Direct Costs Per Semester Resident Non-Resident Tuition for 12 credit hours* $1,284 $1,584 Books # $400 Total Cost $1,684 $1,984 * 2008-09 academic year cost is $107/credit hour # approximate

The FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Must be renewed annually Should be completed after parents and students file their taxes Determines eligibility for federal and state based grants and student loans www.fafsa.ed.gov

Do I Have To Provide Parent Information? Were your born before January 1, 1985? As of today, are you married? Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you? Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive half of their support from you? Are both of your parents deceased, or are you or were you a ward/dependent of the court? Are you currently serving on active duty? Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed services?

The EFC Expected Family Contribution An index used to determine what federal aid a student can receive 4041 – EFC = approximate Pell Grant The EFC formula includes all sources of student and parent income, number of people in household, number of people in college Data elements in the formula are weighted differently

Awarding Financial Aid Upon receipt of the FAFSA, Kirkwood may request additional information from the student It is important that all requests for information be responded to as quickly as possible Upon completion of the file the student is mailed a financial aid award notification Award is posted on EagleNet

EVERYONE QUALIFIES FOR SOMETHING! What is Financial Aid? Grants Scholarships Work-study Loans EVERYONE QUALIFIES FOR SOMETHING!

Grants Federal Pell Grant-awarded to students with an EFC below 4041. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)-awarded to students with a 0 EFC based upon the date their FAFSA was received. These funds are limited. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)-awarded to students that have completed a rigorous high school curriculum. Iowa Vocational Technical Grant-awarded to vocational students with an EFC between 601-5000.

Scholarships Kirkwood’s Foundation awards over 1 million dollars in scholarships annually Deadline for 2009-10 is March 31, 2009 First awarding period recipients are notified May 1 www.kirkwood.edu/scholarships A well written essay is key to getting a scholarship

Work-Study Awarded to students who indicate an interest on their FAFSA based upon the date their FAFSA was received. Students must demonstrate financial need. Like any other job, students must interview with their work-study supervisor. Positions are not guaranteed.

Student Loans Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan-awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The government pays the interest while in school. Interest rate in repayment is 6.0%. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan-awarded to students no need. Students are charged an interest rate of 6.8%. Federal Perkins Loan-awarded to students that are Pell Grant eligible. The government pays the interest while in school. Interest rate in repayment is 5%.

Student Loans (cont.) Federal PLUS Loan-loan made to parents of dependent students for their student’s educational expenses. The fixed interest rate is currently 7.9%. Repayment can be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half time. Private Loan-should only be used after exhausting all federal loan options. Most interest rates are variable and are much higher than federal loan interest rates. For a comparison of private loans go to: www.simpletuition.com/kirkwood

EagleNet Serves as a personalized web-portal of academic information Billing is done through EagleNet Grants are applied to student accounts ten days prior to the start of classes Students can see their charges and financial aid refund under My Bill by Term www.kirkwood.edu/eaglenet

Award Notification Letter Once we have completed your financial aid file, you are mailed an award notification letter which directs you to EagleNet to view your financial aid award letter. Keep in mind that awards are based on full-time enrollment. Grants are pro-rated and you must be registered for at least six credit hours for a student loan.

My Bill by Term

First Time Borrowers Students must complete the following three step process in EagleNet to activate their loan: 1- Stafford loan request 2- Sign promissory note 3- Entrance counseling Per federal regulations new students’ disbursements will be made 30 days into the first semester – September 17th, 2008

Private Aid Students can inquire about private scholarships with their high school guidance counselor, employer, church, and local civic organizations Students should never pay money to complete a scholarship application www.fastweb.com

FACTS Tuition Payment Plan Kirkwood offers an interest free tuition payment plan for students Students enroll in the payment plan in EagleNet by selecting “Tuition Payment eCashier” Monthly payments are deducted via EFT/debit card or may be charged to a credit card $25 enrollment fee

Keeping Your Financial Aid Federal regulations require students to maintain satisfactory academic progress to ensure that they are making progress towards their degree. Two rules to remember, completion percentage and cumulative G.P.A. More information on Kirkwood’s satisfactory academic progress policy is available at: http://www.kirkwood.edu/financialaid

Taking Care of Business Communicate with your instructors Take advantage of tutoring services Always know where you stand Three simple steps to be successful at Kirkwood Attend every class Complete every assignment Honestly study

Questions Financial Aid Office 2nd Floor Kirkwood Hall 319-398-5485 financial@kirkwood.edu www.kirkwood.edu/financialaid