Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) La Serna High School

Filipina Nanthavongdouangsy, BSW FilipinaCalSOAP@gmail.com

FAFSA

What is FAFSA FREE Application For Student Aid = FAFSA Application to be considered for financial aid Must be renewed EVERY YEAR Online WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV Paper Not recommended

Who Can Apply? Current or prospective college student (undergraduate or graduate) in the United States

What is Financial Need? COST OF ATTENDANCE - EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION = FINANCIAL NEED

What is the Estimated Cost of Attendance? Includes: Fees/Tuition Books and supplies Room and board Other

Estimated Cost of Attendance

What is my Expected Family Contribution? Amount a family can reasonably be expected to contribute Considers both the student AND parent(s) income Calculate data from the FAFSA EFC STAYS THE SAME regardless of the college

What is my Expected Family Contribution? California State University (CSU) CSULB University of California (UC) UCLA California Independent College USC Cost of Attendance 23,602 34,047 75,852 EFC 500 Financial Need 23,102 33,507 75,352

What are the different types of financial aid?

Types of Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Work Study Loans

SCHOLARSHIPS START LOCAL FASTWEB.COM COLLEGEBOARD.COM

GRANTS FEDERAL PELL GRANTS CALIFORNIA STATE GRANTS YOU DON’T PAY BACK

PELL GRANT Awarded to undergraduate students Based on financial need Based on cost of attendance Status: Part-time or full-time Can receive up to $5,815

CA State Aid Programs  

*Cal B provides additional living allowance of $1,656 CAL Grant A & B CAL Grant A CAL Grant B - GPA = 3.0 - GPA = 2.0 (SEE INCOME CHART) Awarded: UC = $12,192 CSU = $5,970 *Cal B provides additional living allowance of $1,656

CAL Grant A & B Deadline No later than March 2nd GPA Verification = mandated electronic upload by high school

The California Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)

The California Middle Class Scholarship Began in 2014-2015 for undergraduate students who are: Attending CSU or UC campus From families with income up to $150K U.S. citizens, permanent residents or AB540 California residents Intended to be up to a 40% discount on state fees for middle income families.

MCS Based on income ONLY (No GPA) Apply using FAFSA or Dream App March 2nd Deadline Awarded on sliding scale based on income LIMITED pool of funds Awards not determined until July OR LATER Student will NOT see MCS on college financial aid award letters Receive communication from CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC) of eligibility.

The Scale

Work Study Additional FREE money Usually hire than minimum wage Work on campus Flexibility in hours Opportunity to meet faculty Improves student connection to school and increases retention

STUDENT LOANS Subsidized = government pays interest while you are in school Unsubsidized = interest accrues Both loans begin payback after graduation Low interest rates & very flexible payback plans.

PARENT LOANS Must pass credit check May borrow up to total cost of attendance UNSUBSIDIZED = interests accrues Payback begins immediately Low interest rates & flexible payback plans

Dependent or Independent? You must answer Yes to at least one question to be considered an Independent student.

Biological or Adoptive Parent Who is the Parent? Biological or Adoptive Parent

“But my uncle claims me as a dependent on his tax return.” Biological or Adoptive Parent

Divorce or Legal Separation?

Filing the FAFSA w/out Parent Information Student can knowingly file w/out parent information Approved Special Circumstance Parents incarcerated Abusive Situation Unable to locate parents Unapproved Special Circumstance Parent refuses to participate Approved for Student Loans ONLY Will need to follow up with college financial aid office

Questions?

La Serna High School College & Career Center Contact: Edlin Simental, B.A edlin.Simental@wuhsd.org (562) 698-8121 xt. 6066