MARQUETTE, Mich.—Northern Michigan University will host College Goal Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Ontario and Michigan rooms of the University Center. NMU is one of 21 sites statewide offering students and their parents free, on-site professional assistance filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Representatives will also be available to discuss financial aid resources for students enrolling at any university, how to apply for aid, statewide university admission requirements and available student services.

The experts at College Goal Sunday will help make sure the FAFSA worksheet is filled out correctly. This will allow families to complete the online form and submit it before the March 1 priority date.

A recent study by the American Council on Education found that half of undergraduates failed to complete the FAFSA and that an estimated 850,000 more low-income students could have received a Pell Grant if only they had filed the FAFSA.

“The college price tag can be scary,” said Bryan Taylor, president of Partnership for Learning, which is coordinating the non-profit effort. “But on average, students pay less than half the cost. The other part gets picked up by scholarships and grants while loans can cover the rest — as long as students file a FAFSA to qualify for them.”

Students should bring the following material to College Day Sunday: social security numbers for the student and, if 23 or younger and a dependent, a parent or legal guardian; driver’s license; W-2 forms or other records of money earned; student’s and parent’s (or spouse’s, if married) 2009 income tax returns; information regarding child support, workers compensation or disability information; most recent bank statements; most recent business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records; and an alien registration card if not a U.S. citizen. If 2009 information is not available, please bring 2008 tax returns. 

A representative from Michigan Works will also be on site to answer questions. For more information, visit www.micollegegoal.org or call the NMU financial aid office at 227-2327.