Indiana students get free help filing FAFSA forms at College Goal Sunday event – WRTV

Report on the College Goal Sunday Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The College Goal Sunday program is a state-wide initiative in Indiana designed to provide free, expert assistance to college-bound students and their families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scheduled for November 9 from 2-4 p.m., this event directly addresses critical barriers to higher education, thereby advancing several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For 37 years, the program, organized by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association, has successfully guided over 98,000 students and families through the financial aid application process.

Program Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The primary objective of College Goal Sunday is to demystify the FAFSA process, which is a prerequisite for federal and state grants, scholarships, and loans. By providing direct support, the program ensures students meet the April 15 state aid priority deadline, unlocking opportunities for post-secondary education. This mission is fundamentally aligned with the following SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The initiative is a direct enabler of Target 4.3, which aims to ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education. By facilitating access to financial aid, the program makes higher education a viable option for students who might otherwise be excluded due to economic constraints.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: College Goal Sunday actively works to reduce inequalities of outcome by ensuring that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds have an equal opportunity to apply for and receive financial aid. This support is crucial for leveling the educational playing field and promoting social mobility.
• SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By promoting access to higher education, the program serves as a long-term strategy for poverty reduction. An educated populace is better equipped for decent work, which in turn fuels sustainable economic growth and reduces the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (Target 8.6).

As stated by co-chair Bill Wozniak, “If our assistance gives students a better chance at education beyond high school and less debt, we’re fulfilling our mission.” This statement underscores the program’s role in creating sustainable futures for Indiana’s youth, in line with global development objectives.

Operational Details for Participants

To ensure a successful FAFSA filing experience, participants are advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Pre-Event Preparation: Students and parents are strongly encouraged to create their U.S. Department of Education StudentAid.gov accounts prior to attending the event.
2. Required Documentation: Attendees must bring specific financial documents to complete the application accurately.
   • Parents should bring completed 2024 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms, and other 2024 income and benefits information.
   • Students who were employed should also bring their own income information.
   • Students aged 24 or older may attend independently with their relevant 2024 financial documents.
3. On-Site Support: All locations are equipped with online FAFSA filing capabilities. Expert volunteers will be available to provide one-on-one assistance and answer questions. Many sites will also have Spanish interpreters available to ensure accessibility for all families.

Incentives and Support for Specific Programs

To encourage participation, students who attend and submit a completed evaluation form will be entered into a drawing for one of five $1,000 scholarships. Furthermore, the event provides critical support for participants in the 21st Century Scholars program, who are required to submit a FAFSA on time to receive state-funded college tuition assistance. College Goal Sunday offers these income-eligible students a dedicated pathway to fulfilling this crucial pledge requirement.

National Impact and Conclusion

The College Goal Sunday model, which originated in Indiana, has been successfully replicated in over 34 states. This national adoption highlights its effectiveness in promoting educational access and equity. The program serves as a powerful tool for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by transforming access to higher education from a possibility into a reality for thousands of students annually, thereby fostering a more educated, equitable, and prosperous society.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on “College Goal Sunday” highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The core focus of the article is on facilitating access to tertiary education. The “College Goal Sunday” program helps students navigate the complexities of financial aid applications, a critical step for enrolling in colleges, universities, and vocational schools. This directly supports the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The program aims to level the playing field for all students, particularly those from families who may find the financial aid process “too complicated and time-consuming.” By providing free, expert assistance, the initiative reduces inequalities in opportunity, ensuring that a student’s ability to access higher education is not hindered by their family’s familiarity with administrative processes. The specific mention of helping “21st Century Scholars,” who are “income-eligible students,” underscores the focus on reducing economic barriers to education.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  By enabling students to secure financial aid and pursue higher education with “less debt,” the program contributes to long-term poverty reduction. Education is a key driver of economic mobility, and by helping students access it, the initiative provides a pathway to better employment opportunities and financial stability, thereby addressing the root causes of poverty.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

   The “College Goal Sunday” program directly works towards this target by assisting students with the FAFSA, which is a prerequisite for financial aid at “most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide.” The program’s mission is to give students a “better chance at education beyond high school,” thus promoting equal access to tertiary education.

2. Target 4.b: By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available… for enrolment in higher education.

   Although the 2020 deadline has passed, the principle of this target is central to the article. The program helps students apply for “federal and state grants, many scholarships, and federal student loans.” Furthermore, the event itself incentivizes participation by entering students into a “drawing for one of five $1,000 scholarships,” directly contributing to the expansion of available scholarships.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.

   The initiative promotes economic inclusion by ensuring that students from all backgrounds, including “income-eligible students” like the “21st Century Scholars,” can navigate the financial aid system. By removing procedural barriers, the program empowers students who might otherwise be excluded from higher education due to economic status or lack of resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 4.3: Number of students and families assisted.

  The article explicitly states that the program “has helped more than 98,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time.” This figure serves as a direct indicator of the number of individuals who have been given assistance to access tertiary education.

• Indicator for Target 4.b: Volume of financial aid made accessible.

  The article implies this indicator by stating the FAFSA is required for “federal and state grants, many scholarships, and federal student loans.” The success of the program can be measured by the number of students who successfully file the FAFSA and subsequently receive financial aid. A direct indicator mentioned is the awarding of “five $1,000 scholarships” to participants.

• Indicator for Target 10.2: Participation of students from vulnerable groups.

  The article implies this indicator through its mention of the “21st Century Scholars” program, which targets “income-eligible students.” The number of these specific scholars who are successfully assisted by “College Goal Sunday” would be a key indicator of progress in reducing economic inequalities in educational access.

• Indicator for SDG 1 (Implied): Reduction of student debt.

  The article quotes a co-chair stating a goal is to give students “less debt.” Measuring the amount of grant and scholarship aid secured by participants versus loans would be an indicator of progress towards reducing the financial burden on students, which contributes to long-term financial health and poverty prevention.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wrtv.com