CASFAA CONFERENCE 2008 Financial Aid Basics The Big Picture

Presented By Michael Dear Assistant Director of Financial Aid California State University, Sacramento CASFAA Conference 2008 – The Adventure Continues Michael Dear Assistant Director of Financial Aid California State University, Sacramento CASFAA Conference 2008 – The Adventure Continues

Agenda 1. Big Picture – 5 Major Steps 2. Types and Categories 3. Need Calculation 4. Agencies

5 Major Steps 1. Complete FAFSA Application 2. Documents /File Review 3. Packaging /Award Notice 4. Tying Up Loose Ends 5. Payment

1. Student completes the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAFSA Priority filing date = March 2 nd each year. (Varies by state) Complete Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (1 time – auto renew w/ FAFSA thereafter) Cal Grant application DEADLINE is MARCH 2 nd !

Document Examples: I. FA Office collects necessary documents. II. FA staff correct FAFSA ISIR as necessary III. Corrections sent to FAFSA Central Processor (CPS) IV. Final review of FAFSA performed V. Ready for Award Packaging Verification Worksheets Tax Documents Proof of Citizenship Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) docs 2. Documents & File Review

3. Award Packaging Based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA) Student receives Award Notice and Responds Possible Awards may include Grants, Loans, FWS, Scholarships, VA Benefits, Voc Rehab

4. Tying Up Loose Ends Address / Clear Holds (MySacState)? Complete Entrance Loan Counseling (ELC)? Complete Promissory Note (MPN)? Meet with Financial Aid counselor for Special Circumstances? Update Units (Awarded based on 12 units, is student attending less than full time?)? Personal Information Correct (Address)?

5. Payment!

How does disbursement of aid occur at your school? What is the timing for disbursements at your school? EFT’s from lenders are received Friday PM. Grant/Loan/Scholarship funds are released electronically to Cashier each Tuesday night. Checks are printed & Direct Deposits are processed on Wed./Thurs. Checks are mailed out on Friday or Monday Holds are placed and removed each night

Four Types: Two Categories: Grants Loans Scholarships Federal Work Study (FWS) Need Based Non-Need Based * Determining “Need” will be covered later in the presentation. Financial Aid Types and Categories

Grants State  Cal Grants  U.C. Grants (UC)  State Univ. Grant (CSU)  B.O.G. Fee Waiver (CCC) Federal  Pell Grant  FSEOG  ACG/SMART Grants Private/Others? Free money, no repayment Typically Need Based

Need Based Loans: Non-Need Based Loans: Federal Subsidized (FFELP/Direct)  No interest during school and grace period  6 month grace period after graduation or withdrawal Perkins Nursing Federal Unsubsidized (FFELP/Direct)  Interest accrues during school and grace period  6 month grace period after graduation or withdrawal Federal Parent PLUS (FFELP/Direct)  Parent is borrower on student’s behalf  Payments begin 60 days after the 2 nd disbursement Private Alternative  Higher interest rates  Immediate repayment Loans

Scholarships Good Grades Athletic Ability College Major Special Talents Heritage Tribal Community Service Americorps Typically Free Money (no repayment) Need based and non need based

FWS – Part time job program Student earns hourly wage Taxable income if applicable Typically higher wages – gov’t and employer each pay a percentage of $$$ NOT COUNTED in EFC calculation for following FAFSA application cycle! Federal Work Study

Cost Of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Cont. (EFC) Estimated cost to attend for the academic year Consists of:  Fees/Tuition  Books  Room & Board  Transportation  Miscellaneous  Possibly Childcare/Other Federal Formula, based on FAFSA information Includes income and demographic information Ranges from 0 to 99,998 Need Calculation

Need Calculation Cont’d Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Cont. (EFC) = Financial Need (for Fin Aid Purposes) *A student can receive any combination of aid (need based or non-need based) up to their cost of attendance.

Undergraduate One Semester Full Time Budget Category Res FT W/Parent Res FT On CampusRes FT Off CampusNonRes FT W/ParentNonRes FT On CampNonRes FT Off Campus Books Fees1, Housing1, , , , , , Personal1, , , , , , Transportation Non Res0.00 4, Total6, , , , , ,563.00

Agencies Common Origination & Disbursement (COD) National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) FAFSA Central Processing System (CPS) National Assoc. of Student Fin Aid Administrators (NASFAA) California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) State Guarantee Agencies (EdFund) California Assoc. of Student Fin Aid Administrators (CASFAA)

Important Telephone Numbers & Websites CSUS Fin Aid Office(916) Dept of Homeland Security (a.k.a. INS)(916) J St., Sac, CA FAX: (916) (800) Code: California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)(888) CAGRANT Scholarships (CSUS)(916) www.csac.ca.gov(888) FAX (916) FAFSA(800) 4FEDAIDNational Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) www.nslds.ed.gov PIN (Personal Identification Number)Selective Service(847) CasperWebHelp Line (916) Income Tax Return or Transcripts(800) SacNote(916) Social Security Office(916) Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA(800) VA Office(916) http:// K Street, Sacramento, CA Perkins Loan Borrowers: SFSC/LSN 1003(916) Muskogee Regional Office(888) www.mapping-your-future.orgEntrance Loan Counseling Oakland Office(800) www.csus.edu/sfsc/Perkins.pdfMaster Promissory Note Confidential Info Form EdFund - CA State Guarantor CSUS Preferred Lender List

Questions?