Columbia, SC—The Commission on Higher Education (CHE) announced today the kickoff of College Goal South Carolina (College Goal SC). The annual initiative, which runs through April 15, 2022, assists students and families with the college financial aid process.

At College Goal SC events, students and families can connect with college financial aid officers and volunteers for guidance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the application is an important first step in students’ college financial planning process, as many forms of federal, state, and institutional aid consider it an eligibility requirement for aid.

Alfie Mincy, a TRIO Program Director and counselor in the Lexington County area, commented, “College Goal SC is so important since completing this required form correctly and by the deadline is sometimes perceived to be complicated and time consuming, especially for first-generation college students and their families.” 

During the 2020-21 academic year, 54 College Goal SC events were held throughout the state. Sixty-five percent of South Carolina’s high school seniors submitted the FAFSA, exceeding the national average by 6.4 percent. South Carolina placed 12th nationally in FAFSA completions. 
 
This year, the CHE will introduce a statewide FAFSA completion competition as part of the College Goal SC initiative. The competition, which is co-sponsored by the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, will group schools based on enrollment size and award a cash prize to the school within each group that has the highest percentage of seniors submitting FAFSAs. The CHE will monitor participating schools’ FAFSA completion throughout the course of the competition and make status announcements regularly.

Ray Jones, vice president of loans at the SC Student Loan Corporation, commented, “We believe all residents of our state should have equal access to higher education. Completing the FAFSA allows South Carolinians access to financial aid, making higher education attainable for everyone. We are so appreciative to CHE for our continued partnership in this initiative.”

College Goal SC events are possible because of the CHE’s partnerships with national and state organizations. Advisement and resources are obtained through the National College Attainment Network (NCAN). Event volunteers are supplied through CHE’s partnerships with the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation; TRIO programs at University of South Carolina, Midlands Technical College, and South Carolina State University; and the South Carolina Association for State Financial Aid Administrators (SCASFAA).

CHE’s president and executive director, Dr. Rusty Monhollon, said, “Having been a volunteer in previous years, I’ve seen firsthand that many of our students need financial aid, and moreover, help in figuring out how to attain it. I believe College Goal SC has been impactful for many families, and I’m optimistic this year’s program will continue that.”

Both in-person and virtual events are scheduled throughout the state. If you would like to learn more about participating in a College Goal SC event, call 803-734-4397, or e-mail ghampton@che.sc.gov.