FINANCIAL AID The Basics & then some…. Merion Mercy Academy October 18, 2012 Presented by Bonnie Lee Behm Director of Financial Assistance Villanova University

Before we start…. Begin with a positive attitude! Involve your child/family in the admission and financial aid application process. Discuss your ability to pay for college with your child throughout the application process Ask questions along the way – each school has their own unique approach to financial aid

Financial Aid Grants Scholarships Loans Student Employment Financial Aid = Assistance for students to fund their education in the form of: Grants Scholarships Loans Student Employment

Categories of Financial Aid Merit based Aid Need-based Aid

Merit-Based Aid Merit-Based Aid = grant assistance given to students strictly on the basis of merit Award usually remains the same over the course of the student’s academic career Merit may be defined in a variety of ways Academic record (SAT, ACT, GPA, HS RANK) Special characteristics ( ex. Leadership, Creativity) Skills or talents ( ex. Musical, Athletic) Involvement (ex. Community, Work)

Merit-Based Aid Amounts can vary significantly from school to school Rule of thumb: more competitive the institution – less merit based aid May or may not require an application, interview, submission of additional materials May require a student to apply for admission by an earlier date May be administered by an office other than the FA Office

Need-Based Aid Need-Based Aid = aid awarded to students on the basis of financial need Re-evaluated each year as financial situations may change. Need will vary based on cost of attendance of the school Determination of need could be based on the FAFSA, CSS PROFILE or both

How do you apply for need based aid? Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (FOTW) is a great tool to help you work through the process Check with your school if they need additional forms Some schools have their own forms Schools may require a copy of tax returns, and/or W-2 forms The CSS Financial Aid PROFILE may also be required at some institutions

What Is The FAFSA? Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) A standard application that collects financial & demographic data about the student & parent Used to apply for federal & state aid (may be application for college aid, depending upon the school) File one FAFSA per student (not one per college) Need to file a FAFSA every year you seek assistance

How/When to File the FAFSA? Ways To Complete the FAFSA: On-line at www.fafsa.gov Complete as soon as possible after January 1 at www.fafsa.gov Make sure you select the FAFSA for the school year you are planning to attend List all the schools your child is considering attending so the results of the FAFSA get to the school Make sure you file by your school’s deadline for aid. Check with your school if you do not know the filing deadline.

Completing the FAFSA NEW Tool to assist in the completion of the FAFSA IRS DATA Retrieval Tool Allows family to download tax information directly from the tax return onto the FAFSA Some families may not be able to use this tool – if not they may be requested to submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript

Filing The FAFSA Based on prior calendar year tax information May use estimated income and taxes Students need to be encouraged to apply even if they are not sure of their attendance at a particular school Do not wait to be accepted to college to file for financial assistance

Deadlines Check each institution for their specific deadline date State or federal deadline dates may differ so make sure you are meeting all timelines

Financial Need -Expected Family Contribution Financial Need Cost of Attendance -Expected Family Contribution Financial Need (Expected Family Contribution = EFC) _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cost of Attendance Cost of Attendance typically includes: Tuition & fees Room & board Books & supplies allowance Personal expenses allowance Transportation allowance _______________________________________________________________________________________________

What Is The Expected Family Contribution (EFC)? EFC is determined by a formula that considers a student and parents’ financial situation Amount a family can reasonably be expected to contribute to the student’s education during the school year EFC & Financial Need are guidelines used by schools to determine aid package Formula used by the FAFSA is the Federal Methodology Formula used by the PROFILE is Institutional Methodology

How Is The EFC Calculated? Primary Factors Considered: Taxable Income: AGI (wages earned + interest dividends + other taxable income) Untaxed income & benefits Number in family Number of dependent children in college Assets (Primary residence and retirement accounts are not considered on FAFSA)

How Is The EFC Calculated? For more detailed information on how the EFC is calculated visit: www.finaid.org www.collegeboard.com Select Financial aid calculators

Institutional Methodology Some schools may require the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE Primarily used by private schools Collects supplemental data (home equity, financial data of non-custodial parent, etc.) Basis for awarding institutional need-based aid only Register to complete form at www.collegeboard.com There is a fee associated with the completion of the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Some PROFILE Schools require documents such as tax returns to go to a service called IDOC

Sources of Aid Federal State School/College/University Private/Outside Organizations Civic organizations (ex.-local Rotary Club, parent’s employer, churches)

Federal Grant Aid Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant SEOG Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Federal Work and Loan Aid Federal Work Study Federal Perkins Loan Federal Nursing Student Loan Federal Direct Loan Federal Direct PLUS Loan (parent’s loan)

State Aid Awards may be merit or need based May require some type of residency requirement Deadlines for applying for state aid may vary from state to state Contact your state higher education assistance agency for specific details on their programs of aid

College/University Many schools offer their own sources of aid. Understand that funding varies from school to school therefore aid packages may vary significantly Funds may be merit or need based aid Check with each school you are interested in about their policies, application forms, process & deadlines

Outside Sources Private sources of scholarship funds include: Service/Fraternal Organizations Employers/Business Churches/Religious Groups The web is an excellent resource for parents, students and counselors to seek free scholarship assistance

Outside Sources continued What is the effect of my aid package if outside scholarships are received? A school cannot exceed demonstrated financial need, so if additional $ is received a school has a few options: School can allow all outside aid to be used and not reduce institutional aid assuming the student has remaining need School can reduce institutional loan or work study first before adjusting institutional grant School can reduce institutional aid either $ for $ for each outside dollar received or could reduce aid a percentage

Comparing Aid Offers School A School B School C COST $8500 $23000 $45000 - EFC $2000 NEED $6500 $21000 $43000 PELL Grant $2360 SEOG Grant $0 $3000 PA State Grant $1900 $4300 Perkins Loan Work Study $1500 $2500 Direct Loan - Subsidized $2240 $3500 Institutional Grant $4500 $20000 Unmet Need $840 $4340

Comparing Aid Offers School A School B School C COST $8500 $23000 $45000 - EFC $12000 NEED $0 $11000 $33000 PELL Grant SEOG Grant PA State Grant $1100 $1400 Perkins Loan $2000 Work Study $1500 $2500 Direct Loan - Subsidized $3500 Institutional Grant $21000 Unmet Need $900 $2600

Net Price Calculators (NPC) NPC is a tool each school must have to assist you in knowing what federal aid you may be entitled to. Many schools will allow you to determine school based aid on their NPC as well. NPC also allows you to calculate a family contribution Remember: It is a tool – it is not the final award letter Carefully read the things the school considers when it calculates aid on the NPC

Comparing Aid Offers What factors can cause changes to my eligibility in the future? (i.e.- how will my package change if there is a change in the number in college, what if my income increases) Is there room for movement (can I appeal) in my financial aid award?

Comparing Aid Offers Look at the Bottom line for each school carefully comparing grants, loans and work opportunities as well as merit versus need based programs Consider possible changes in your family situation over the next four years & consider how that can affect your ability to pay not only in the next four years but over the years all your children are in college

Additional things to consider If you have unusual circumstances let the school about your situation Follow up with all requests for additional information from your school or federal or state agency You need to reapply for need based aid every year If your family financial situation changes your need based aid package may also change each year Contact the Financial Aid Office with your questions or concerns regarding the financial aid process

Timeline September – start to apply for private aid January/February – file FAFSA and/or PROFILE and any other forms school requests March/April – schools will send financial aid award letter to you

Timeline continued April – review financial aid awards and determine which package is best for you and your family May 1 – Deposit deadline for admission NOTE: Students applying Early Action or Early Decision may have earlier deadlines

Questions? Thank you for your attention and GOOD LUCK