The College Goal Sunday program provides college bound students and families with free assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the college financial aid application. Financial aid administrators from across Arkansas will be available to offer hands-on assistance in completing the college financial aid application.

Bronwyn Sneed, director of financial aid at SAU, Bronwyn Sneed, said this is the second year for the College Goal Sunday program which is held all over the state. “This is a great opportunity for prospective students to come and have help with financial aid forms,” added Sneed.

College Goal Sunday was originally created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. and supplemental financial support from the Lumina Foundation for Education. In 2007, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education received approval of a three-year, $150,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education to fund the implementation of the College Goal Sunday program in Arkansas. Currently, 42 states host a College Goal Sunday event and more than 1160 students and families attended College Goal Sunday in 2007. Those families were able to receive personal, hands-on assistance in completing the college financial aid application. More than 650 Arkansans volunteered their time to assist families at College Goal Sunday.

According to statewide coordinator for Arkansas College Goal Sunday, Scott Medlin: “The Arkansas College Goal Sunday program is an effort by hundreds of volunteers from across Arkansas…with the common goal of making sure that the process of applying for financial aid for college does not become an obstacle that would keep any person from pursuing an education beyond high school. By attending a College Goal Sunday event, participants will receive free assistance in completing the FAFSA, and will walk away with a completed financial aid application and the satisfaction of knowing they have tackled on of the biggest steps in getting ready to go to college.”

For more information, contact Medlin at 479-739-8400 or call the Arkansas Department of Higher Education at (800) 54-STUDY. A complete listing of College Goal Sunday locations is available at www.arcollegegoalsunday.org.

The day begins with registration at 8:30 to 9 a.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center. The day is geared toward showcasing all aspects of college, including academic colleges and the honors college, athletics, student life, housing and residential interest groups, financial aid and admissions/advising. A representative from all four colleges at the University including the College of Business, Education, Liberal and Performing Arts and Science and Technology will be on hand to answer questions. Students will also have the opportunity to set in on a college class while on campus.

“Preview Day is a great opportunity for students to ask important questions about college so they can get a sense of what college is going to be like,” said Sarah Jennings, dean of enrollment services.

An expo showcasing the types of activities students can participate in during college will be offered from 11:30 a.m. throughout the afternoon. Lunch will be served at noon and will include entertainment by the SAU cheerleaders and the Encore performance group.

The day will conclude in the afternoon with campus tours and afternoon activities include an expo and games. Participants will have an opportunity to win prizes and will receive a free Mulerider T-shirt.

The next Preview Day will be held on the afternoon of November 29 in conjunction with the Celebration of Lights event on campus and plans are being made for a Preview Day in the spring as well.

For more information, call the Office of Admissions at 1-800-332-7286 or go to www.saumag.edu/rsvp. Students and parents who are unable to attend Preview Day are welcome to call and schedule a campus tour for another date.