College Goal Sunday Coming to Connersville High School

Staff Report

Connersville High School will open its doors to college-bound students and families on Sunday, Oct. 4, for College Goal Sunday, a free statewide event designed to help Indiana families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA.

The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the CHS Fieldhouse. Students from Connersville High School and throughout the surrounding community are welcome to attend with their families.

Financial aid professionals will be available throughout the afternoon to provide free, one-on-one assistance with completing the FAFSA and answering questions about the financial aid process.

The FAFSA is an important step for students planning to continue their education after high school. Information submitted through the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get help with their FAFSA, and it only takes a few minutes,” CHS College and Career Coach Katy Thurston said. “Students are required to complete the FAFSA application if they plan to attend any school after high school, whether it be a trade school or a college. The earlier you submit the application, the better chance you have at receiving more funding.”

For Indiana students, completing the FAFSA is especially important. Students must submit the form by the state’s deadline to be considered for many forms of state financial aid. Students participating in the 21st Century Scholars program are also required to complete the FAFSA to remain eligible to receive the 21st Century Scholarship.

College Goal Sunday gives families an opportunity to complete the application with experienced financial aid professionals nearby to help if questions or problems arise.

Students attending the CHS event are encouraged to bring their school-issued Chromebook, if possible, along with the information needed to complete the FAFSA. Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend with their students, since their information may also be needed as part of the application process. Students will need to know their social security number, address, email address, and phone number.

There is also an added incentive for students who participate. Students who attend a College Goal Sunday event and complete the appropriate form will be eligible for one of five $1,000 educational prizes being awarded statewide through Indiana College Goal Sunday.

The event is not just for students who believe they will qualify for need-based financial aid. All college-bound seniors are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, regardless of family income. Also students currently in college are welcome to attend to complete their FAFSA for the following year.

Many colleges and scholarship programs use FAFSA information when determining financial aid eligibility, making completion of the form an important part of the college planning process.

For families who may feel overwhelmed by the FAFSA or aren’t sure where to begin, College Goal Sunday offers an opportunity to sit down with someone who understands the process and can help them work through it.

College Goal Sunday will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Connersville High School Fieldhouse. The event is free and open to college-bound students and their families. Students are encouraged to bring their Chromebook if possible.