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What is College Goal Sunday?
Students who are 23 years of age or younger should attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s). They should bring their parent's income and asset information listed below. If parents are unable to attend, students may attend alone and bring their parent's information. Students who are 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their own income and asset information:
Can my parents and I fill out the FAFSA online? Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA online. It is recommended that you and your parents get FAFSA PIN numbers first so you can sign the FAFSA electronically. A PIN number can be applied for at www.pin.ed.gov. Using an electronic signature eliminates having to print out, sign and send in a signed paper application. What if I don't have all these materials or I forget something? You can still attend even if your income information is incomplete or you forget something. You may file your FAFSA after the event once you do have the materials. You don't want to miss out on the valuable instruction provided at College Goal Sunday. What is a FAFSA PIN number and how do I get one? You can submit the FAFSA information you complete at College Goal Sunday online to receive a faster response, but you will need a FAFSA PIN number. To obtain one, log on to www.pin.ed.gov. You will use your PIN to re-apply for financial aid each year, so don't lose it! How long does College Goal Sunday last? The sessions are generally scheduled for two hours. They begin with a brief introduction to the FAFSA completion process followed by step-by-step instruction and assistance in completing the form. What if my parents can't come? Bring all the materials and you should be able to complete most of the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday. Then you can finish completing the form with your parents later. What if I can't go, but my parents can? Your parents should bring all the materials and they should be able to complete most of the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday. Then you can finish completing the form with your parents later. Will anyone see my personal information, such as family income? You will be completing the FAFSA, and at no time will anyone ask to see your personal information. If you need help on a section that includes personal information, all information reviewed by the College Goal Sunday volunteers will be kept private and confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than helping you complete the FAFSA. Will there be translation available? If translation is available, it is noted in the site location information. Who sponsors College Goal Sunday? The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators are cosponsoring the Minnesota event with assistance and funding from the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators and Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private foundation dedicated to expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Who can I contact if I have a question? Anyone interested in learning more about College Goal Sunday can inquire at 1-866-578-4625. Frequently Asked Questions About the FAFSAWhat is the FAFSA?The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is the form required of any student seeking federal financial aid, including federal student grants, Work-Study funds and loans. The application may also be used to apply for most state and some private financial aid. You can learn more about the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Do I have to complete my taxes before I submit my FAFSA? If you or your parents are filing an income tax return, we recommend filing it before completing the FAFSA. However, the income tax return does not need to be sent to the IRS before filling out your FAFSA. Also, you can estimate your taxes if you plan to complete them later in the year. If you estimate, you should estimate as close to your actual anticipated income as possible; you will be required to provide your actual tax information once it is available. Am I eligible for financial aid? All students are eligible to apply for student financial assistance. Each year, colleges, universities and technical centers assist all students (including full-time, part-time, and day and evening students) in finding available funds from federal, state and campus sources to make educational programs affordable. Many students don't apply for financial aid because they don't think they're eligible or because they don't understand student financial assistance regulations and procedures. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply using the FAFSA. It is impossible to determine your true eligibility without this document. At the very least you will qualify for a low-interest loan, but you could also be eligible for grants, scholarships and the Work-Study Program. My parents are separated or divorced. Which parent fills out the FAFSA? Your FAFSA information should be completed based on the information of 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 information of the parent who provided the most financial support to you in the most recent calendar year. What if I don't have a Social Security number or don't want to report it on the form? You must enter your Social Security number on the FAFSA form. If you don't submit your Social Security number, the form will be returned unprocessed and you will not be considered for federal and state aid. When is a student independent? Under the federal definition, an independent student is one who meets at least one of the following conditions:
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