SFSC Hosts College Goal Sunday

AVON PARK, Fla.–Feb. 12, 2015–South Florida State College (SFSC) is one of multiple host sites for College Goal Sunday (CGS!FL), an annual state-wide program that provides information to college-bound students and their families applying for financial aid. SFSC will host two College Goal Sunday events with one taking place on Saturday, Feb. 21, 8 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m., in Room 204, DeSoto Campus, Arcadia, and another on Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the SFSC University Center, Highlands Campus, Avon Park.

Nationwide, the event is officially named College Goal Sunday, but it may be held on a Saturday. The free event is open to all and is not limited to students interested in attending South Florida State College.

College Goal Sunday at SFSC will provide on-site expert help from financial aid staff to students and parents completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). The FAFSA is the federal application that is required to receive federal financial aid including the Federal Pell Grant, student loans, as well as some need-based state scholarships and grants.

“Completing the FAFSA is the first step in applying for federal, state, and some institutional aid,” said Susie Johnson, director of financial aid at SFSC. “Filling out the FAFSA form can be a daunting task for many students and parents, but having one-on-one help simplifies the process.” 

Those interested in attending College Goal Sunday and getting assistance with completing the FAFSA, should first obtain their federal student aid personal identification number (PIN) online. This will allow you to electronically sign your FAFSA for faster processing on the day of the event. If you do not already have a pin, visit www.pin.ed.gov to obtain one. Participants should bring the PIN, as well as the following documents to the event: social security number; driver’s license; your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2’s, and other records of money; bank statements and records of any investments, records of untaxed income; as well as alien registration cards for non-U.S. citizens. For more information on what documentation students will need as they complete the form, visit FAFSA.gov.

The FAFSA and FFAA are key to funding a college education and helping families to overcome financial barriers that otherwise prevent students from attending the institution they want to.  Studies show that a student is 50 percent more likely to attend college when they complete the FAFSA. The intent of this event is for students to plan ahead and know how they will pay for their education to insure a successful college career.

While walk-ins are welcome, registration is encouraged and can be completed for both campus events at http://www.southflorida.edu/current-students/financial-aid-scholarships/college-goal-sunday.

Registration for SFSC’s College Goal Sunday event at the Highlands Campus closes on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. Participants can also register by calling the SFSC Financial Aid Office at 863-784-7134, or by emailing finaid@southflorida.edu. On-site check-in opens at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event.

Registration for SFSC’s College Goal Sunday event at the Desoto Campus closes on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. Participants can also register by calling SFSC’s DeSoto Campus at 863-993-1757. On-site check-in opens at 8 a.m. on the day of the event.

For more information on SFSC’s College Goal Sunday, contact SFSC’s Financial Aid Office at 863-784-7254 or visit http://www.southflorida.edu/current-students/financial-aid-scholarships/college-goal-sunday.  

The College Goal Sunday program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education.  It is currently operated by USA Funds. For more information about Florida’s College Goal events, visit http://www.navigatingyourfinancialfuture.org/CGS!FLORIDA/Locations.aspx.