College Goal Sunday to help would-be college students with financial aid

COLUMBIA — One of the most daunting aspects of applying to college is navigating the financial aid maze. College Goal Sunday, a free national event, will be held Sunday at Columbia College for college-bound students and their parents.

But it’s not only for high school seniors. Adults wanting to attend college are welcome, said Colleen Brown, assistant director of financial aid for Columbia College.

“Our goal is to assist anyone who is interested in getting help with financial aid — anyone looking at completing school after many years out of college or those who have been in the work force and want to come back,” Brown said. “We’re willing to help anyone.”

Now in its fifth year in Missouri and held on the Sunday after the Super Bowl, College Goal Sunday will include a presentation on types of financial aid as well as general information about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Known as FAFSA, the document is needed to qualify for federal, state and, sometimes, institutional funding.

Brown said a lot of schools have priority deadlines from mid-February to the beginning of March. Missouri’s state aid eligibility deadline is April 1.

“So we are trying to encourage students to get the FAFSA done early,” she said.

High school seniors who plan to attend college next fall are eligible for a drawing for a $500 scholarship to be awarded at the event. .