College Goal Sunday
Professionals will be volunteering at a variety of sites throughout Indiana to help steer college-bound students and their families through the process of applying for financial aid during College Goal Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 12. Schools hosting the event in Northwest Indiana include Ivy Tech Community College at 410 E. Columbus Drive, East Chicago, and 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso; both Purdue University Northwest campuses: 2200 169th St., Hammond, and 1401 S. US Highway 421, Westville; and Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary. The free program will provide assistance in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required for student to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA must be filed by March 10 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid. Students younger than 24 are asked to attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s) and bring completed 2015 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 Forms and other 2015 income and benefits information, as well as any income information from the past year. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at fsaid.ed.gov before coming to the event. All sites will offer online capabilities and many will have Spanish interpreters. Students who attend any of the College Goal Sunday sites and submit a completed evaluation form will be automatically entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The winners will be notified in April, and prizes will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students. More information is at CollegeGoalSunday.org.
Smoking cessation classes
Methodist Hospitals will offer Smoking Cessation classes from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 through April 3 at the Northlake Campus, 600 Grant St., Gary. The fee for the session is $60. Based on the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Program, instruction is designed to help individuals develop an approach to quitting that works for them through the use of coping skills, self-monitoring, and stress and weight management. Registration and more information is at 888-909-3627 or MethodistHospitals.org.
Date set for Savor the South Shore
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will host Savor the South Shore — Restaurant Weeks from Feb. 20 to March 5, and is seeking restaurants to participate. More than 30 restaurants took part in last year’s event, which offers diners discounted three-course menus. Savor the South Shore provides restaurants the opportunity to attract new customers and highlight specialty menu items and pairings. Restaurants interested in participating can submit their menu information at www.alongthesouthshore.com/savor. The form includes menu price points and specifics, hours, and whether a special lunch menu will be offered. Participation is free and open to all restaurants in northwest Indiana offering lunch and/or dinner. Restaurants also will have their menus featured on the Savor the South Shore webpage, and will be promoted on the Facebook page and VIP Text List. Restaurant Week sponsorship also is available. More information is with Heather Becerra at 219-989-7770.
— Staff report
