College Goal Sunday was a nationwide program that helped college and career training students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form necessary to qualify for many student aid programs to pay for postsecondary education and career training expenses. It was of particular importance to low-income and first-generation students. College Goal Sunday began in Indiana in 1989 as a joint project of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., but expanded nationwide.

The Alaska program – initially Alaska College Goal Sunday and later College Goal Alaska – was made possible through a three-year grant from the Lumina Foundation awarded in 2004 to the Coalition of Alaskans Supporting Higher Education (CASHE). A second grant from the Lumina Foundation funded the 2008, 2009, and 2010 College Goal Alaska programs. The 2011 and 2012 programs were funded by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE). The 2013 program was funded by ACPE with support from the U.S. Department of Education's College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP). The 2014 and 2015 programs were funded by ACPE with support from USA Funds. The 2016 CGA program was funded by ACPE with support from the National College Access Network (NCAN). Since 2017, College Goal Alaska (now FAFSA Time Alaska) programs have been funded entirely by ACPE.

The first Alaska College Goal Sunday took place on February 13, 2005. At that time, financial aid experts provided assistance to 690 high school students and their families in 7 communities. Since that inaugural event, the success of the Alaska program has been recognized nationally.

Over the years, there has been a steady growth in the number of FAFSA Events held statewide (70 on-site events in 2018-2019 season), and the number of FAFSA Filers (more than 2,000 in 2018-2019 season) accessing millions of dollars in student financial aid.

With the beginning of 2019-2020 FAFSA season, the program is known as FAFSA Time Alaska – a necessary shift to ensure the purpose of this initiative is conveyed clearly, and to reaffirm ACPE’s mission – to promote access to and success in all forms of education beyond high school.

What is FAFSA Time Alaska?

FAFSA Time Alaska is a statewide program that provides free assistance to Alaskans who are applying for student financial aid. It brings financial aid professionals from postsecondary institutions in Alaska together with ACPE representatives and other volunteers to help college and career training students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a form that must be filled out by students seeking federal, state, and institutional financial aid to cover education expenses. The FAFSA is an application for grants, such as Federal Pell Grants or the Alaska Education Grant (AEG); loans; work-study; and scholarships, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).

Who should attend FAFSA Time Alaska?

Anyone who is considering college or career training, and who would like assistance filling out the FAFSA (students and parents/legal guardians of dependent students, or students and spouses of independent students) should attend FAFSA Time Alaska.

When and where are FAFSA Time Alaska events taking place?

FAFSA Time Alaska events are held across Alaska at different times and on different dates between October 1, 2019 and April 30, 2020. For specific dates and locations, please refer to the Schedule section on this site.

Is there anything I should do before attending a FAFSA Time Alaska event?

You and one of your parents (if a dependent student), or you and your spouse (if married and therefore an independent student) should each create an FSA ID before attending a FAFSA Time Alaska event.

Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. FSA ID is used to confirm a person's identity when accessing financial aid information and electronically signing federal student aid documents, such as the FAFSA. To create an FSA ID, click here.

What items should I have readily available at a FAFSA Time Alaska event?

• Student's Social Security number
• Student's parents' Social Security numbers (for a dependent student)
• Student's spouse's Social Security number (if married)
• Student's driver's license number (if any)
• Alien Registration number if a student is not a U.S. citizen
• 2018 Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information; for a student and for student’s parents if a dependent student, or for a student and student’s spouse if married:
  • IRS Form 1040
  • Foreign tax returns (if any)
  • Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau (if any)
• Records of untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for a student, and for student's parents if a dependent student
• Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which student and parents live); and business and farm assets for a student, and for student's parents if a dependent student

Will I need to complete my 2019 tax return before filing the FAFSA?

No. If you are filling out the 2020-2021 FAFSA, you will need the 2018 tax returns.

Do I need my parents' financial information to file the FAFSA even if they do not support me financially?

If you are considered a dependent student, you will need to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid.

When should I fill out the FAFSA?

You should fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1. College-bound students should make sure that they meet deadlines for financial aid, which are often in February. The date of filing the FAFSA is also one of the factors that impacts the awarding of the Alaska Education Grant. The sooner, the better.

What if I have more questions about the FAFSA?

For detailed information about the federal student aid and the FAFSA, please click here. You may also visit your postsecondary institution's Financial Aid Office.

Where can I get help if I cannot make it to a FAFSA Time Alaska event?

Visit the ACPE Success Center located in the Dimond Center Mall at 800 E. Dimond Blvd., Ste. 200, Anchorage, AK 99515 (2nd level near the movie theatre). We welcome walk-ins Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm, and appointments on Mondays, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

If you cannot stop by in person, or would like to make an appointment, call the ACPE Success Center at (907) 269-7980.