Free financial aid event set for college-bound students
KALAMAZOO—College-bound students and their families are invited to come to Western Michigan University Sunday, Feb. 9, for College Goal Sunday and learn how to maximize their financial aid opportunities.
The event, set for 2 to 4 p.m. in Schneider Hall, is being held at sites across the country to help high school seniors and others fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This form must be submitted by the Saturday, March 1, deadline to ensure eligibility for the most financial assistance possible.
WMU's event, one of dozens being held around the state as part of the MI College Goal effort, is open to everyone thinking about attending college, regardless of age.
Volunteers from the University's Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will be on hand to answer questions about financial aid resources and help guide attendees through each step of completing and filing the FAFSA.
Materials to bring
Students and parents or guardians need to bring a variety of materials to College Goal, including:
- FAFSA personal identification number,
- driver's license,
- alien registration card (if a non-U.S. citizen),
- Social Security number, and
- income tax forms.
For a complete list of items students and parents or guardians need to bring, visit micollegegoal.org.
College Goal Sunday
The free program was created to increase the number of students who continue their education beyond high school and earn post-secondary degrees. The FAFSA is required of any student seeking such financial aid as grants, loans and many scholarships.
During the past decade, the program helped Michigan become first in the nation in increasing the percentage of low-income students applying for financial aid.
MI College Goal is a collaborative effort of the Michigan Department of Treasury, Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, as well as two nonprofit organizations: EduGuide, which leads the effort, and USA Funds, which is the primary sponsor.
Additional information
Visit micollegegoal.org for additional details about MI College Goal and how to win a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad Mini or a $25 Amazon gift card.
For more information about WMU's on-campus event, contact Mark Delorey, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, at mark.delorey@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6000.