F INANCIAL A ID 101

All information in this presentation is general and although we would urge you to consider UCCS, the information should be applicable at any school you are considering.

-Agenda -Introduction -Questions

Financial Aid Don’t Eliminate College Because of Cost!

Gift Aid Grants and Scholarships

G RANTS  Need Based Aid  Types:  Federal: Pell, ACG, SMART, TEACH*, FSEOG  State: CSG, CRG, CGG, CLEAP  Institutional: UCCS Tuition Grant Free money that you don’t pay back!!!

S CHOLARSHIPS  Private Money Awarded for a variety of criteria-  Merit (academics, talents/abilities, etc.)  Need (diversity, financial need, chosen field, etc.)  Places to look:  High School Counselor (Booster Club, PTA, etc.)  Surrounding Community (Elks Club, local businesses, etc.)  On the Internet:  The College/University you plan on attending

Never Pay for FAFSA or Scholarship Completion

Self-Help Aid Loans and Student Employment

L OANS  Student Loans  Perkins (fixed 5%)  Subsidized Stafford (fixed 4.5%)  Unsubsidized Stafford (fixed 6.8%)  Parent PLUS Loans (fixed 8.5%) There are loan forgiveness programs available for students who graduate from such programs as nursing or education.

L OANS

S TUDENT E MPLOYMENT  Studies have shown that working at a job actually helps many students academically.  Types of jobs available:  Work -Study (on and off campus)  Non-Work-Study (on campus)  Off-campus regular employment

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FAFSA Determines eligibility for need-based aid Apply for a PIN at (needed by both student and a parent) Collect the documents needed to apply Complete the FAFSA in time for your school’s Priority Date. The newest form is available every January 1 st ! Review your SAR, and, if necessary, contact your Financial Aid office to make corrections. Make sure to complete your Financial Aid File, this may require you to turn in copies of taxes and other paperwork.

FAFSA4C ASTER Learn how to fill out FAFSA Get an early start on Financial Aid process Estimate your Financial Aid eligibility Increase your knowledge about Financial Aid So help make your future forecast a bright one by planning now for college!

E LIGIBILITY FOR N EED B ASED A ID College Cost of Attendance “Budget” - (minus) Expected Family Contribution “EFC” = NEED

N EED E XAMPLES $16,828 budget - $2,500 EFC $14,328 Need $21,206 budget - $2,500 EFC $18,706 Need $46,900 budget - $2,500 EFC $44,400 Need *** Examples are from Award Year, Resident Student with Off Campus Budget. Numbers are reflected after COF has been applied. ***

S PECIAL C IRCUMSTANCES Also known as Professional Judgments  Unemployment  Disability  Death or Illness in the family *** What qualifies as special circumstances is determined by the school that you are going to attend. All schools are different. ***

A WARD L ETTERS Award Letters will list costs in one of two ways : Direct Costs: Tuition, Books, Fees, Room & Board if living in dorms Indirect Costs: Everything in Direct Costs, plus: Travel, Miscellaneous, Room & Board if not living in dorms 1 2

WUE  Provides reduced tuition to students’ who have residency in contract states.  In all cases, WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition.  Apply for admission and WUE tuition status directly to the institution(s) of your choice. Contact your school’s Admissions & Records office to find out how to apply.  For a list of states that participate visit Western Undergraduate Exchange Program The affordable way to go out of state!

C OLLEGE O PPORTUNITY F UND  What is the voucher program?  When did the voucher program begin?  Who is eligible?  Do I need to apply for the voucher program?  What happens if I don’t apply for the voucher program?  Where should I go to register and for more information? College Opportunity Fund COF, Stipend, Voucher

C OLLEGE G OAL S UNDAY A one-day event to help students and families complete the FAFSA If you are even thinking about education beyond high school, you will most likely need financial help. Sunday, February 21 st 2010 from 2pm-4pm Pikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus 5675 S. Academy Boulevard UCCS 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway What: Why: When: Where: NEW

Good luck with your college endeavors and let us know how we can help!