Parents, students can get free FAFSA help Sunday

Financial aid professionals will be volunteering at local sites to help students complete the FAFSA this Sunday.

College Goal Sunday is set for 2 p.m. Feb. 25th and will take place at nearby sites in Franklin, Columbus and the southside of Indianapolis.

  • Ivy Tech Community College — Franklin, 2205 McClain Dr, Franklin.
  • IUPUC, 4601 Central Ave, Columbus.
  • Beech Grove High School, 5330 Hornet Ave, Beech Grove.
  • Decatur Central High School, 5251 Kentucky Ave, Indianapolis.

The free event has been helping Indiana students file the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for 30 years. The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools.

The FAFSA must be filed by the state’s priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee the availability of state aid to income-qualified students. In less than one afternoon, students and their families can get free help and file the form, according to event organizers.

Students age 23 or younger should attend with their parents or guardians. Adults accompanying students should bring their completed 2022 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2022 income and benefits information. Students who work should also bring their income information, organizers say.

Students 24 years or older may attend alone. They should bring their completed 2022 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form or other 2022 income and benefits information.

Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.

Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters.

For more information visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.