HAMMOND and WESTVILLE – Applying for college financial aid is not complex and can be extremely beneficial.
That’s the message of College Goal Sunday, a free, financial aid application assistance program, scheduled at 2 p.m., Nov. 5 at the Purdue University Northwest campuses and dozens of other Indiana locations.
The Purdue Northwest program takes place at the Hammond Campus in Room 200 of the Student Union & Library, 2200 173rd St. At the Westville Campus, the program is scheduled in Room 265 of the Technology Building, 1401 S. U.S. 421.
University financial aid experts and service organizational specialists will assist prospective fall 2018 college students and their parents to accurately complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) for submission to the federal processor.
College Goal Sunday is a statewide initiative where financial professionals from Indiana colleges and universities assist college-bound students and their families completing the FAFSA.
FAFSA required to be considered for financial aid
The FAFSA form 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 MUST be filed by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.
“Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal and state grants, student loans and many scholarships at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools. This College Goal Sunday event gives students and parents dedicated assistance by our staff to help them complete the application,” said Purdue Northwest Director of Financial Aid Brad Remmenga.
In its 29th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 93,000 Indiana students and their families complete the FAFSA properly and on time.
What students should bring
Students 23 or younger should attend College Goal Sunday with a parent(s) or guardian(s) and bring their family’s completed 2016 IRS 1040 tax return or a draft. Students who worked during 2016 also should bring their income information.
Students age 24 or older may attend alone and bring their own completed 2016 IRS 1040 tax return/draft.
Students and parents also are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to obtain 2016 tax information.
Any student who attends College Goal Sunday and submits a completed evaluation form will be entered in a drawing for a scholarship.
Additional information
For more information and a complete list of sites, individuals may visit the College Goal Sunday website at www.collegegoalsunday.org, or phone the toll free help line at 800/992-2076.
Financial aid information also can be obtained at Purdue Northwest by visiting the university’s financial aid web site at www.pnw.edu/finaid; e-mailing the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@pnw.edu; or phoning the office at 219/989-2301 or at 219/785-5460.
College Goal Sunday is a charitable collaboration involving the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA), in cooperation with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. College Goal Sunday is co-funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., and INvestEd.
