important things hazleton area high school college preparatory seniors need to know about financial...
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IMPORTANT THINGS HAZLETON AREA HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE PREPARATORY SENIORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCIAL AID
HAHS Guidance
GET YOUR PARENTS IN THE LOOP.
It is important to discuss your college goals and costs with your folks. They play an integral role in determining whether or not you have enough money to cover your educational costs.
Share your plans, THE PHEAA GUIDE, scholarships, and other important information.
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Scholarships (merit-based money) and Grants (gift money) Come from a variety of sources, including
federal and state governments, colleges, organizations, foundations, etc.
This money does not have paid back. Loans
Need to be repaid, some after college graduation
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Work Study Federal and state program money can be
used for a variety of college expenses School-sponsored job program; work on- or
off-campus Apply for via the FAFSA
Summer jobs Savings
FAFSA DETAILS
Complete this application online at
www.fafsa.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov DO NOT GO TO www.fafsa.com !!! www.fafsa.com is a fee-based site, and
the FAFSA is FREE!
FAFSA DETAILS
The application is completed with income from 2013 tax information
It checks for eligibility for federal and Pennsylvania State Aid.
List most expensive Pennsylvania school FIRST.
You will receive notices from the government and financial aid packages from the schools you listed on the FAFSA. Follow instructions.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool*
BE MINDFUL OF DEADLINES! The deadline for submitting the FAFSA on the
WEB for Pennsylvania residents is May 1, 2014. Some program deadlines are August 1, 2014.
The school you plan to attend might have an earlier deadline.
PSU Priority Deadline is March 1, 2014 Bloomsburg, etc. Deadline is March 15,
2014 LCCC’s Scholarship Deadline is April 15, 2014
A TALE OF TWO APPLICATIONS… In addition to completing the FAFSA,
Pennsylvania residents must also complete the requirements for the Pennsylvania State Grant.
Either Watch for the LINK at the end of the
FAFSA application process -- or – Go to www.pheaa.org to complete the
application. Remember to mail the signature page to
the PHEAA Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
Some schools require other financial aid applications.
They might have their own forms, etc. Some schools require the CSS Profile,
available from the College Board website.
FAFSA4CASTER DETAILS
Another useful website to predict your family contribution
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
SPECIAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
Be aware of special federal and Pennsylvania financial aid programs. Loan forgiveness for particular majors
(certain education majors, nursing, armed forces, etc.)
Awards for certain science and technology majors
Grants for foster children, 9/11 children, etc.
Read the PHEAA GUIDE and share it with your parents!
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT AT HAHS Date: January 28, 2014 Time: 6:30 P.M. Location: HAHS Library Bring your FAFSA PIN with you! Get your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.
The date for 2015 will be determined soon. Listen to announcements for further information.
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT
A local university financial aid officer will present “How to apply for financial aid with the FAFSA.”
It’s free In-depth review of financial aid types
and sources Includes FAFSA tutorial
FAFSA COMPLETION HELP
Although the annual “FINANCIAL AID NIGHT” has passed, there are several options available to help you complete the FAFSA. College Financial Aid Office PHEAA Regional Representative Local FAFSA Completion Sessions SPARC Representative Your tax preparer or accountant Your high school guidance counselor
SCHOLARSHIPS
Visit the STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER in the guidance office.
Available LOCAL scholarship details and application materials are updated WEEKLY.
LOCAL versus NATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIPS
This is money that can be used for educational purposes Tuition Room and Board Transportation Books Entertainment Etc.
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
There are several NATIONAL websites available where you can apply for additional scholarship money. www.questbridge.org www.fastweb.com www.meritaid.com www.gocollege.com www.scholarships.com
KEEP YOUR PARENTS PROUD! College acceptances are published in the
Standard-Speaker weekly column each Tuesday.
To get your name on the list, see your counselor.
SENIOR CLASS SURVEY
In the latter part of May 2014 counselors will meet with seniors to finalize their post-high school plans.
The “SENIOR CLASS SURVEY” accomplishes several things – Informs the guidance staff where to send final
transcripts Reports demographic information to the state Assists the school in compiling the most recent
profile data Tallies the total scholarship money awarded to the
Class of 2014