Jan. 25 is College Goal Sunday at West Hartford’s William H. Hall High School, where students and their families from throughout the area can get free assistance with the college financial aid process. 

Submitted by Jenny Bronson, Hall High School

On Jan. 25, 2015, students and their families can receive expert advice about financial aid and planning for college during the statewide event, College Goal Sunday.

Held at Hall High School, as well as several other institutions across the state from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., College Goal Sunday features financial aid counselors and college staff to assist students and their families with college entrance requirements, planning for college and completion of the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Valuable information will also be shared on the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study, and different degree programs.

Particularly for students who are the first ones in their family to attend college, the process of applying for college can seem daunting, especially finding financial resources and applying for aid to make the dream of attending college a reality. Participating in College Goal Sunday provides students and their families a valuable first step on the road to higher education.

Due to the demand expected for assistance in completing the FAFSA, families are encouraged to register for the free event at www.collegegoalsundayct.org. Important information on what to bring to the event is also found on the website. The FAFSA is the key to funding a college education and helping families overcome financial barriers that otherwise prevent students from attending the institution they want to attend. Studies show that a student is 50 percent more likely to attend college when they complete the FAFSA. Walk-ins are also welcome.

College Goal Sunday is funded and sponsored by U.S.A. Funds, the CT Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), and the CT Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (CAEOP).

The College Goal Sunday program was first created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education^SM.