Written by Chris Herman
Financial Aid Director Patrick Kelly helps student understand FAFSA from last year.
On Jan. 29, 2012, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., students and their parents can receive one-on-one expert advice in learning about financial aid and planning for college during College Goal Sunday at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. The event takes place in Room 410 of Webb Hall.
David Mariasi, assistant to financial aid director, helps family from Rhode Island with web-based application from last year during College Goal Sunday.
Eastern is one of 12 locations around the state participating in the annual event. Students and their families will be able to talk with financial aid counselors and college staff in person to become familiar with college entrance requirements; learn about planning for college; and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid applications. In addition, valuable information will be shared about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and degree programs. Spanish interpreters will be available.
Kenneth Briggs,left, assistant to the director of financial aid, instructs student Wiley Dawson on how to help students apply for grants and scholarships last year.
For students who are the first ones to attend college, the process of applying for college can seem complicated, especially finding financial resources and applying for financial aid. Participating in College Goal Sunday gives students and their families a jump start on the pathway to college by learning about preparing for college and financial aid in a welcoming setting. Participants can get assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Most grants and scholarships require a completed FAFSA form, which does not obligate applicants to attend college, but is required for most sources of financial aid.
Members of Eastern's Financial Aid Office staff, left to right, are Kathy Wrana, Yolanda Sazo, Greg Ashford, Patrick Kelly, Dave Mariasi, Neville Brown and Ken Briggs.
College Goal Sunday is funded and sponsored by Lumina Foundation for Education, the Connecticut Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), the Connecticut Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (CAEOP), and the YMCAs of Connecticut.
For more information about the event, contact Neville Brown at brownn@easternct.edu or (860) 465-4428. For a list of all participating institutions and to find out what to bring to the event, visit www.collegegoalsundayct.org.
