Make the date. Max the cash.

This is the simple message behind College Goal Sunday, a nationwide effort intended to get soon-to-be college students to apply for federal financial aid. College Goal Sunday happens Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at several sites across Michigan, including the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College in Livonia.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, individuals must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Doing so by March 1 maximizes a student’s potential for receiving aid. At College Goal Sunday, financial aid experts will be on hand to sit down with students and parents and to help them through the process of completing the FAFSA.

Individuals attending College Goal Sunday should bring their social security numbers, driver’s licenses or alien registration cards, family’s 2008 federal income tax returns (2007 federal tax returns if 2008 has not been filed yet), 2008 untaxed income records, 2008 W-2 forms, bank statements and investment records and information. Students under 23 years of age are encouraged to attend with their parent or legal guardian. These documents contain information that is required in the FAFSA.

Schoolcraft College’s Livonia campus is located on Haggerty Road, between Six and Seven Mile Roads. Parking in Lot N is recommended.

College Goal Sunday is free. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, visit micollegegoal.org