College Goal Sunday seeks to increase college attendance

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan's struggling economy has many people pursuing higher education and ways to afford it. College Goal Sunday is designed to increase the number of students who continue education beyond high school and earn post-secondary degrees.

College Goal Sunday, scheduled for February 8, from 2-4 p.m. at various locations across West Michigan and the state, will help students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The FAFSA is required of any student seeking financial aid including grants, loans and many scholarships.

“Parents should not underestimate the amount of financial aid available,” said Ed Kerestly, director of Financial Aid for Grand Valley State University. “Statistics show students who complete and submit FAFSA forms are more likely to go on to college.”

On College Goal Sunday financial aid experts will be available to guide students through each step of completing and filing the FAFSA. Students should bring a completed 2007 IRS 1040 tax return (if possible) or their W-2 and 1099 forms.

College Goal Sunday sites in West Michigan include:

Grand Valley State University-Pew Grand Rapids Campus, DeVos Center
Hope College in Holland-Van Zoeren Hall, room 151
Baker College in Muskegon-The Library Learning Connection
Western Michigan University-Schneider Hall
Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency in Fremont

Students attending the event have a chance to win prizes including a Dell laptop computer, and scholarship money worth $200, $500 or $1,000.

For more information, contact Ed Kerestly, director of Financial Aid at GVSU at (616) 331-3234 or visit www.micollegegoal.org.