I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your willingness to host the 2005 All-Florida Academic Team Awards Ceremony a

M E M O R A N D U M

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

JOHN L. WINN

Commissioner of Education

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

DONNA G. CALLAWAY

JULIA L. JOHNSON

ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ

PHOEBE RAULERSON

KATHLEEN SHANAHAN

LINDA K. TAYLOR

Memorandum Number 06-16

June 28, 2006

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:

Community College Presidents

FROM:

J. David Armstrong, Jr.

SUJECT:

College Goal Sunday – Call for Participation

College Goal Sunday (CGS) is a national initiative, funded through the Lumina Foundation, that

provides low income, first generation in college, and racial/ethnic minority students and families

with information about the availability of financial aid and with technical assistance in completing

the paperwork required to qualify for that aid. It is generally held on a Sunday closely preceding or

following Super Bowl Sunday. The CGS effort aligns with the Florida Department of Education’s

goal related to seamless articulation and maximum access, as well as priority goal number one of

the Florida Community College System’s new strategic plan – ensuring open door access and

student success.

Many thanks to those colleges that participated in the 2006 College Goal Sunday event, which was

well-received in its first year in Florida. According to survey data released by the National

Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Institute for Higher Education Policy,

89 percent of our participants were in the target audience (e.g., low income, first generation in

college, or minority). In fact, Florida ranked in the top three participating states in the nation for

percentage of target audience members attending the event. However, our biggest accomplishments

were the individual differences made in the lives of nearly 1,000 students who were encouraged and

supported with one-on-one advice to seek postsecondary education and financial aid opportunities.

J. D

, J

AVID

RMSTRONG

Chancellor, Community Colleges and Workforce Education

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1314 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0407 • www.fldoe.org/cc

Memorandum Number 06-16

Page Two

June 28, 2006

After a successful inaugural year, it is time to start planning for College Goal Sunday 2007! We

hosted 23 sites in our first year, and our 2007 goal is to add a total of 20 additional sites in 20

new counties. To accomplish this, we need the expertise and participation of all our community

colleges. The 2007 event is scheduled for February 25th. Additional information and training

for local CGS Site Coordinators will be provided by the Division early this fall.

I strongly encourage each institution to get involved with CGS in 2007 by hosting a site or by

expanding your involvement to include an additional site in a new county. Please confirm your

intent to participate in CGS 2007 and provide the name of your local CGS Site Coordinator by

August 1, 2006,

by contacting the CGS Statewide Coordinator:

Ms. Amy Albee

Coordinator of Outreach and Access

(850) 245-9488 or amy.albee@fldoe.org

Those of us at the Division look forward to working with you on this exciting project.

JDA/aac

c: Council for Student Affairs Members

Community College Financial Aid Directors

Stacey Webb, Assistant Chancellor

Judith Bilsky, Vice Chancellor

Amy Albee, Coordinator of Outreach and Access