College Goal Sunday

Resources for Students and Family

Scholarship Search Web Sites

-  College Board Scholarship Search: A free web scholarship search maintained by www.collegeboard.com.
-  fastWEB: A free scholarship search engine on the Internet.

FASFA on the Web

The following are several good reasons why you should consider using FAFSA on the Web:

• FAFSA on the Web is faster than applying for aid by paper.
• FAFSA on the Web uses skip logic based on your particular information, so you will need to answer fewer questions than on the paper application.
• FAFSA on the Web checks your answers before you submit your application, so there is less chance your application will be rejected because of missing or conflicting information.
• You can save application information so that it can be completed and transmitted at a later time.
• FAFSA on the Web can be used on Windows or Macintosh computers, using the most popular Netscape and Microsoft browser versions.
• FAFSA on the Web doesn't require software to be installed, so it takes less time before you can actually use the application.
• You can access FAFSA on the Web from anywhere, including school or home, making it more convenient to complete the application.
• FAFSA on the Web can support an unlimited number of users, allowing thousands of students to apply at once.

2011-2012 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (Spanish)

FASFA Friday

Learn More Indiana in partnership with College Goal Sunday will host the FAFSA Friday webinar on Friday, February 10, 2012 to prepare families for College Goal Sunday and answer general questions about applying for student aid. Log on at noon or 6 p.m. (EST) at www.FAFSAFriday.org to find out about students’ top ten FAFSA mistakes and get your FAFSA questions answered in real time.

FAQs

What is Indiana’s FAFSA Friday? Indiana’s FAFSA Friday is a free, online event that will help students and families with general FAFSA questions and prepare them for College Goal Sunday. Set as a Webinar, Indiana’s FAFSA Friday will connect participants to financial aid experts and give them the ability to chat either publicly or through private messaging.

What do I need to participate in Indiana’s FAFSA Friday? To participate in the event, you must have access to a computer with internet access and have the ability to chat. You may visit www.learnmoreindiana.org on the appropriate dates and times and log in using your first name only.

Cash for College

Learn More Indiana’s Cash for College campaign kicks off each January to provide students with information on saving and paying for college. In addition to promoting FAFSA Friday and the College Goal Sunday events, the Cash for College campaign offers contests for K-12 and college students; information on savings plans, scholarships, reducing debt and more; and the Indiana College Costs Estimator, which provides students with an estimated net price of attending an Indiana college after financial aid. Find all this and more at www.CashForCollegeIndiana.org!

Handouts

These handouts for download and printing are in PDF format:

• Unique Situations: Tips for Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)- download 112 kb pdf
• Tip Sheet for Military & Veterans- download 84 kb pdf
• Tip Sheet for Adult Learners- download 84 kb pdf
• Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students- download 84 kb pdf
• USAFunds Countdown to College: A publication of the Indianapolis Star
• "Seven Easy Steps to the FAFSA: A Student's Guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid" tutorial (This tutorial is produced by the Financial Aid Office staff and student employees of University of California, Santa Barbara. It is designed to help current and perspective students navigate the FAFSA application in seven easy to understand steps.)
• Tax Benefits
• Common FAFSA Mistakes
• Student Aid Program Summary (describes eligibility requirements and features of student aid programs)  
• Financial Aid Application Checklist (running list of necessary actions with space for the student to enter due dates and to check off accomplished items)
• Application Form Tracking Worksheet (tracks each school's application and documentation requirements for aid)
• Cost of Attendance Comparison Worksheet (lays out and compares attendance costs for each school under consideration; focuses student's expectations to realistic levels)
• Award Package Comparison Worksheet (guides the family and counselor in comparing aid packages from different schools)
• Financial Aid Consultants and Scholarship Search Services Fact Sheet (helps avoid unnecessary and costly reliance on paid consultants to obtain help and advice that is available at no charge)
• Sample Scholarship Inquiry Letter (suggests how a student might inquire about financial aid from a private organization)
• Financial Aid Glossary (a glossary of common financial aid terms and acronyms)
• Income Tax Return Workshop (Spanish) (Filing an accurate and complete income tax return is important! Know the benefits of filing a personal or business tax return (and consequences of not doing so). Know the difference between a CPA, an accountant, a bookkeeper, and a tax preparer before filing your income taxes by attending this workshop.)