Eastern Oklahoma State College, Press Release, College Goal Sunday Offers Students and Families Opportunity to Learn About Ways to Pay for College

College Goal Sunday Offers Students and Families Opportunity to Learn About Ways to Pay for College
(Press Release 2-02-05)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

This February, students and their parents can have one-on-one, expert advice in learning about financial aid and planning for college during the upcoming statewide event, College Goal SundaySM.

On Sunday, Feb. 13, students and their families can attend College Goal Sunday and visit with financial aid counselors and college staff in person from 2-4 p.m., at Eastern Oklahoma State College, McAlester Campus. In a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid application forms. (Those interested in this service should bring their latest tax information to the event.) In addition, valuable information will be shared about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and different degree programs.

More than 30 higher education institutions are participating in College Goal Sunday. For a complete listing of participating colleges and universities, go to www.okhighered.org and click on “College Goal Sunday” or call 1.800.858.1840.

College Goal Sunday is sponsored in part by Lumina Foundation for Education; Oklahoma GEAR UP; the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program; Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; Sonic, America’s Drive-In; and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

“College Goal Sunday makes it easy and enjoyable for students and parents to learn about useful resources that can make attending college more affordable,” said Chancellor Paul G. Risser. “Parents can also find out how to encourage their kids to consider and prepare for college early.”

The College Goal SundaySM 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.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. The grant has been matched by more than $25 million from state and partner resources. With the addition of year six federal funding, Oklahoma's GEAR UP program has received approximately $25 million in federal funds since 1999. GEAR UP receives 50 percent of total funding from the federal government and 50 percent from other organizations.