Smooth Transitions Financial Aid for Transfer Students March 26, 2009 Suzanne Scheldt, North Seattle CC Kay Lewis, University of Washington

Applying for Aid Priority Application Date for financial aid for the ENTIRE academic year is February 28 at UW. FAFSA must be at the federal processor with UW listed by that date. Priority applications get first shot at all the aid programs at the UW. Late applicants usually receive Pell Grant, Stafford Loan and sometimes State Need Grant

Applying for Aid Students should apply by the priority deadline even if they are unsure of which quarter they will transfer. We’ll save aid for them all year if they meet the deadline. Situations beyond the student’s control, can be appealed if the deadline is missed. WFAA deadline dates for all of the state are available.

Documents Required The good news: both CC’s and the UW use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Both the CC’s and the UW will ask for many of the same documents, but not always UW is a quality assurance school and may/may not ask for tax returns or other forms.

Electronic Processes Each school will communicate documents needed and/or aid awarded. Most schools expect use of the school’s email account for notification of documents required or changes in award UW students check on-line at MyUW to see their award, check the status of their aid, view their bill and disbursement.

Differences in Available Aid Pell Grant is the same between CC’s and UW. State Need Grant eligibility criteria is the same, but award amounts are greater at the UW (tuition is greater!). UW has institutional grants, waivers and some scholarship funds for low income students who apply by the priority date.

Loans at the UW When moving from CC to the UW, most likely will be offered some loans in the financial aid award. Its time for CC students to determine amount they want to invest in themselves. Good low interest government loans—some with subsidized interest—meet most students needs.

Direct Loans UW is a Direct Loan School. Students borrow from the federal government not from a bank. Start the process with a FAFSA. Scholarships the student receives can replace loans in the financial aid award. 50% of UW students graduate with some debt. Avg for undergrads is $17,808

Enrollment Issues Most of the UW priority aid is for full-time students (12 credits)—exception of loans, State Need Grant and Pell Grant. Exceptions can be made to this policy. At the CC, enrollment defined on census date. At the UW, enrollment defined at first day of the quarter or when aid disburses.

Satisfactory Academic Progress All schools have Satisfactory Academic Progress policies that apply to aid recipients Many WA schools check progress quarterly and at the end of the school year Need to complete a certain level of minimum credits and maintain a minimum gpa Students should be aware of policy and options to appeal

State Need Grant for Transfers If a CC student has received a State Need Grant during the academic year and transfers mid-year, the State Need Grant can transfer to the UW. The student needs to tell the UW financial aid counselors about their upcoming transfer and that State Need Grant has disbursed to them. We’ll take care of the paperwork to transfer the funds.

Husky Promise Low to low middle income students who qualify for the Pell and/or State Need Grant Must apply by the Feb. 28 priority deadline date. Must be a full-time student Must be a WA resident Must be an undergrad in first degree program

Husky Promise Husky Promise guarantees that at least enough grants/scholarships will be awarded to the student to cover their tuition and standard fees. Husky Promise is funded by federal, state and institutional funds. Students must apply and qualify each year, but then tuition is always covered—even if increased by 14%!

Disbursement of Funds At UW, funds are disbursed a few days before the quarter begins. Aid is sent via direct deposit after tuition and fees, housing, etc. are paid. If student request balance check, that can be printed and mailed to the student. At most CC’s checks are printed and picked up in person.

Work with CC and UW staff CC and UW financial aid staff available on walk in basis to see students—very few appointments needed. Phone and email contact is available too. For UW: email counselors at osfa@u.washington.edu, or phone 206-543-6101, or visit Schmitz 105 (9-5, Monday-Friday)

Contact Us It is very important for CC transfer students to contact us at the UW for questions or concerns We make lots of adjustments as appropriate, but need to hear about changes in income, unusual expenses, need to go part-time, etc. We don’t consider ourselves a big, impersonal place and we don’t want the students to either!

Upcoming Aid Changes More Pell! Year Round Pell! Pell might become an entitlement with regular cost of living adjustments Direct Loans at more schools—at all schools? Vet benefits—chapter 33 State aid—what was cut/not cut? More consumer information, more aid calculators

Contact Me for UW Issues Kay Lewis, Assistant Vice President and Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships 206-543-6107 sklewis@u.washington.edu