PENDLETON — With April 1 as Tri-County Technical College’s deadline for applying for the best financial aid package for the fall 2013 semester, the college is hosting College Goal SC February 23 to help students and their families fill out and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

The FAFSA is the first step to receiving Federal aid and it is a requirement for most college students who plan to pay for college.

College Goal SC is set for Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. in Pickens Hall, Room 140, on the Pendleton Campus. This free event is open to anyone who has questions or wants help in completing the FAFSA. If you would like to attend this event, please visit www.collegegoalsc.org for more information.

Financial aid professionals and representatives from Tri-County, Clemson University, Anderson University and Southern Wesleyan University will be on hand to help college-bound students and their families with the financial aid application process and admissions-related questions.

Tri-County Financial Aid Counselor Kevin Woods stressed that both students and parents should have at least the following information with them: 2012 Federal tax return, 2012 W-2 forms, 2012 untaxed income records (Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records); and Social Security number.

Participants will have a chance to enter a drawing for a FREE iPad mini at the event.