ATLANTA – Financial aid experts will be available to help college bound students and their families complete the FAFSA at this year’s College Goal Georgia events to be held at 22 locations throughout the state in February and March.

Filling out the FAFSA is the first critical step in applying for federal and state grants, loans and scholarships to help pay for college. Last year, financial aid professionals assisted more than 900 students and their families apply for student aid through College Goal Georgia.

College Goal Georgia, part of the national College Goal SundaySM initiative, is sponsored by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). It is a free event where volunteers help students and families who need assistance in completing their FAFSA, with a particular focus on helping low-income, first-generation families.

The federal government requires a FAFSA from all students seeking financial aid, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans, to pay for college.

“GSFC and College Goal Georgia want to ensure finances and completing the FAFSA are not barriers to attending college for anyone, especially students from under-represented communities,” said Angie Newell, College Goal Georgia’s statewide coordinator. This year, participants can also enter to win one of three $1,000 scholarships.

To learn more about College Goal Georgia and specific date/time and site information, visit www.collegegoalsundayga.com, see the attached list or for additional information, please contact Mr. Jonathon Stroble, Senior Manager at (770) 724-9022 or jonathons@gsfc.org.

The College Goal Sunday program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education.

Currently, College Goal Sunday events are being held in 40 states and the District of Columbia and are funded in part by USA Funds.

About the Georgia Student Finance Commission

Since 1965 the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) has provided more than $10 billion in financial aid to help over two million Georgians achieve their dreams of higher education. GSFC funds and services education loans and administers multiple scholarship and grant programs, including the nationally acclaimed HOPE Scholarship and Grant Programs.

Additional information about GSFC products and services is available at www.gsfc.org or www.GAcollege411.org or (800) 505-GSFC (4732).