What is FAFSA Day Massachusetts?

FAFSA Day Massachusetts, a College Goal Sunday Program, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program in its 9th year providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is the federally required form for ALL students seeking federal financial aid for higher education. Students attending college during the 2013-2014 academic year, must complete the 2013-2014 FAFSA, available after January 1, 2013, at www.fafsa.gov, if they are interested in receiving federal and state financial aid.

What is financial aid?

Financial aid consists of grants, scholarships, loans and Federal Work-Study.

Grants and scholarships are free money that does not need to be repaid. Loans are money borrowed by the student to help cover education expenses and they need to be repaid - often with interest.

Student loans awarded to FAFSA applicants typically have lower interest rates, better repayment terms and more favorable borrower options than private student or parent loans.

Federal Work-Study is a federally subsidized program that provides opportunities for employment in order to help with educational expenses. Federal Work-Study is not deducted
from the bill and students are required to find their own employment.

When is FAFSA Day Massachusetts?

The state's ninth FAFSA Day Massachusetts program will take place on January 27, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at many locations around Massachusetts. Some sites will hold their events on other dates and times. Please check our Locations periodically for the latest site specific information.

Who should participate in FAFSA Day Massachusetts?

Students, families, and adult learners who want help applying for financial aid for the 2013-2014 academic year should attend a FAFSA Day Massachusetts site.

What do I need to bring?

Students and parents should EACH bring the following. Students born before January 1, 1990 do not need to bring parental information.

• FAFSA Pin (www.pin.ed.gov)
  
• Social Security Number
  
• Driver's License number
  
• Most recent federal tax return
  
• Most recent W-2 or year-end pay stub
  
• Untaxed income records
  
• Bank statement(s)
  
• Business and investment records
  
• Alien Registration Card (if not a U.S. Citizen)
  

Do students need to register?

Yes! In order to provide the best possible services to attendees, students are strongly encouraged,but are not required, to register by clicking the Register Now link on all www.fafsaday.org pages .

What if I am not sure whether or not I am going to college?

Many students are not sure if they will be attending right after high school or have been out of high school for some time. By filling out the FAFSA, there is no obligation to attend, nor decide, which college you plan on attending. However, by completing the FAFSA early deadlines will not be missed if you decide later this year to apply to college.

What if I cannot attend FAFSA Day Massachusetts or would like more assistance after January 30, 2011?

Students and families who need additional assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or who are looking for more resources on financial aid should visit their local Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). The EOC is funded by the TRIO Office of the U.S. Department of Education and offers FREE career and educational counseling/advising services for eligible people over the age of 19 who are considering postsecondary educational options. Locations exist in Boston, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Greater Springfield and Worcester through a project of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc.; in Brockton through a project of The Education Resources Institute (TERI); and in Leominster through a project of Mount Wachusett Community College.

Who Supports FAFSA Day Massachusetts?

FAFSA Day Massachusetts a College Goal Sunday program is supported and administered by a volunteer committee comprised of members of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA), as well as members of various community organizations that work with underserved populations. Funding for this program comes in part from Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis based, private, independent foundation that strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school.

Through research, grants for innovative programs and communication initiatives, Lumina Foundation addresses issues surrounding financial access and educational retention and degree of certificate attainment � particularly among underserved student groups, including adult learners. The foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people. Other partners for FAFSA Day Massachusetts include, American Student Assistance (ASA), Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) and The Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Who can I contact with questions?

Anyone interested in learning more about FAFSA Day Massachusetts may email us at massinfo@fafsaday.org.

In 1989, the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association (ISFAA) and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) started the program now known as “College Goal Sunday.” The financial aid community in Indiana recognized that information and direct assistance with completing the financial aid forms were key factors in helping children from minority, low income, and first generation families go to college.

Despite the fact that there were millions of dollars of financial aid available to many of these families, the stigma that higher education was too expensive was a huge barrier to large numbers of students who never even applied.

Funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. (and later the Lumina Foundation), made it possible to create this program that relied heavily on the expertise of financial aid administrators across the state. They chose a Sunday during February, Financial Aid Awareness Month, and named it “College Goal Sunday.” On this day, financial aid volunteers helped families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in various locations throughout the state.

The promotion of the College Goal Sunday event was instrumental in not only encouraging attendance at the multiple sites across the state, but also publicizing awareness. The information campaign is designed to reach low-income Indiana residents. The campaign uses news media, direct mail and celebrity appearances to inform the public about the importance of higher education, the availability of funds to assist in paying for this education and the existence of College Goal Sunday to help get the ball rolling by helping them complete the FAFSA.

Over the years, there has been continued financial support from the Lilly Endowment and beyond. USA Group Foundation has co-funded the program for several years and provided matching grants to replicate the College Goal Sunday program in Arizona (1997),
Kansas (1999), Kentucky (2001), Washington, D.C./Baltimore area, Hawaii and California (2002).

College Goal Sunday works! Over the past 14 years, 55,000 Indiana residents have been assisted. In the first year, there were 10 sites statewide and by 2003 there were 34 sites in 29 Indiana cities and towns. 450 individual volunteers offered their time and talent. Exit surveys prove: that it helps the targeted population complete a vital and often difficult task, that volunteer support continues to be vibrant and committed, and the more Indiana communities want to initiate their own sites.