College Goal Sunday Washington Helps College-bound Families Fill Out the FAFSA

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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver will host College Goal Sunday Washington at 1 p.m. Jan. 30 on campus in the Undergraduate Classroom building. This event is a free program that helps students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that is required to apply for federal financial assistance for higher education.

Whether students choose a four-year college, community college, vocational or technical school, FAFSA is considered the gateway to accessing financial aid resources, such as federal and state grants, school loans and scholarships. Federal student loans offer many benefits not typically found in private loans, including low, fixed-interest rates, income-based repayment plans, loan forgiveness and deferment options.

Because household financial information is a key part of completing the form, students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend this event together. Independent students (typically defined as aged 24 or older, however other criteria besides age can also make a student independent) will not require a parent’s income information. Besides financial records (recent tax forms and/or pay stubs), students need to bring their social security number and driver’s license (if any). Even if families do not have all of their paperwork together, they are encouraged to attend the event to get the process started.

Financial aid experts will be on hand. While each family may receive as little or as much assistance as they need, step-by-step instruction for the complete FASA takes approximately one hour.

In addition to FAFSA labs for completing the form, 91ԹϺ will offer a keynote address by Commander George Delgado of the Vancouver Police Department at 1 p.m. and three breakout sessions that begin every half hour starting at 1:30 p.m. and ending at 3 p.m. including: “Getting to College & Succeeding”, “Financial Aid 101” and “Scholarships.” Russian and Spanish language assistance will be available.

Clark College, The International Air and Hospitality Academy and 91ԹϺ, among others, will have information available at College Goal Sunday Washington. Drawings and prizes will liven up each breakout session including the opportunity to win a $500 scholarship.

Originally held the Sunday after the Super Bowl, the fifth annual College Goal Sunday Washington series of events will take place throughout January and February at multiple locations across the state. More information can be found at

Nationally, events are scheduled in 47 states, plus the District of Columbia. College Goal Sunday is supported by Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) Center for Student Success, YMCA USA and the Lumina Foundation for Education.

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