bootstraps application and fafsa workshop january 10, 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Bootstraps Application and FAFSA Workshop
January 10, 2015
Overview• Bootstraps Application
• FAFSA
• Break into groups
Bootstraps in a Nutshell• Founded in 1945
• Scholarships and interest-free loans
• More than $3.3 million awarded to over 1,200 students
• Between 50 and 60 awards per year totaling approximately $150,000
• Awards range from $500 for one year to $25,000 for four years
• All awards funded by donations
• Criteria chosen by donors
• Most awards require financial need
• All awards require ability to succeed!
Sample Criteria• Vocational or Technical
School
• Education field
• Performing Arts
• Female Athlete
• Math
• Visual arts
• Learning Disability
• Overcoming Adversity
• Science
• ROTC recipient
• Wants to work with children
• Community Service
• Good academics
• Health care
• Environmental Studies
• Law Enforcement
The Application• Online Application
• Complete the FAFSA before you
start the application.
• Due date is February 27th.
• You may be called for an interview.
• Notification letters sent by mid-April.
• Lake House reception May 18th.
How Do We Decide?
Part A NameParent Name
Part B Information that helpsus decide what awards youmight qualify for
Financial Information
Part C Essays
}Must be completed in a single session
A Complete Application
Part A + Part B + Part C
+ 2 Teacher Recommendations
+ Transcript
+ SAR
Incomplete applications will not be considered!
Part C - Essays• Who are you?
• What are your career goals?
• If you had something to tell us about yourself that would convince us to give you a scholarship, what would it be?
• What else do we need to that could affect our decision?
Example of a Good Essay
Confirmation email
Dos and Don’ts• DO
– Read and follow the directions
– Ask if you are unsure
– Get a second opinion
– Spell check and proofread your essays
– Follow up with teachers and counselors
– Answer the question that is being asked
• DON’T– Wait until the last minute to
start
– Assume that your application is complete
– Let your parents do it for you or ask them to follow up
Application Tips
• Do the FAFSA first!!!!!
• Print and carefully READ the instructions.
• Parts A and B must be done in a single computer session or you’ll have to do Part A again.
• Write your essays in a word document then copy and paste into the application.
FAFSA Overview for 2015-16
www.FAFSA.gov
StudentAid.gov
FAFSA Tutorial at www.Edvisors.com
College Goal Sunday
• Sunday, February 8, 2015, 1-3pm
• 20 locations around the state
• Free help filling out the FAFSA– Bring your tax information, income documentation, etc.
• Information on scholarships and college planning
• Scholarship giveaways
• www.collegegoalcolorado.org
FAFSA PRIORITY DATES/DEADLINES
EACH college and university sets their own priority date/deadline for FAFSA submission.
Make sure to check the date your FAFSA must arrive at the Financial Aid Office of the college(s) you apply to, because…many types of financial aid are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.
Common Priority Deadlines in Colorado:March 1st, March 15th, and April 1st.
NOTE: BOOTSTRAPS SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 27, 2015
Documents Needed for the FAFSA
• Social Security number (Required for students; if applicable for parents)
• Alien Registration Number (eligible noncitizens)
• FAFSA PIN # for student and one parent
• 2014 Federal tax information, including W-2s & other records of money earned
• 2014 Tax Return or 2013 Tax Return to estimate
o IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ• Records of untaxed income (i.e. child support received, interest income)
• Current checking/savings account statements
• Investment records (stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds etc.)
DO NOT REPORT THESE ASSETS ON YOUR FAFSA
•The Value of Retirement accounts/life insurance policies
•Value/equity of the current home you live in
•Business if you have less than 100 employees
•The value of a family farm that you (your spouse and/or your parents) live on and operate.
Help/Resources
Spanish VersionAvailable
www.FAFSA.gov
25
Available M-F 6am-8pm
Mountain Time
800-433-3243
FAFSA HELP OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Live Chat Help
www.fafsa.gov - Start Tab for 2015-16 FAFSA
Click here to Apply for Student & Parent PIN
DO NOT use information from:
legal guardian
foster parent
grandparents, older brothers or sisters, uncles or aunts unless they have legally adopted the student
Use information for parent the student lived with most during the last 12 months
WHO IS CONSIDERED A PARENT FOR THE FAFSA FORM?
Parents are married: answer questions about both parents
Widowed or single parents: use information for that parent
Remarried Parents: must include step parent information
Adoptive Parents: follow instructions above for parents, based on adoptive parents’ current marital status
Divorced/Separated parents:
Dependent students must include
income and other information about BOTH of their legal parents (biological or adoptive) , IF:
The parents are living together, Regardless of the parents’ marital
status or gender.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Allows parents and students to transfer IRS tax return information directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site (available starting early February)
If you are eligible, we highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:
1. It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data.
2. It’s the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax information.
3. If you are ineligible or choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval, your college may require a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript.
StudentPIN Number
Parent PIN Number
Student Aid Report (SAR)-download copy here
What Happens After the FAFSA?You will be notified via email when your FAFSA is processed
Your FAFSA information will be made available to your school(s), and they will use it to determine the aid you may be eligible to receive
Your school(s) will contact you if they need more information
Your school(s) will send you a Financial Aid Award Notification by email or regular mail
If you have questions about your financial aid package, contact your school(s)
Who do I contact if I have questions/problems?
Your high school counselor/post-grad center
The Financial Aid Office at your college
The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
Monday-Friday 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. Mountain Time
Bootstraps Scholarship Application Only: call 303-670-3632 or email at [email protected]
Thank You for Joining Us! Questions?
www.bootstrapsinc.org