“2015 is the New 2016” Araceli Cruz Assistant Director of Financial Aid Lewis and Clark College

Overview of updates … Prior-Prior Year: Free Application Of Federal Student Aid Prior-Prior Year: Free Application Of Federal Student Aid DACA Student Eligibility DACA Student Eligibility Oregon State Aid Application (ORSAA) Oregon State Aid Application (ORSAA) Oregon Opportunity Grant Oregon Opportunity Grant Q & A Q & A

Early FAFSA President’s Announcement – President’s Announcement – FAFSA Start-Up on October 1 Use of Prior-Prior Income Data Beginning with the FAFSA Beginning with the FAFSA October 1, Tax Year

Budget and tuition planning timelines Budget and tuition planning timelines Recruitment and admissions offices marketing Recruitment and admissions offices marketing Earlier distribution of acceptance letters? Earlier distribution of acceptance letters? Earlier distribution of financial aid award letters? Earlier distribution of financial aid award letters? Implications for Colleges and Universities

What PPY could mean for high school counselors? Improved discussions about financing college Improved discussions about financing college Financial Aid/FAFSA information nights held earlier Financial Aid/FAFSA information nights held earlier Fall workload increases Fall workload increases

Potential impacts on student and family behavior Shifting priorities in college search Shifting priorities in college search Changed college application patterns Changed college application patterns Earlier and/or later applicants? Both? Earlier and more informed enrollment decisions Earlier and more informed enrollment decisions Mixed views on stress Mixed views on stress

What is the goal of early FAFSA?  FAFSA opens October 1st  Accurate Tax Information  Finalized Award Letters  Increased Financial Planning  Less Award Revisions  Less Verification  FAFSA opens January 1 st  Estimated Tax Information  Verification  Estimated Award Letters  Update FAFSA  Revisions to Awards  Loss or Increase of Aid Current Process Future Process

How can you help students and families? Check with each institution about specific admissions and financial aid deadlines Check with each institution about specific admissions and financial aid deadlines Encourage students to follow through the entire admissions process for each institution Encourage students to follow through the entire admissions process for each institution Contact financial aid offices with any change in financial circumstances Contact financial aid offices with any change in financial circumstances

Accessing college as an undocumented student: DACA DACA Dreamers Dreamers Undocumented Undocumented Expired VISAs Expired VISAs

Undocumented students: Eligible for aid State financial aid (Oregon Opportunity Grant) State financial aid (Oregon Opportunity Grant) College financial aid College financial aid In-state tuition benefits In-state tuition benefits Scholarships Scholarships DACA students NOT eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Oregon State Aid Application (ORSAA) Application similar to the FAFSA for DACA students to apply for Oregon Opportunity Grant Application similar to the FAFSA for DACA students to apply for Oregon Opportunity Grant ORSAA does not replace FAFSA ORSAA does not replace FAFSA Students should check with each institution about submitting a FAFSA Students should check with each institution about submitting a FAFSA

Oregon Opportunity Grant Prioritized by financial need vs. priority deadlines Prioritized by financial need vs. priority deadlines Attending a participating Oregon college or university Attending a participating Oregon college or university Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA $2,250 Awards for academic year $2,250 Awards for academic year ***Cannot use outside of Oregon***

How can you help students and families? Provide hope and encouragement Provide hope and encouragement Reach out early and set a pro-college going vision Reach out early and set a pro-college going vision Stay up to date on relevant policies and legislation Stay up to date on relevant policies and legislation Identify Role Models Identify Role Models Provide information and resources in the Parents' Native Language Provide information and resources in the Parents' Native Language

Questions?