Financial aid professionals from all across Indiana will be volunteering at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus and 39 other sites to help college-bound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday.

The event at IUPUC will be held in the campus center building, 4601 Central Ave., Columbus, beginning at 2 p.m. Feb. 27.

The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and federal 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.

One of many reasons College Goal Sunday is so important is because many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time-consuming to complete. In less than one afternoon during College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form.

“Last year, Indiana high school graduates missed out on $65 million in Pell Grants by not filing the FAFSA,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said.

Now in its 33rd year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 94,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association.

Information: go.iupuc.edu/cgs2022