When is College Goal Sunday?
Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 2 p.m.

College Goal Sunday is a 2-hour, moderated event that ends at 4 p.m. Step-by-step instructions for filling out the FAFSA begin at 2 p.m., and students and parents should arrive on time in order to have plenty of time to receive information and complete the FAFSA.

Pre-registration is not required.

Where is College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday will be held at various locations across the state of Wisconsin.

Who should attend?
Anyone interested in attending a postsecondary institution who might need financial assistance in paying for college. Also, if possible, please bring your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) with you.

What if I'm not sure whether or not I am going to college?
Many students are not sure if they will be continuing their education right after high school. By completing the FAFSA, there is no obligation to attend, and you will have this key form completed in case you decide to attend later that year.

What should I bring?
You will need to bring the following to College Goal Sunday. You can download the checklist as a reminder.

• Correct Social Security numbers (can be found on Social Security card)
• Driver's license (if any)
• 2007 federal tax returns
• 2006 federal tax returns, if 2007 returns are not complete
• 2007 untaxed income records (Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare or veterans benefits records)
• 2007 bank statements
• 2007 business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records
• Alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

What if I don't have all these materials or I forget something?
You can still attend even if your 2007 income information is incomplete or you forget something. You may file your FAFSA after the event once you do have the materials. You don?t want to miss out on the valuable instruction provided at College Goal Sunday.

What is a FAFSA PIN number and how do I get one?
You can submit the FAFSA information you complete at College Goal Sunday online to receive a faster response, but you will need a FAFSA PIN number. To obtain one, log on to www.pin.ed.gov. You will use your PIN to re-apply for financial aid each year, so don't lose it!

How long does College Goal Sunday last?
The session begins at 2 p.m. and is scheduled for two hours. It will begin with a brief introduction to the FAFSA completion process, followed by step-by-step instruction and assistance in completing the form. There will also be drawings for prizes at the conclusion of the program.

What if my parents can't come?
Bring all the materials and you should be able to complete most of the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday. Then you can finish completing the form with your parents later.

What if I can't go, but my parents can?
Your parents should bring all the materials and they should be able to complete most of the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday. Then you can finish completing the form with your parents later.

Will anyone see my personal information, such as family income?
You will be completing the FAFSA, and at no time will anyone ask to see your personal information. If you need help on a section that includes personal information, all information reviewed by the College Goal Sunday volunteers will be kept private and confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than helping you complete the FAFSA.

Will there be translation available?
If translation is available, it is noted in the site location information. Click here to find out more about the College Goal Sunday locations.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have questions about College Goal Sunday, call 866-578-GOAL (4625).

Frequently Asked Questions About the FAFSA

What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the form required of any student seeking federal financial aid, including federal student grants, Work-Study funds and loans. The application may also be used to apply for most state and some private financial aid. You can learn more about the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Do I have to complete my 2007 tax return before I submit my FAFSA?
If you or your parents are filing a 2007 income tax return, we recommend filing it before completing the FAFSA. However, the income tax return does not need to be sent to the IRS before filling out your FAFSA. Also, you can estimate your taxes if you plan to complete them later in the year. If you estimate, you should estimate as close to your actual anticipated income as possible; you will be required to provide your actual tax information once it is available.

Am I eligible for financial aid?
All students are eligible to apply for student financial assistance. Each year, colleges, universities and technical centers assist all students (including full-time, part-time, and day and evening students) in finding available funds from federal, state and campus sources to make educational programs affordable.

Many students don't apply for financial aid because they don't think they're eligible or because they don't understand student financial assistance regulations and procedures.

The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply using the FAFSA. It is impossible to determine your true eligibility without this document. At the very least you will qualify for a low-interest loan, but you could also be eligible for grants, scholarships and the Work-Study Program.

Can my parents and I fill out the FAFSA online?
Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA online. It is recommended that you and your parents get FAFSA PIN numbers first so you can sign the FAFSA electronically. Using an electronic signature eliminates having to print out, sign and send in a signed paper application. After filling out the pre-application worksheet at College Goal Sunday, submitting the information online should be a simple process.

My parents are separated or divorced. Which parent fills out the FAFSA?
Your FAFSA information should be completed based on the information of the parent you lived with most during the last 12 months. If you didn't live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the information of the parent who provided the most financial support to you in the most recent calendar year.

What if I don't have a Social Security number or don't want to report it on the form?
You must enter your Social Security number on the FAFSA form. If you don't submit your Social Security number, the form will be returned unprocessed and you will not be considered for federal and state aid.

When is a student independent?
Under the federal definition, an independent student is one who meets at least one of the following conditions:

• Is 24 years old (born before January 1, 1985, for academic year 2008-09)
• Is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Is an orphan (parents deceased) or a ward of the court (or was a ward of the court until age 18)
• Has legal dependents other than a spouse
• Is married
• Is a graduate or a professional student

My foster parents get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or welfare benefits for me because I am a ward of the court. Is this my income? (Paper FAFSA: Worksheet A, question #40; online FAFSA: Section 6)
No. These benefits are income for the person receiving them. Do not include as part of your income any TANF or welfare benefits received by another person even if they are designated for your support or care.

A family member gets Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or welfare benefits for me because I am a ward of the court. Is this my income? (Paper FAFSA: Worksheet A, question #40; online FAFSA: Section 6)
No. These benefits are income for the person receiving them. Do not include as part of your income any TANF or welfare benefits received by another person even if they are designated for your support or care.

I am a single parent with one child and will get free day care for my child (from family member or free day care center) while I go to college. Does this “free” income have to be reported on the FAFSA? (Paper FAFSA: Worksheet B, question #41; online FAFSA: Section 6)
No, this service is not income and the information is not collected on the FAFSA. However, note that you need to let your school know that you are receiving free dependent care; an allowance for dependent care may not be added to your cost of attendance.

I have a child who will be living with me, and my income will be from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Do I answer “yes” to Question #51? Are TANF or welfare benefits considered to be like earned income? (Paper FAFSA: Question 51; online FAFSA: Section 2)
You would answer “yes” to this question as long as you provide more than half of the child’s support. Note: TANF or welfare benefits that are paid to you are considered untaxed income and would be listed in Step 2, Worksheet A.

I am a ward of the court but graduated from high school and then went to live with my parent for two months. Did I lose my independent status? (Paper FAFSA: Question 53; online FAFSA: Section 2)
A student is considered to be independent if he or she is a ward of the court, or was a ward of the court until the individual reached the age of 18. If your ward of the court status changed before you reached age 18, you may be considered dependent on your parent. In that case, you should talk about your situation with the financial aid administrator at your college.

I am a dependent child of the court of my county. Is this the same as a “ward” of the court? (Paper FAFSA: Question 53; online FAFSA: Section 2)
The term “ward” is used to mean “dependent” of the court. You are a ward of the court (regardless whether this status is determined by the county or state) if the court has assumed custody of you. You should have court ordered documents that designate you a ward of the court.

I am no longer under the court because my foster parents took legal guardianship of me a few years ago. However, my foster parents do not support me with their own financial resources. They still get a foster care check each month for me. How do I answer question #53? (Paper FAFSA: Question 53; online FAFSA: Section 2)
You still can be a ward of the court if you have a legal guardian or foster parents; check with the court to determine your current status. Note: Neither legal guardians nor foster parents are considered parents when completing the FAFSA.

My parents died when I was very young. A family member or someone else is my court appointed, legal guardian. They have provided support for me all my life. How do I complete the FAFSA? (Paper FAFSA: Question 53; online FAFSA: Section 2)
You must complete the FAFSA as an independent student. A legal guardian is not considered a parent for purposes of completing the FAFSA.

I turned 18 and graduated, so my court case was closed. My college is saying I am no longer an independent student because I’m no longer a ward of the court. Am I considered dependent or independent? (Paper FAFSA: Question 53; online FAFSA: Section 2)
You are considered to be independent if you are a ward of the court, or were a ward of the court until you reached the age of 18. You should check “yes” to this question if you were a ward of the court until you reached 18.

I live with my foster parents and their children. Are they my "family members?" (Paper FAFSA: Question 90; online FAFSA: Section 4)
No. If you are considered independent (for example, because you are a ward of the court), and you have no dependent children of your own, you are a family of one (yourself).

I have filled out this form as an independent student because I am a ward of the court. Do I need my father's and/or mother's signature(s)? I don't live with them, but I see them sometimes. (Paper FAFSA: Question 99; online FAFSA: Signatures)
No. Because of your status as a ward of the court, you are considered an independent applicant; parental signatures are not required.