, opening the door to financial aid for college.

The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, and loans and scholarships at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. During the event, volunteers will walk participants through the form line-by-line and answer individual questions.

What students should have available

 

Below are the items a student needs to have readily available during College Goal Sunday. Information should be for the student, and if applicable, their parent(s).

·  FSA ID username and password. Create your FSA ID at fsaaid.ed.gov. The student and a parent (if applicable) need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA form.

·       2019 tax returns

·       2019 W-2 Forms

·       Current investment and bank records

Students who worked last year should also have their income information available.

Students 24 years of age need to have the following items (for themselves) readily available:

  • 2019 IRS 1040 tax return

·       W-2 Form

·       Other 2019 income and benefits information

FASFA filing must take place by April 15 to be eligible for state aid.

The U.S. Department of Education FSA ID―a username and password―has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents including the FAFSA. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their FSA IDs at fsaaid.ed.gov before attending the event.

Scholarships giveaway

Students who participate in College Goal Sunday may also win a $1,000 scholarship. Five scholarships are available and students who attend any of the College Goal Sunday events, and submit a completed evaluation form, will automatically be entered in a drawing for one of the $1,000 scholarships. The winners will be notified in April and prizes will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.

Twenty-first Century Scholars benefit

21st Century Scholars are income-eligible students who sign a contract 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 graduation, Scholars who have fulfilled the commitment and demonstrate financial need receive state funds to help cover their college tuition and regularly assessed fees for eight semesters at eligible Indiana colleges. To fulfill their pledge, scholars must complete the FAFSA form on time. College Goal Sunday can help.

For more information about College Goal Sunday, call the Helpline at 800-992-2076 or visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.

As a virtual event online, attendees will go to CollegeGoalSunday.org on Oct. 25 and click the link on that page to enter the event.

The IU Northwest Office of Financial Aid can be reached at 219-980-6778 or iun.edu/financialaid/