community financial aid night january 28, 2015 sharon e. platt, director of financial aid
TRANSCRIPT
Community Financial Aid Night
January 28, 2015
Sharon E. Platt, Director of Financial Aid
Topics We Will Discuss Tonight What is Financial Aid? Types Of Financial Aid How To Apply For Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Financial Need What Happens Next? FAFSA On-The-Web Demo
What is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid is funds provided to students and their families to help pay for postsecondary educational expenses in the form of:
GrantsScholarshipsLoansEmployment
Gift Aid vs. Self-Help Aid
Grants/Scholarships - Gift money that does not have to be paid back
Loans - Borrowed money that has to be paid back over a period of time, often after the student completes their degree
Work-study - money students earn by working at a part-time job
GIFT AID SELF-HELP AID
Categories of Financial Aid
Aid given to students strictly on the basis of merit.
May be based on: Academic record Special characteristics Skills or talents Involvement
Does not have to be repaid Usually renewable from
year to year
Aid awarded to students on the basis of financial need.
Re-evaluated each year as financial situations may change.
Merit-Based Aid Need-Based Aid
Sources of Aid
Federal government
State
The College/University
Outside Organizations/Employers
Federal Aid
Largest source of financial aidAid awarded primarily on the basis of
financial needMust apply each year using the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Common Federal Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant Federal
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Work-Study
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Federal PLUS Loans
State Aid
Residency requirements Use information from the FAFSA Deadlines vary by state PHEAA Deadline is May 1
College/University Aid
Factors that may influence institutional aid: Academics Athletic Ability* SAT’s/ACT’s AP Courses Legacy (child of alumni) Activities Talent Gender/Ethnicity Class Rank Financial Need*Athletic awards offered by NCAA Division I and Division II schools only.
Outside Organizations
Foundations, businesses, charitable organizations
Deadlines and application procedures vary Begin researching private aid sources early To what organizations and churches does
student and family belong? Application process usually spring of senior
year Small scholarships add up! Check company where parent is employed
HOW TO APPLY FOR APPLYING FOR AID
What Is The FAFSA?
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Application for federal and state aid (may be application for college aid as well, depending upon the school)
File one FAFSA per year, per student (not one per college)
List up to ten colleges - Title IV Code or school name; schools receive information electronically
How/When to File the FAFSA?FAFSA’s are completed online:
www.fafsa.gov Register for a PIN #: www.pin.ed.govComplete as soon as possible after
January 1 and before the school’s deadline
PA residents must file by May 1 for state grant consideration for following fall term
May use estimated income and taxes or prior year tax forms
Don’t wait to be accepted to college to complete
Cost of Attendance
Tuition Fees Room Board
Books and Supplies
Transportation Personal Living Expenses Child care and
special equipment purchases may be considered
Direct Costs Indirect Costs
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Number used to determine student’s eligibility for financial aid
EFC is the amount the family can expect to pay toward college expenses each year
It is rarely the amount the family actually pays Number is a result of federal formula based upon
information supplied on FAFSA Income (taxable & nontaxable) Taxes paid Assets Household size Number in college
What is financial need?
Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution __________________________________
= Financial Need
School 1 School 2 School 3$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
COSTNEEDEFC
Examples of Financial Need
Net Price Calculator
Every school is required to have one on their website
CAUTION: Some are better than others
Get estimated EFC at: www.fafsa.gov and use FAFSA4caster
FAFSA on the Web’s Homepage
What happens after FAFSA is filed?
Verification
35% of all students are randomly selected for verification
The school will notify you to submit additional documentation
School may give you an ESTIMATED award letter
YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION BEFORE FINAL AWARDS ARE GIVEN
What Happens Next?
Aid eligibility is determined by school
Receive financial aid award letter from
each college/university
Deposit at college of choice (non-
refundable usually)
Comparing Aid Offers
• Don’t assume that more expensive schools will
necessarily cost you more!
• Look at same “bottom line” for each school.
Compare “apples” to “apples.”• What is amount of loan in package vs. amount of grant?
• What is amount of work study?
• Are grants/scholarships automatically renewable?
• Is there room for movement?• Check with the Financial Aid Office—there might be but it’s not “Let’s Make
A Deal!”
Need More Financial Assistance?
Payment Plan
Parent PLUS Loan
Alternative Loans
FAFSA On-the Web Demo
What You Need Before Filing FAFSA
Student’s and parents’ social security number or alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a U.S. Citizen)
Student & Parent 2014 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
Student & Parent 2014 Federal Income Tax Return (1040, 1040A or 1040EZ)
Student & Parent 2014 untaxed income records (veterans benefits, child support received, workers compensation)
Student & Parent current bank statements Student & Parent current business and investment mortgage
information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
Student drivers license Depending on parent’s marital status, date of parent’s
marriage/separation/remarriage
Special Circumstances
Experience significant decrease in current calendar year income 2015-16 FAFSA based on 2014 income
Cannot report on FAFSA Change in employment status Medical expenses not covered by insurance Change in parent marital status Unusual dependent care expenses
Contact Financial Aid Office at each college
Don’t Forget!
Research Outside Scholarships (www.fastweb.com)
Complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible after January
1 of senior year
Keep copies and sign every financial aid form that you
complete!
Check with each college/university to see what additional
forms they require
Don’t be afraid to call the financial aid office at the schools
you are interested in and ask questions if you don’t
understand
Remember deadlines – APPLY EARLY!
Any Questions?
Thank you for coming!