APSU Financial Aid to host College Goal Sunday in January

Clarksville, TN – For the sixth year, Austin Peay State University will participate in College Goal Sunday to assist students needing money to go to college.

College Goal Sunday is a statewide, one-day initiative coordinated by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corp. to help prospective students and parents in finding state and federal financial aid for their postsecondary education.

Locally, APSU’s Office of Student Financial Aid is in charge of arrangements for the event.

College Goal Sunday will begin at 2:00pm, January 30th in the Morgan University Center on campus. The informational session is free and open to students planning to attend college at the start of the Fall 2011 semester.

The event will include a presentation about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process, one-on-one information and a question-and-answer session. If students wish to receive assistance in completing their FAFSA application, 2010 federal tax information will be needed.

February is National Financial Aid Awareness Month, and College Goal Sunday is one way to encourage students to apply for funding early. Several other colleges and universities in Tennessee are participating in College Goal Sunday.

According to TSAC, research shows that families often cite high cost as the main barrier to college attendance, although various forms of financial aid are available.

Donna Price, director of student financial aid and veterans affairs at APSU, said students and their parents often don’t complete the FAFSA paperwork early enough to qualify for the best possible package.

“College Goal Sunday provides an opportunity to get a head-start on this important process,” she said. “In today’s economy, families need to begin the process as early as possible.”

The FAFSA form, used at colleges and technical schools nationwide, should be submitted before February 15th to get the maximum aid available. The form also serves as the application for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship and TSAC award programs.

For more information about the FAFSA or College Goal Sunday, visit the TSAC website at www.TN.gov/collegegoalsunday.