Before Super Bowl Sunday, Chattanooga will have College Goal Saturday.
The College Goal Initiative is a free, half-day conference organized by the Public Education Foundation so that high school students, parents, educators -- even current college students -- can learn how to succeed in college and apply for financial aid.
IF YOU GO
What: College Goal Initiative, a free college preparation conference When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: UTC University Center, 615 McCallie Ave.
"We believe that students and families have the power to make informed decisions," said PEF Vice President Stacy Lightfoot, who's in charge of the nonprofit Chattanooga organization's college and career success initiative.
Denis Bega, regional operations director for the U.S. Department of Education, will kick off the event with a speech titled, "Life After High School: It's Not Your Parents' College Anymore." More than 20 workshops have topics that range from interviewing and applying to highly selective colleges to "succeeding regardless of color or class."
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Saturday's event will offer more than 20 workshops including: * Financial aid 101 * Essay writing * First-year success at college * How to research like a pro * Navigating the college admissions process * Navigating the NCAA and becoming a Division 1 student-athlete * Resume writing, professionalism and interviewing * Strategies to apply to highly-selective colleges * Succeeding regardless of color or class * Tips for parents of new college students * What is an honors program and what can it do for me? * Writing recommendation letters in 30 minutes
Participants also will get help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the federal financial aid form that students and parents are required to file for students to be eligible to receive any state or federal aid.
"At any point throughout the conference, students can come to the financial aid office," said Jeff Rector, assistant director at UTC's Office of Financial Aid. "It'll be kind of a one-on-one thing."
The FAFSA is a 108-question form with a daunting reputation for being difficult to fill out.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Items students and parents need to fill out federal FAFSA financial aid form. The more you can bring on Saturday, the better: * Social Security card and driver's license * Most recent federal tax return and any 2014 W-2 forms * 2014 year-end pay stubs and records * Bank statements * Business information * Rent/mortgage information * Investment information * Federal/state financial support information * Child support information
"It can be overwhelming," Rector said. "Especially parents who haven't been through the process, and [high school] students that are first-generation college students."
Lightfoot encourages students as young as ninth grade to come Saturday. Those who haven't already registered for the College Goal Initiative can sign up at the door Saturday, she said.
Saturday's workshop is sponsored by PEF, UTC, YoungandWiser Inc, College Goal Tennessee, Girls Preparatory School, Naviance by Hobsons and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling.
Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/tim.omarzu or twitter.com/TimOmarzu or 423-757-6651.