In the midst of financial aid season, governors, legislators, and commissioners from state departments of education are actively addressing the importance of higher education through proclamations and public press conferences focusing on College Goal Sunday (CGS).

South Dakota

"Whereas every resident of South Dakota should have the opportunity to obtain training and education beyond high school in order to meet personal and career goals," begins the Executive Proclamation South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds' executive proclamation. In declaring February 10, 2008 as CGS in South Dakota, Rounds joins other governors, state legislators, and education commissioners in acknowledging and promoting CGS in 35 states plus the District of Columbia for 2008. South Dakota's CGS program (www.collegegoalsd.org) in its second year and led by statewide coordinator Jay Larsen, financial aid director at South Dakota State University. SD CGS will assist families with the completion of the FAFSA at 13 locations across the state.

Ohio

The Ohio CGS program is working closely with Governor Ted Strickland who has declared February financial aid awareness month. "Working collaboratively to inform and assist Ohioans with options for paying for college is an essential piece of overcoming financial barriers typical of many first-generation, low-income students," said Gregory Guzman, Director of Financial Aid at Bowling Green State University and statewide coordinator of Ohio's CGS program (www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org), which will take place on Sunday, February 10 at 38 locations across the state.

Colorado

Thirteen mayors in Colorado are delivering proclamations for Colorado's CGS program (www.collegegoalcolorado.org) taking place on February 9 and 10. The support of the mayors and Colorado's Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. has made it possible for Colorado to expand the number of sites it is offering in its second year. Many of the state's mayors will be in attendance at the sites in their cities. "It has been truly heartwarming to work with the mayors and their city council members and to hear their enthusiasm and support for College Goal Sunday and our goal of providing access to higher education," said Colorado CGS co-coordinator Lydia MacMillan. "I am thrilled that we have had such overwhelming participation." As a volunteer-run program having this kind of support is crucial to the program's success.

Kentucky

The Kentucky Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (www.kasfaa.com) scheduled the signing of a proclamation with Governor Steve Beshear declaring February Financial Aid Awareness Month, according to Rick Wilson, KASFAA Public Relations Chair.

"The future success of our young people depends on the availability of high quality, affordable educational opportunities," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "A scholarship, grant or loan can determine whether one continues to postsecondary education. It's crucial for students and their parents to investigate all financial aid programs available to them."

The Kentucky House of Representatives also filed a resolution declaring February as Financial Aid Awareness Month.

"KASFAA very much appreciates the Governor and the state legislature declaring February Financial Aid Awareness Month across the Commonwealth," explained KASFAA President Bryan Erlan. "We just hosted CGS at 20 sites across the state and this proclamation reinforces the importance of filing the FAFSA form in a timely manner. Just another way the state of Kentucky is promoting access to higher education."

Arkansas

On January 31, 2008, Governor Mark Beebe of Arkansas signed two proclamations related to financial aid awareness. One is a proclamation designating Sunday, March 2 as Arkansas' CGS day. The second proclamation declares February as the state's Financial Aid Awareness Month. Both of these proclamations are projects of the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Financial Aid Awareness Committee. The proclamation signing will be recorded for television and Governor Beebe will provide a few remarks about the importance of higher education.

"The Arkansas CGS program is very appreciative that Governor Beebe has shown such an interest in helping to promote and encourage college access for Arkansas families, says Scott Medlin from the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, a co-coordinator of the Arkansas CGS Program (www.arcollegegoalsunday.org). "CGS is an important program that works directly with students and families to remove the barriers that families encounter in applying for assistance through the federal and state financial aid programs. We are proud to be able to offer this helpful financial aid awareness program to families across Arkansas."

Florida

A press conference given by Florida's Commissioner of Education Jeanine Bloomberg will kick off Florida's third CGS event (www.fldoe.org/collegegoalsunday/) to be held on February 24, 2008 at over 50 locations throughout the state. Amy Albee, Coordinator of Outreach and Access at Florida's Department of Education and the CGS Statewide Coordinator has led this important initiative since its inception in 2006.

"Unfortunately there are barriers that prevent students who dream of going to college from applying for financial aid," said Albee. "These include that some believe they don't qualify and others don't understand the form or process. For others there is a language barrier." Florida will be offering translation for families who need translation in Spanish and Creole. "For the third year our solution to these daunting obstacles is Florida College Goal Sunday," explained Albee.

North Dakota

North Dakota will be offering its first program this year and Governor John Hoeven has declared that February 10, 2008 will be CGS in North Dakota. "What Are You Doing After High School?" is the welcome on the state's CGS newly developed Web site at www.collegegoalnd.org. Eight locations throughout the state will assist families complete the FAFSA.

"We are thrilled to have the governors support as we plan to assist many families in the first year of our state program" said Laura Teigen with Student Loans of North Dakota and co-coordinator of CGS in North Dakota. Laura along with Katie Nettell, Financial Aid Director at Lake Region State College, have led the state's effort in offering this important program for North Dakota's families.

Missouri

The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) has supported CGS Missouri (www.collegegoalmissouri.com) with a $10,000 grant and will also hold a site at their offices this year. Thirty sites will be offered throughout the state to assist families complete the FAFSA on February 10, 2008. MDHE has annually assisted the CGS volunteers in their work with high school counselors and other school officials, which is needed to reach students and families in the state.

"The Missouri Department of Higher Education has been a terrific partner to CGS Missouri," said Mindy Beckley-Hager, of Student Capital Corp and co-coordinator of CGS. "As we begin our 5th year, MDHE continues to provide the resources and support needed to help CGS reach Missouri students and provide free, professional advice for FAFSA completion. This year, MDHE has not only offered financial support - they are also a host site and doing an amazing job in promoting the event in Central Missouri. We continue to look to MDHE for their ongoing support of this important initiative".

Tennessee

Tennessee's CGS Program (http://www.collegegoalsundaytn.org) has reached out to 62 state legislators to record public service announcements to be sent to the radio stations in their communities promoting CGS. The program provided a script for them and set up the recording session at Legislative Plaza where radio station recordings took place. This is the second year that Tennessee state legislators have participated and the number of participants has nearly doubled for this year.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission continues to be a strong partner for CGS and with 33 sites being offered this year on February 10. With the assistance of Tennessee's state government, approximately 50,000 state employees received emails announcing the event.

"We continue to garner support for CGS in Tennessee," stated Darolyn Porter, statewide CGS coordinator from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corp. "The comments that we receive when we have the opportunity to promote the program are always positive, especially when we tell them the program is FREE".

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.

Posted 02/05/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.