Welcome to Financial Aid Night An overview of financial aid and the application process. Presented by the Ascension Parish Career Coaches

What is financial aid? Money to pay for college or career school Grants Loans Work-study Scholarships

Types of Financial Aid Scholarship - a sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, etc., to pursue his or her studies Grant - form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay Loan - something lent or furnished on condition of being returned, especially a sum of money lent at interest Work-study program - a program enabling high- school or college students to combine academic work with actual job experience

How do I apply for aid? Federal student aid: fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA SM ) at State aid: FAFSA is used to apply for TOPS. The office that distributes TOPS, has a TOPS application. Do not complete if you complete the FAFSA. In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS Online Application will be the first to lose their TOPS awardwww.osfa.la.gov School aid: contact financial aid offices at schools you are considering Scholarships: use high school senior newsletter or visit scholarship search websites

Application Avoid fafsa.com! Application is free! Complete the form. The would be used only if student is planning to go to summer school. Parent and student must create a PIN to sign the FAFSA. Students must use parent information to qualify for aid unless they meet certain criteria.

Information needed on FAFSA PIN Number and Signatures Student Demographic Information Independent/Dependent Student Status Parent Demographic Information Student and Parent Financial Information Student and Parent Tax Information You can estimate your taxes if you file late School Information (add a LA school first) Student Aid Report & making corrections

Grants, Loans & Work-Study Programs Federal Student Aid Grants – Pell grant maximum for is $5775. Loans –Direct Loan Program - funds are lent directly to students for undergraduate & graduate studies, through participating postsecondary schools, with funds borrowed from the U.S. Treasury. Federal Perkins Loans - made through participating schools to undergraduate, graduate & professional students; offered to students demonstrating the greatest financial need; based on a student's need & a school's available funding Work-study programs – campus job This type of aid helps pay for everything from tuition & fees to books & housing

TOPS Program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either One of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, Schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana approved Proprietary and Cosmetology Schools or, Institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. What are residency requirements? Student lived in Louisiana for past 2 years (junior & senior year). Student may qualify based on the residency of a parent or court ordered custodian (“legal guardian”) who was a legal resident of Louisiana for at least the 24 months prior to the month of your high school graduation.

Levels of TOPS Opportunity Award 2.50 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA ACT score equal to the prior year’s state average, but never less than 20 (20 for 2015 graduates) SAT score of 940 Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum TOPS general eligibility requirements The amount that TOPS pays for the opportunity award varies for each school.

Levels of TOPS Performance Award 3.00 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA ACT score of 23 SAT of 1060 Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum TOPS general eligibility requirements Award Benefits Provides the same benefits as the Opportunity Award, plus $400 annual stipend

Levels of TOPS Honors Award 3.00 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA ACT score of 27 SAT of 1210 Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum TOPS general eligibility requirements Award Benefits Provides the same benefits as the Opportunity Award, plus $800 annual stipend

Levels of TOPS TOPS TECH award 2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale A minimum score of 17 on the ACT (810 on the SAT) Completion of one of the Tech Core Option curriculums or the OPH curriculum Eligible schools: Louisiana Technical College Campuses A community college if the student is enrolled in a 2- year Tech program Approved Cosmetology and Proprietary schools

TOPS DETAILS TOPS Recipients serving in the National Guard will receive: tuition exemption equal to the TOPS award amount, any applicable TOPS stipend and $600 annually for books and supplies Students who join the military have 1 year from their date of separation to enroll in college Returning Out of State Students – cannot use TOPS out of state, can come back and use remaining semesters if continuation requirements were met Graduate Study – can use remaining semesters

QUALIFYING ACT SCORES The ACT test on April 18, 2015 is the last test to score a 20 and receive all 8 semesters of TOPS or to earn a higher score to increase TOPS award. A student who earns a 20 on the June 13, 2015 test may earn 7 semesters of TOPS. Award amounts will not be increased based on the June test scores.

TOPS AWARD INFORMATION Award Letter – receive in July TOPS recipients should familiarize themselves with the Rights and Responsibilities included with their award letter TOPS recipients are personally responsible for knowing and complying with the TOPS continuation requirements Award Acceptance Students have one year in which to enroll in a Louisiana approved post-secondary institution Must be continuously enrolled on a full-time basis during the Fall and Spring semesters or Fall, Winter, Spring quarters Award Retention 24 Hours each academic year, excluding Advanced Placement hours GPA requirement for each award level Renewal of the FAFSA is highly recommended

Retaining TOPS At the end of each Academic Year, the following cumulative GPA must be maintained: Opportunity Award:2.30 first academic year 2.50 all subsequent years Performance Award:3.00 Honors Award:3.00 Students falling below 3.00 would revert to the Opportunity Award Tech Award:2.50 Must meet steady academic progress requirements of 2.00 at the end of any semester or quarter Award is reinstated upon attainment of the required GPA

Contact Information Career Coaches St. Amant – East Ascension – Dutchtown –