Presented by: Nogales High School Counselors Financial Aid

Who can & should apply? U.S. Citizens Students born outside U.S. with permanent residency. Students that haven’t passed CAHSEE* Summer grads; students that graduate fall of 2012

Students need $$ to help pay for college. 2 Sources of free $$ Federal/CA 2 STEPS – Free Application for Student Aid FAFSA & GPA Verification IT IS FREE MONEY!!!$$$$$ Why Financial Aid???

Need-based Grants are free College Grants/Scholarships Amounts vary Work Study Federal Pell Grants (Need)$4,310 maximum per year Federal SEOG (Need)$450 maximum per year Cal Grants (Need and GPA)CSU - full fees UC - full fees Independent - $9,708 CCC - BOGW

Free Application (FAFSA) Completed on line senior year & reapply yearly. = application Questions based on your personal information, i.e. name, SS#, birth date, parents income, age and savings/checking You submit FAFSA you get back a student aid report. SAR – it is also sent to the schools you list. SAR determines EFC – expected family contribution Admissions office of college downloads report

CAL GRANT Program Nogales sends Cal Grant GPA electronically, no names only SS# and GPA How it is calculated Cal Grant A – 4 year – middle income – GPA 3.0 or higher Cal Grant B – free & reduced lunch GPA 2.0 Cal Grant C – vocational certificate declared as goal on FAFSA - $$ tools, uniforms, etc.

Application Process FAFSA – free application for federal student aid SAR to you and college with EFC EFC if “0” or low = PELL Grant (free money) Adults 18 yrs or older can take Ability to Benefit Test & get this $$ High School GPA sent electronically to CA Student Aid Commission CSAC connects to FAFSA using your SS# CAL Grant is determined A – competitive B – entitlement C – vocational certificate

Financial Need Student Budget $17,229 Family Contribution -$ 5,000 Student’s need $12,229 Need = Eligibility for Financial Aid Example

Tuition & Fees Personal Expenses* Room & Board* Books & Supplies* Transportation* *estimated fees Student Budget Includes:

Required Documents Tax Forms –if parents work & file taxes. Cal Grant GPA Verification Form – electronic GPA submission

READ ALL YOUR HANDOUTS Calendar & Workshop Info Document Check list & Tip Sheet FAFSA Worksheet (short) Copy of paper FAFSA with all the questions – your counselor Don’t show up with a blank form

 Check with your teacher ahead of time  Complete the paper FAFSA and make sure you have the information on the FAFSA check list.  Bring any items you need on the check list  We will not let you stay in the computer lab to start on your FAFSA if you don’t have your information.  Make sure you have some money on your ID for printing (first 3 pages are free)  Cash for College – regional financial aid workshop  Any senior can attend to get FAFSA help  Open to students going to 4 year colleges FAFSA ON LINE HELP

Common Errors Providing inaccurate or incomplete data on FAFSA Waiting to file tax return in order to meet deadlines Waiting until March 1 st to apply Not submitting required forms by filing deadlines Not submitting all required application documents The “early bird” gets the $$ - on time!

FINANCIAL AID FRIDAYS Mrs. Sandoval is available only Fridays for seniors that are not on her caseload during lunch time for ? Your counselor is able to answer questions, too. Please print out or Student Aid Report so we can review it.

Special Circumstances Family should contact financial aid office** if there are: Losses or reductions in family income Death or illness Marriage or divorce Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance Other unusual circumstances **Financial aid office of the school you plan to attend

SENIOR STUMBLING BLOCKS Time management Deciding you can have a social life on campus without doing homework A “D” in a progress report can turn to an the end. 4 year colleges can REVOKE admissions BE NOBLE!

Check Out Scholarship Searches

THIS IS YOUR LIFE! Take advantage of our help Circle the ?? You don’t understand & get it done Do it early You can list up to 10 colleges on line You can also file a paper FAFSA – FED AID oApply Before March 2 nd oAttend workshop home oMake corrections oGet it checked

Packaging – FA Offer Cost of attendance – EFC = Financial Need. Students are awarded grants, work student, scholarships first & then student loans. Most schools can’t meet 100% of all costs.

SAMPLE Calendar January: Gather financial information; FAFSA February: FAFSA filed by student & parent. March: Cal Grant GPA Verification Due 3/2/10; make corrections on FAFSA if you used 2009 income tax returns and parents have filed 2010 April: Aid 4 year & Cal Grant notification begins – on the university web account YOU set up. May : Aid 4 year & Cal Grant notification - June: Aid 4 year, fee waivers for MTSAC July: Make sure all Corrections are done to FAFSA, community college awards August: Fall semester begins, $$ disbursed Different Colleges Have Different Deadlines

STEPS TO SUCCESS  File early. Estimated income information OK (make corrections once taxes are done on FAFSA)  Parent can meet you in the library 4 workshop  F.A. Friday, ask ? Before workshop  ?? See handouts  CASH FOR COLLEGE Saturday 2/11/12   NHS Website

MT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE  MTSAC CALENDAR  CERTIFICATES  CAMPUS VISITS  APPLY ON LINE WORKSHOPS  PLACEMENT TESTS  ORIENTATION