Free financial aid assistance offered at College Goal Sunday

KOKOMO, Ind. - Applying for financial aid opens doors for grants and scholarships to help pay for college.

Financial aid experts at Indiana University Kokomo make filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) easier, with free assistance available at College Goal Sunday. Support is available from 2 to 4 p.m. on November 9 in the Library, 2300 South Washington Street, Kokomo. Students planning to attend any college can attend.

"We participate in College Goal Sunday because we want every student to know that paying for college doesn't have to be overwhelming," said Meredith Dittfield, assistant director of financial aid and scholarships. "Our goal is to make the financial aid process less stressful and more accessible. College Goal Sunday allows us to sit down with families one on one, answer their questions, and help them take that crucial step toward making college a reality. By guiding them through the process, we're helping open doors to opportunities that change their lives."

IU Kokomo is one of 34 sites statewide participating, offering expert help to complete the form required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. It must be filed by April 15, 2026 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid.

Now in its 37th year, College Goal Sunday has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. College Goal Sunday is a charitable program of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA).

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parent(s) or guardian(s), and parent(s) should bring completed 2024 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms, and other 2024 income and benefits information. Students who worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their completed 2024 IRS 1040 tax return, W-2 Form, or other 2024 income and benefits information. Students and parent(s) are encouraged to set up their U.S. Department of Education StudentAid.gov account at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.

Volunteers will be available to assist with the online form and answer all families' individual questions during College Goal Sunday. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and IU Kokomo will have Spanish interpreters available. A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.

Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The winners will be notified, and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.

The event is free, and free parking is available on campus. For more information go to CollegeGoalSunday.org.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.