FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    ?
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    ROBERTO MARTINEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
    CONTACT
      
    PERSON
      
    Name: Dr. Beverly Sermons
    Phone: (850) 245-9488
    Email:
    beverly.sermons@fldoe.org
    K-12: 2005-54
    May 9, 2005
    M E M O R A N D U M
    TO: District School Superintendents
    FROM: Jim Warford, K-12 Chancellor
    SUBJECT: College Goal Sunday
    As part of the Department’s goal to improve student access to higher education, this
    memorandum is to inform and update you on the development of the College Goal Sunday
    (CGS) program as Florida prepares to host this event in February 2006. Guidance counselors
    from local school districts are partnering with community college and university representatives
    to implement the CGS program in an effort to increase access to quality postsecondary education
    options for students from low-income, first-generation, and families who have no college-going
    tradition. Increased financial aid for college will serve to improve the quality of education
    options for district graduates as they transition from high school to the postsecondary arena.
    The College Goal Sunday program is a volunteer, charitable program designed to help targeted
    families and first-generation college students complete the federal
    Free Application for Federal
    Student Aid
    , or FAFSA. Plans are being made to host the CGS event at various sites throughout
    the state, free of charge to families. With the assistance of guidance counselors and financial aid
    professionals, College Goal Sunday will provide families with step-by-step instructions on
    completing and submitting their financial aid forms.
    JIM WARFORD
    K-12 CHANCELLOR
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
    District School Superintendents
    May 9, 2005
    Page Two
    The CGS steering committee reviewed free and reduced lunch data to identify the high schools
    in Florida that potentially have the greatest number of students that fit the description of those for
    whom the CGS program was devised. Twelve high schools were selected based on these criteria
    and are representatives of the five school district service areas. Plans are being made to host
    events in the areas noted on the attached form in February 2006. Additional CGS sites will be
    launched in subsequent years.
    The steering committee has hired a public relations firm and is preparing a statewide media bliss
    to “get the word out” about the upcoming February 2006 event. As schools close for the summer
    and reconvene in the fall, further information will be disseminated to the districts and local high
    school guidance counselors. If you would like additional information and details about the
    College Goal Sunday program, visit the national website at www.CollegeGoalSundayUSA.org
    or contact Dr. Beverly Sermons by calling (850) 245-9488 or email beverly.sermons@fldoe.org.
    A list of the statewide steering committee members is also provided for your reference.
    JW/bs

    Back to top