SCC Press Release


Iowa College Goal Sunday to Offer Free Help Through College Financial Aid Process

Iowa students and families can get free assistance with forms required for federal financial aid during Iowa College Goal SundaySM at Southeastern Community College’s West Burlington campus on Saturday, February 16 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and at the Keokuk campus on Saturday, February 23 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Volunteers will help students and their families fill out and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of a national program that helps students qualify for federal financial aid. The FAFSA, which is available in free paper and electronic forms from the U.S. Department of Education, is the first step in the qualification process.

“This program is great for anyone who has questions or wants free help with the FAFSA,” says Jennifer Coffman, state coordinator of the 2013 Iowa College Goal Sunday. “It’s especially helpful for students who are low-income or are in the first generation of their families to attend college, or both.”

SCC Financial Aid Director Ean Freels explains that Iowa College Goal Sunday is a week-long event held in 29 Iowa communities from Saturday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 24. Students or parents may attend individually, but it’s best if the student and at least one parent or guardian come together.

“The event is called College Goal Sunday, but many locations across the state hold their sessions on a Saturday. It sounds a bit confusing having a ‘Sunday’ event on a Saturday but it seems to work out better for residents in our area. Last year we helped over 40 students and families with their applications,” notes Freels.

Freels adds that any college-bound student can take advantage of College Goal Sunday regardless of age or income. “You don’t have to be going to SCC in order to participate. Our volunteers are here to help anyone.”

For more information, visit the Iowa College Goal Sunday Web site, www.ICANsucceed.org/CGS. Details are also available from the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) at (877) 272-4692 or CGS@ICANsucceed.org.

Iowa College Goal Sunday is part of the national College Goal SundaySM program, currently held in 40 states and funded by grants from Lumina Foundation for Education. A number of Iowa organizations have partnered to plan and present Iowa College Goal Sunday.

To complete the FAFSA, families should bring, for both the student and parent, the following:

  • Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth
  • Most recent federal and state tax returns
  • W-2 forms or other records of income earned last year
  • Current bank statements and investment records
  • Records of untaxed income received last year
  • 2012 business and farm records
  • Alien registration numbers if not a U.S. citizen

Students and parents may also register in advance for federal personal identification numbers (PINs) to electronically sign the forms and make future changes. To request a PIN, visit www.pin.ed.gov.

About ICAN

The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has three locations in Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and West Des Moines, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org

For more news or to learn about Southeastern Community College, visit: https://www.scciowa.edu/rss/news/index.html

 

 

 
 



 
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