High school seniors looking to attend college this year can get help this weekend completing an important part of their applications.

Ohio University Southern is hosting College Goal Sunday, a free event that offers help filling out a Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA).

“Basically we’re going to take them to our computer lab and sit them down and someone will be there to answer questions and get them through the process,” said Jacki Adkins, coordinator of financial aid and scholarships.

The FAFSA is required for applying for all federal student aid, many state aid programs and institutional aid programs.

The event is part of a statewide program sponsored by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. OUS has been a host for the program for the past few years.

“We’ve had at least 50 (participants) each year,” Adkins said. “Of course we’re hoping to get more. The more the merrier.

“Here locally we’re the only host site in Lawrence County.”

Other sites for the events include Shawnee State University and the University of Rio Grande.

OUS has advertised the event at local high schools.

“We encourage them to come every year,” she said. “They don’t have to pre-register, but we encourage them to.”

Participants should bring verification of their 2009 income taxes, Adkins said.

“Preferably tax returns,” she said. “If they have the tax return, it makes it a little bit easier, but we can use a W-2.”

The program aims to help students avoid some of the mistakes that result in delays in aid, she said.

“It’s to help them get through that process and answer questions so they know what they’re putting there is correct,” she said. “It’s an unknown application and they don’t know for sure.”