FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

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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 MARTÍNEZ

PHOEBE RAULERSON

LINDA K. TAYLOR

December 14, 2005

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: District Superintendents

FROM: Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.

SUBJECT: College Goal Sunday

This is to update you on the development of the College Goal Sunday (CGS) Program as Florida prepares

to host this event on February 19, 2006. Guidance counselors from local school districts have partnered

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,

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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. The attached map depicts counties that will host the event in 2006.

The Statewide Steering Committee completed the planning year and with Herrle Communications Group

has launched a statewide media bliss to “get the word out” about the upcoming February 19, 2006, event.

As schools close for the holidays and reconvene in the new year, further information will be disseminated

to the districts and local high school guidance counselors. Additional details about the statewide program

http://www.floridacollegegoal.com/.

For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Sermons by calling (850) 245-9488 or email

beverly.sermons@fldoe.org.

CPY/bs

Attachment

CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.

CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org