Answers for Parents
What is College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday is a free, on-site program that helps students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that is required to apply for federal financial assistance for higher education. College Goal Sunday Washington is a three-hour event that takes place annually in January at several locations across Washington State.
Why is College Goal Sunday important?
College Goal Sunday provides assistance in applying for financial aid to families who need it. By delivering help to families in their own communities, College Goal Sunday helps ensure that students get the help they need crossing the paper barrier to qualify for financial aid.
Most students and families need assistance in paying for higher education expenses. The FAFSA is the gateway to accessing financial aid resources, which include school loans. Secondly, a family’s situation may change at some point during the school year resulting in a major reduction in income. If the FAFSA has been filed in a timely manner, adjustments can be made as long as the filing deadline has not been missed.
Who participates in College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday is open to all college-bound students regardless of age. 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 (those under 24) should bring a parent or legal guardian. Independent students (24 or over) will not require a parent’s income information.
When and where is College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday Washington will be held at several locations across the state throughout the month of January. Check out Locations and Events to find the workshop nearest you.
What if I can't attend a College Goal Sunday event?
Students may attend on their own, but they'll need to bring parents' recent income tax returns and/or last pay stub and other financial records related to income. If your student brings all the materials they should be able to complete most of the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday. Then you can finish completing the form with your student later.
To find help near you, contact the College Goal Sunday Washington coordinator at 888-758-2253 or collegegoalsundaywa@nela.net.
How often will my student apply for financial aid?
Financing your student’s education is an on-going process. Students will complete the FAFSA every year they are in college. In order to make college more affordable your student should also apply for scholarships every year.
Do I have to send my financial information to every college my student applies to?
No, by completing the FAFSA, your student’s information can be sent to every college they apply to. Some schools may also require the CSS Profile. You should always check with the financial aid office to determine what forms are required.
Is completing the FAFSA safe?
Yes, the FAFSA is required for most financial aid-including many scholarships. The financial information you provide is only used to determine your student’s eligibility for state and federal aid. There are no credit reports and your information is kept private.
Will I need to complete my tax return before completing the FAFSA?
If you or your student are filing an income tax return, we recommend filling it out before completing the FAFSA. However, the income tax return does not need to be sent to the IRS before filling out the FAFSA. You can always use last year’s tax return and update the information later.
What types of federal grant and loan programs are available?
PDF Federal Grant Programs
PDF Federal Student Loan Programs
Are federal student loans a better option for paying for college than private loans?
Federal student loans offer borrowers many benefits not typically found in private loans. These include low fixed interest rates, income-based repayment plans, loan forgiveness and deferment options, including deferment of loan payments when a student returns to school. For these reasons, students and parents should always exhaust federal student loan options before considering a private loan.
Income-Based Student Loan Repayment
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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