Questions about College Goal Sunday:
When and where is College Goal Sunday?
The College Goal Sunday programs typically are offered on a Sunday afternoon at several locations in each state, but program schedules vary by state. Decide where you'll get help.
Who participates in College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday is open to all students -- regardless of age -- who are seeking financial aid to pay for college expenses for the upcoming academic year. Whether a traditional student right out of high school or an adult who is returning or pursuing higher education for the first time, College Goal Sunday will help you complete the FAFSA, accurately and on time. Dependent students (generally those under 24) should bring a parent or legal guardian. Independent students (24 or over) will not require a parent’s income information.
What if I can't attend a College Goal Sunday evet?
Many states make provisions for students and families who cannot attend on the day of the event, either through a telephone hotline or follow-up services. Determine what resources are available.
Why is College Goal Sunday important to me?
College Goal Sunday provides assistance in applying for financial aid Most students and families need assistance in paying for higher education expenses. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the gateway to accessing financial aid resources, which include grants, work-study opportunities and student loans. By delivering help to families in their own communities, College Goal Sunday helps ensure that students get the help they need to apply for financial aid.
What if I'm not sure I'll attend college?
Many students are not sure if they will be attending college right after high school. When you complete the FAFSA, you aren't obligated to attend college. By completing the FAFSA, you ensure you won't miss any deadlines, which is important in case you decide to apply to college later in the year.
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Questions about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and financial aid:
What is the FAFSA?
Students use this application to apply for federal grants, loans and work-study money to assist them in funding their college education. They also may use this application to apply for most state and some private sources of financial aid.
When should I complete the FAFSA?
You should apply as soon as possible after January 1 of the academic year you plan to enroll in college. If the college has a deadline earlier than when you or your parents will file their taxes, go ahead and estimate the tax information and file the FAFSA to meet the college's deadline. You always can correct the information later when you file your tax return.
Will I need to complete my tax return before completing the FAFSA?
No, but if you or your parent(s) are required to file a federal income tax return, we recommend filling it out before completing the FAFSA.
My parents are separated or divorced. Which parent fills out the FAFSA?
The parent you lived with most during the last 12 months. If you didn't live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent who provided most of the financial support to you in the most recent calendar year.
Does my step-parent's income and assets have to be reported on the FASFA?
If the parent whose information you are reporting on the FASFA has married or remarried, you must include information about your step-parent (even if they were not married for the entire year).
What if I don't have a Social Security number or don't want to report it on the FAFSA?
You must enter your Social Security number on the FAFSA. If you don't submit your Social Security number, the form will be returned unprocessed, and you will not be considered for federal student aid. Additionally, at least one parent must include his or her Social Security number. If neither parent has an SSN, the FAFSA instructs those parents to use all 0's instead of a Social Security number.
When is a student independent?
Under the federal definition, an independent student is one who can answer Yes to any of the following questions for the 2013-2014 school year:
- Were you born before January 1, 1990?
- Are you married?
- At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
- Are you serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you during the academic year?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through the end of the academic year?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
- Are you, or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- Are you, or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
When is a student dependent? If you answered "No" to ALL of the questions above, you are considered dependent and must provide parental information.
The FAFSA asks about last year's income. My parent now is unemployed and our income is significantly less. What should we do?
Go ahead and fill out the FAFSA using last year's information. However, when you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), you should contact the financial aid administrator at the school(s) you want to attend, and explain the situation. Financial aid administrators may use professional judgment to adjust your need if it is warranted and can be documented sufficiently to meet federal guidelines.
Can my parents and I fill out the FAFSA over the Internet?
Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA online. It is recommended that you and your parents get PIN codes first so you can sign the FAFSA electronically and not have to print out, sign and send in a paper signature page. Here are the web addresses:
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