JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - “JUST GET HERE” is being advertised to thousands of high school students in Missouri.

Aimed at graduating high school seniors planning to enroll in a college or university this fall, the slogan encourages students to participate in Missouri’s Third Annual College Goal Sunday on Feb. 12, 2006.

A session will take place at at Cornell Auditorium in Matthews Hall at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12.

The program intends to help students understand how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine eligibility for student grants, loans, scholarships and student employment for tuition plus school expenses.

Fall term financial aid can be determined as early as March 1, 2006, and it’s advised to file as soon as possible. Every college-bound student is eligible to take part in this free of charge, one-day event.

Many financial aid professionals throughout Missouri have committed to playing a part in this year’s College Goal SundaySM by hosting a site at a high school, college or university. Missouri high school seniors and their respective parents or guardians are invited to attend one two-hour information session from 2 - 4 p.m. at any of the nearest 27 participating program locations.

Volunteers and financial aid experts will be on hand to help with the completion and filing of the student FAFSA forms. The program targets students who have had no prior experience with the FAFSA forms or may not have considered attending college because the funds weren’t readily accessible to finance college tuition. College Goal Sunday was created with these types of barriers in mind.

For complete information on College Goal Sunday participating sites, visit www.collegegoalmissouri.com.

Students are encouraged to review the information on the website prior to arriving so they can bring all of the necessary documentation, including each individual’s 2005 federal tax information in order to fill out their FAFSA forms completely.

Part of a nationally based program, College Goal Sunday is made possible by the Lumina Foundation. Co-sponsoring the Missouri event each year since its inception three years ago, are the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), the Missouri Department of Higher Education, and the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel (MASFAP).

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Note: A complete list of the 2006 College Goal Sunday participating sites are as follows:

Kansas City Area
Avila University, Kansas City, MO
Metropolitan Community College- Maple Woods, Kansas City, MO
Northeast High School, Kansas City, MO
William Jewell College, Liberty, MO

Southwestern Missouri
Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO
Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, MO

Northwestern Missouri
Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO
Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO

North Central Missouri
Moberly Area Community College Kirksville, Kirksville, MO

Southeastern Missouri
Hayti High School, Hayti, MO
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO

St. Louis Area
East Central College, Union, MO
Gateway Middle School, St. Louis, MO
Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
Jefferson College, Hillsboro, MO
Maryville University of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
St. Charles Community College, St. Charles, MO
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, Florissant, MO
St. Louis Community College at Meramec, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Mid-Missouri
Linn State Technical College, Linn, MO
Stephens College, Columbia, MO
University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO
William Woods University, Fulton, MO

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