Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington will soon host an event geared toward helping parents and students navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid filing process.
College Goal Sunday will have financial aid experts on hand from Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University, Western Governors University, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to help navigate the application process for student aid provided by the federal and state governments.
Patt McCafferty, director of financial aid at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus, said it is important for all students to fill out the FAFSA form because, even if they do not qualify for need-based aid, unsubsidized Stafford Loans would be available to them.
“Students and families really benefit and our community benefits by providing this kind of service. The FAFSA can be very complicated for some families or seem very complicated,” McCafferty said.
The campus will begin with five open computer labs and open more as the need arises. Financial aid experts will be stationed in each computer lab to help people understand the form and troubleshoot problems for them.
Alternatively, people can visit a “quick question table,” where volunteers will help answer any questions for those who have already started their FAFSA form and just need one thing clarified for them.
Either way, the process should not take long.
“Usually people come in and sit down right away. There’s usually no wait time for a computer. It might take a family 20 to 30 minutes to fill out an application for financial aid,” McCafferty said.
Ivy Tech Community College has been participating in College Goal Sunday since its inception 24 years ago. It has been one of the hosts of the nationwide event for at least 10 years.
“I think that we do it because it’s important for people to do the application on time, before the March 10 deadline, and to make sure they get the necessary help they need to go to school,” McCafferty said.
She added that helping students and parents makes them feel good.
“It’s just a really good feeling that we get as a financial aid community to know that we’re providing expert help to parents and students who need it.”
College Goal Sunday is not just for high school students. Nontraditional students are eligible to receive assistance at the event, as well. The event will be held on the main campus of Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington at 2 p.m., Feb. 24.
Those interested in participating should bring their 2012 IRS tax forms, W-2s, and other 2012 income information. Students not yet 24 years old should bring their parents’ 2012 tax documents.
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2013. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.