When Melinda Montoya was looking for information a few years ago about college financial aid for her son, they attended a program at Purdue University Northwest: College Goal Sunday.
The result was such a positive experience that the young man enrolled at PNW to study accounting. Montoya wanted to duplicate that experience, and stopped in at another recent College Goal Sunday, this time with her son, Lucas Przespolewski.
“This event really helped my family before,” said Lucas, a Morton High School senior. “We’re getting that same treatment — they are thoroughly explaining the process of financial aid. This takes a lot of pressure off my parents.”
Visitors found that preparing for college includes much more than just getting good grades. Families have to find a way to pay for their child’s higher education.
College Goal Sunday, a statewide initiative, includes pairing university financial aid experts and service organizational specialists with prospective fall 2018 college students and their parents to accurately complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for submission to the federal processor.
The FAFSA must be filed by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.
“Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal and state grants, student loans and many scholarships at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools,” Purdue Northwest Director of Financial Aid Brad Remmenga said. “College Goal Sunday event gives students and parents dedicated assistance by our staff to help them complete the application.”
Stephanie Puente, of Merrillville, said the process was interesting.
“My high school counselor told me about this College Goal Sunday and suggested I attend,” the Merrillville High School senior said. “I’m glad I came. We received quite a bit of information.”
Purdue Northwest Financial Aid Assistant Director Tamika House has been working with the event for more than 16 years. One of the biggest changes has been the recent addition of a direct link to the Internal Revenue Service, called the IRS Data Download Retrieval Tool.
“The online process has been streamlined, regarding the amount of paperwork,” she said. “Instead of families bringing in tax returns, the direct link to the IRS can be utilized.”
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Purdue Northwest offers two College Goal events each year. The next one is scheduled for February.
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For a complete list of sites, go to at www.collegegoalsunday.org or call 800-992-2076.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.