UAM Hosts High School Students at College Goal Sunday

Staff Writer

   Prepared with calculators, notepads and other supplies, volunteers helped families and students fill out the Free Application for Student Aid during College Goal Sunday at the University of Arkansas—Monticello Writing Center Feb. 20.

Photo by Caleb Burger

A Daunting Task - Volunteers help students and families through the process of filling out a FAFSA at College Goal Sunday Feb. 20. The event took place in the Memorial Classroom Building.

   College Goal Sunday came from a joint effort between the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and Lumina Foundation for Education. The ADHE secures state funding and grants, and Lumina also provides grants. The AASFAA supplies volunteers and coordinates the events.

   Becky Hammett, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, has volunteered all five years that College Goal Sunday has existed to date.

   “It’s important to assist students in getting this application done,” she said.

   College Goal Sunday gears itself toward incoming freshmen and high school students. Although anyone may attend, advertising goes out to the high schools located in the region. Volunteers assist students by going over the form with them, explaining certain steps and answering any questions that come up.

   Nick Ryburn, a UAM financial aid analyst, said, “Most students came with everything they needed.”

   Sarah Kimbrell of Woodlawn, attended the event, getting help filling out the section on tax information.

   “I think they should keep this event going because it is very helpful,” Kimbrell said.

   Twenty-eight attended the event, and volunteers helped 18 of them fill out the free application.

   Arkansas joined the national event of College Goal Sunday in 2006. Currently 37 locations throughout the state participate in the event. In 2010, 2,632 students attended. 

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