Event Scheduled to Help with the College Financial Aid Process

Columbia State Community College will host College Goal Sunday, an event that provides assistance with the financial aid process, on Sunday, February 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Jones Student Center on the Columbia campus.

"I want to encourage students and parents that are even remotely thinking about attending college to take the opportunity and attend this very important event," explains Pauletta Burns, Columbia State's director of financial aid. "Apply today by visiting www.tn.gov/CollegeGoalSunday, then clicking on the Student Registration link on the top left hand side of the page to register online. This session is free and open to anyone who is interested in attending college, not just students who are interested in attending Columbia State."

College Goal Sunday is designed to assist college-bound students and parents with finding state and federal financial aid for college. The event offers help in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application form. The FAFSA form should be submitted before March 1 to get the maximum aid available, even if the student has not selected a college. The form also serves as the application for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award programs. Staff from the college and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation will provide a FAFSA presentation, one-on-one information, and question/answer sessions that will benefit students and parents in different stages of the financial aid process.

To expedite the process, students and parents need to register for a U.S. Department of Education personal identification number (PIN), available at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN serves as an electronic signature and provides students and parents with access to personal records throughout the student's college education. Students and parents (if dependent) also need to bring his or her 2009 IRS tax returns, W-2 statements, social security card and driver's license.

College Goal Sunday is a non-profit program that provides free information and assistance to Tennessee families applying for financial assistance for higher education. For more information on College Goal Sunday and to review items to bring with you, please visit www.tn.gov/CollegeGoalSunday. To contact Columbia State's financial aid office, call (931) 540-8267.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation.