Maryland Higher Education Commission

January 2009 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: January 30, 2009                                          Media Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen
                                                                                                                     Communications: (410) 260-4511

 

 

College Goal Sunday Prepares Students for College in Pleasant Environment

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 30, 2009) – Students interested in attending college who need help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form can participate in a free one-day event called College Goal Sunday in which experts will advise students and families on filling out the form.

Numerous College Goal Sunday events are scheduled throughout February.  Events include:

• Goucher College, Van Meter Hall. February 8 from 2-4 p.m. Contact Sharon Hassan at shassan@goucher.edu. (Snow date is February 15).
• Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus Student Services Building, first floor. February 8 from 2-4 p.m. Contact Wendy Maldonado at wendy.maldonado@montgomerycollege.edu.
• Glen Burnie High School, 7550 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie, MD 21060. February 8 from 2-4 p.m. Contact labellomo@loyola.edu.
• Loyola College in Maryland, 4501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, Sellinger Hall Atrium. February 8 from 12-4 p.m. Contact Ms. Tonya Lewis, program coordinator at (410) 617-1545 or tlewis@loyola.edu.
• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Dundalk campus. February 15 from 2-4 p.m. Contact Mark Gay at mgay@ccbcmd.edu. (Snow date is February 22).
• Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785. February 22 from 1-4 p.m. Contact Q.T. Jackson at qtj@umd.edu. (Snow date is March 1).

“Money for college is available,” Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr., said. “Governor O’Malley included nearly $110 million in his fiscal year 2010 budget for scholarships and grants. However, students need to file the FAFSA to receive scholarships or grants administered by the Maryland Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.”

Students and families should be prepared if they attend College Goal Sunday events. They need to bring the PIN they receive by going to www.pin.ed.gov at least one week before College Goal Sunday. A PIN is needed for both the student and at least one parent. Also, latest tax information (2007 Tax Returns) for both students and parents should be brought along as well as 2007 W-2 forms, Social Security numbers, proof of Social Security benefits received in 2007 (if applicable), amounts of untaxed income received in 2007 (if applicable), knowledge of checking and savings account balances and knowledge of the worth of other family assets (other than their home).

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 326,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.

 

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