SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS PALMYRA-MACEDON HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS: LINDSAY DANIEL (A - G) JOHN STRACHAN (H - N) JENNIFER HERMENET (O – Z)

Step #1: Complete Necessary Paperwork Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) http://fafsa.ed.gov Required for all federal aid: grants, loans, scholarships. Students and parents complete application online and electronically sign using FSA ID. Information is transmitted to school codes indicated for review of aid eligibility. Apply for TAP right from FAFSA submission page Some schools require or recommend supplemental application materials called CSS Profile

What is the CSS Profile? College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile http://css.collegeboard.org Application through College Board that allows certain colleges to get a closer view of your financial status (usually used with FAFSA). Small fee applied to completing application and submitting to colleges. Examples of NY colleges that use CSS: Cornell, Hobart , NYU, RPI, St. Lawrence.

Step #2 Gather college cost info www.collegecost.ed.gov College Scorecard Net Price Calc. College Transparency list – highlights institutions with high and low net prices (cost minus grants and scholarships)

Useful websites continued… www.finaid.org Links to fast web for scholarship searches. Allows you to ask questions to financial aid rep.

Useful websites continued… www.suny.edu/smarttrack Understanding your SUNY award letter Numerous other student aid & financial resources for students

Step #3 Dollars for Scholars Create an account on http://scholarshipamerica.org Only Palmyra-Macedon High School students are eligible Most students receive 1-2 awards National scholarships are also available on the Scholarship America site

Step #4 Use Scholarship Search Sites http://fastweb.com Fill out a questionnaire as accurately as possible that will like you to scholarships National scholarship service

Step #5: Local Options Go to http://racf.org Rochester Area Community Foundation Open to students in Wayne, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Yates, Livingston, and Genesee counties. Scholarships and grants searchable by geographic region or keyword

Step #6: High School Database Please contact the High School Counseling Office for a copy. Deepmala.Bremer@palmaccsd.org (315)-597-3421

Step #7: Student newsletter Counselors send out a newsletter to students every week or two with info on college visits, scholarships, job offers, summer programs, and other relevant info. We also share scholarships with students on an individual basis when WE KNOW students fit the criteria. We encourage students to see us OFTEN with any changes to their college, major, and/or career plans!!!!

Step #8: New York State Resources TEACH Grant For up to $4000 per year Teaching requirement in a high-need field serving low-income student High-need fields: Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Language Talk to prospective colleges to see if they participate STEM scholarship Covers the cost of SUNY tuition for 4 years Must be within top 10 percent of graduating class Plan to enroll in an approved STEM major Agree to reside and work in New York for 5 years in a STEM field Apply via HESC website

Step #9: New York State Resources Excelsior Scholarship For up to $5500 per year toward the cost of SUNY/CUNY tuition “Last dollar award” once TAP and/or Pell are applied Must be a NYS resident for at least 12 months prior to enrollment Must meet household income requirements ($100,000 for fall 2017) Must complete 30 credit hours per year (at least 12 credits per semester) Can use summer/break classes Credits entering via AP or dual enrollment count! Must agree to live in (and work, if applicable) NYS for number of years award was received Cannot be awarded again if conditions are broken Converts to a zero interest loan if conditions are not met Apply via the HESC website (time TBD but estimated to be spring 2018) Enhanced Tuition Award Up to $6000 per year for students interested in attending a PARTICIPATING private NYS college Local ETA schools: Keuka, Alfred, Niagara Same requirements as Excelsior

Step #9: Potential colleges Go to the “Financial Aid” section of your potential college(s) Some college-based scholarships have separate applications and/or requirements Financial aid sites may contain links to additional national/local resources

Step #10: Search!!! Check the following: State and federal agencies Local libraries Religious organizations Clubs, extracurricular activities, athletics Professional organizations Employers (both student and parent) Labor unions Non-profit organizations

Attend a SUNY Financial Aid Day event Held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 Located at several SUNY campuses through NY state (eg. MCC, GCC, OCC, Brockport) Register online at www.suny.edu/attend/events/ Meet with SUNY financial aid reps and receive help completing the FAFSA & TAP applications

Questions?