Families get free help tapping college cash

College Goal Sunday set for February 13 with two West Michigan locations

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Dozens of volunteers from the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association will help hundreds of families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form or FAFSA. College Goal Sunday is slated for 2 p.m. February 13 - a time when students in West Michigan and around the state can receive one-on-one help filling out the form.

"The FAFSA is the initial step in the application process," said Jo Ann Litton, assistant director of financial aid at Grand Valley State University. "We can help prospective college students and their parents by answering questions or we can help them complete the entire form."

The FAFSA form is the primary document for determining most loans, grants and other aid nationwide. Litton said many families overestimate the cost of college and underestimate how much financial aid helps. She said students should fill out the form even if they are unsure about college because a decision can be made later about whether to accept the aid.

"Families shouldn't be put off from their college dreams," said Calvin College's Ed Kerestly, president of the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association. "Financial aid is there to build a bridge between families' financial resources and their student's educational goal."

Parents or students should bring their families completed 2004 IRS 1040 tax return if possible and their W-2 and other income records. The deadline to submit the FAFSA form is February 28.

College Goal Sunday begins at 2 p.m. with two locations in West Michigan. Grand Valley State University's Pew Campus DeVos Center 401 W. Fulton Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504

Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church 506 Eastern Ave. SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

MEDIA INTERVIEW CONTACTS: Ed Kerestly, president of the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association at 616-526-6137 Jo Ann Litton, assistant director of financial aid at Grand Valley State University at 616-331-3234

For more information, contact Grand Valley State University's News and Information Services department at 616-331-2221.