The Northwest Education Loan Association is sponsoring the third annual College Goal Sunday event on Jan. 25, helping students across Washington access financial aid.
College Goal Sunday is a free, on-site program to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, required for federal assistance for higher education.
The event begins at 2 p.m. at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
About 63 percent of college students nationwide use financial aid, averaging $7,400 per year, according to the Northwest Education Loan Association.
"The biggest barrier to college is money and knowing where to get the money you need," association spokeswoman Danette Knudson said.
While the affordability of higher education remains a critical problem for working families nationwide, only 25 percent of Washington’s seniors completed federal college loan applications last year, according to the association.
"It is important that students and their families create a financial landscape that gives students a broad range of choices for higher education, whether they are headed for a four-year university or a local community college," Knudson said.
Preregistration is not required but an online sign-up guarantees a time slot. Step-by-step instruction takes about three hours.
Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend together because household financial information is a key part of completing the form. In addition to financial records (recent tax forms and/or pay stubs, etc.), students need to bring their Social Security number and driver’s license (if any). If families don’t have the paperwork together, they still are encouraged to attend to get started.
For more information, see www.collegegoalsundaywa.org or call 888-758-2253. The Peninsula College contact is Krista Francis at 417-6393 or kristaf@pcadmin.ctc.edu.
College Goal Sunday
What: Aid for families filling out Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
Where: Peninsula College campus, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles
Contact: 888-758-2253 or 417-6393
Web site: www.collegegoalsundaywa.org
