Applying for Financial Aid

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Types and sources of financial aid Required financial aid application forms How to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Answers to your individual questions What Will You Learn At This Workshop? 3

Types of Financial Aid Gift Aid - Grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid Work - Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus Loans - Borrowed money to be paid back, usually with interest 4

Sources of Financial Aid Federal government State government Colleges and universities Private agencies, companies, foundations, and parents’ employers 5

Cal Grants Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards – for high school seniors and recent high school grads with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, who demonstrate financial need Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards – for high school seniors and recent high school grads with a GPA of at least 2.0, who come from disadvantaged or low income families, whose family income and assets are below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need Cal Grant C Awards - for students from low income families pursuing vocational programs of study 6

7 To be eligible for a Cal Grant, the student must also: be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or AB540 student be a California resident attend an accredited eligible California college or university at least half-time in Eligibility for Cal Grants

Residency and Cal Grant Eligibility for parents have been legal residents of California for one year immediately prior to September 20, 2014, or student has lived in California with other legal California residents, other than parents, for two years immediately prior to September 20, 2014, or parents who are active duty military, stationed in California at the time the student enrolls in college, or parents’ military home of record is California If unmarried and under 18 years of age, the student will be considered a legal resident of California if: If married or 18 years of age or older, the student establishes his/her own residence status. The student must be a legal resident of California for one year prior to September 20, 2014 Undocumented students who qualify for AB540 in-state tuition satisfy Cal Grant residency requirements 8

Cal Grant Application Requirements 9 Check with your high school or college counselor for more details on how to file the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, required of all students By March 2, 2014, complete and submit: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR Cal Grant GPA Verification Form If eligible under AB540, students should complete the California Dream Act Application:

Possible Cal Grant and Federal Pell Grant Maximum Awards 10 If the student qualifies for Cal Grant, amounts vary depending on the school the student attends, financial need, year in college and enrollment status (full or part-time) If the student qualifies for the Federal Pell Grant, amounts vary depending on family contribution and enrollment status (full or part-time) Other eligibility requirements may apply Cal Grant* (Up to $12,192) 1FAFSA or California Dream Act Application 2Your GPA 3Apply by March 2 Federal Pell Grant (up to $5,645) 1FAFSA = Up to $17,837 maximum annually * Check for eligible schools at: +

11 Starting with the Fall of , the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) will be phased in to assist new and continuing UC and CSU undergraduate students with family incomes up to $150,000 To apply, after January 1, 2014, students should submit FAFSA For AB540 students, the California Dream Act Application Note: no GPA is required MCS awards vary based on the number of eligible students, the institution, and state funding allocated. In , maximum awards will range up to $1,706 Amounts are determined after Federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants and institutional grants are awarded. Students cannot receive both grant aid and the MCS Qualifying students will be notified by the California Student Aid Commission In , when fully funded, the maximum awards will be no more that 40 percent of UC and CSU system-wide tuition and fees Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)

California Chafee Grant The California Chafee Grant program provides up to $5,000 annually to current and former foster youth for college or vocational training at any accredited college in the U.S., based on available funding To be eligible, foster youth must have been in California foster care on their 16 th birthday and not have reached their 22 nd birthday before July 1, 2014 Foster youth are encouraged to apply during their senior year of high school To apply, the foster youth must complete: FAFSA California Chafee Grant Program Application AB540 students may also be eligible To apply for a Chafee Grant, go to: 12

Types of Applications FAFSA  Cal Grant GPA Verification Form  Other applications or forms as required by the college such as: 2013 federal tax returns (along with all schedules and W-2s) or other income documentation CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Institutional Scholarship and/or Financial Aid Application 13 Undocumented student covered under AB540 should complete the California Dream Act Application

FAFSA Information & Tips File early, but no later than March 2, 2014, to be considered for a Cal Grant Use estimated 2013 income information if taxes are not complete at time of FAFSA submission Student and at least one parent whose information is reported must complete and sign the FAFSA 14

FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) 15 Internet application used by students and parents to complete electronic FAFSA at: Sophisticated on-line edits and skip logic help avoid errors On-line help is available for each question Student and one custodial parent should get a federal PIN to sign FAFSA at:

PIN (Personal Identification Number) Needed to sign and access the FAFSA Both student and one parent need PINs to sign the FAFSA electronically May be used to: Check on FAFSA status Verify and correct FAFSA data Add additional schools to receive FAFSA data Change home and addresses PIN will be generated only if a valid address is provided Federal PIN Apply for student and parent PINs at: 16

Another Useful Form - FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Though not a required form, the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet may: Help some students prepare to complete the FOTW Be used for the January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 federal aid application cycle 17

Before starting the FAFSA on the Web (FOTW), gather: Student driver’s license Student Alien Registration Card, if applicable Student and Parent Social Security cards 2013 W-2 Forms and records of money earned and other taxable benefits 2013 federal income tax form (even if not yet completed) Records of untaxed income Current bank statements Business, farm, and other real estate records Records of stocks, bonds, and other investments Complete FOTW Worksheet (optional) Create a file for copies of all financial aid documents submitted Getting Ready 18

FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) The FAFSA on the Web may be used for the January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 federal student aid application cycle 19

Section 1 Section 1 –Student Demographics Section 2 Section 2 –School Selection Section 3 Section 3 –Dependency Status Section 4 Section 4 –Parent Demographics Section 5 Section 5 – Financial Information Section 6 Section 6 – Sign and Submit Section 7 Section 7 – Confirmation The FOTW A Seven-Section Online Form 20

Getting Started on the FOTW 21

Login 22 This is the first of two login questions that initiates the FOTW The FOTW will ask for the student’s first and last names Make sure to report the student’s name exactly as it appears on the student’s Social Security card

Create a Password 23

FAFSA Introduction Page 24

Section 1 STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

Section 1 Student Name 26 The FOTW will ask for the student’s last and first names as well as middle initial Make sure to report the student’s name exactly as it appears on the student’s Social Security card

Section 1 Student Social Security Number 27 Double check the student’s Social Security Number when entering it on the FOTW. Both student name and Social Security Number will be compared through a database match.

Section 1 – Student Date of Birth, Gender, Permanent Mailing Address 28

Section 1 Student Home State Residency 29 Home state residence if the student is dependent, the Home State is usually the one in which the custodial parent(s) lives Home state is also used to determine eligibility for state grants in the need calculation to determine the appropriate allowance for state and other taxes paid by that state’s residents

Section 1 Phone Number and Address 30 Throughout the application process, the student telephone number and address may be used by the U.S. Department of Education, the state, and the colleges and universities to: Correspond with the student Confirm FAFSA data

Section 1 Student Marital Status 31 The student should check his or her marital status as of the date the FAFSA on the Web is submitted If the student is married or remarried, he or she will be asked to provide information about his or her spouse

Section 1 Student Driver’s License 32 Students should provide their driver’s license number if they have one This information may be used to confirm student identity if needed

Section 1 - Student Citizenship Status If U.S. citizen, status will be confirmed by Social Security match If eligible noncitizen, status will be confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) match. This includes:  U.S. permanent residents with I-551  Conditional permanent residents with I-551C  The holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any of the following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parolee” (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant;” or  The holder of a valid certification or eligibility letter from the Department of Health and Human Services showing a designation of “Victim of human trafficking.”  A resident of the Republic of Palau (PW), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (MH), or the Federated States of Micronesia (FM)  Canadian-born Native American under terms of the Jay Treaty 33

Section 1 - Eligible Noncitizen If eligible noncitizen, write in the student’s eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN)  Precede an eight-digit ARN with a zero  Copy of the student’s Permanent Registration Card may be requested by the financial aid office If neither a citizen nor eligible noncitizen, the student is ineligible for federal aid. Such students should check with their college financial aid office for other aid opportunities. If the student is undocumented as defined in AB540, he/she may be eligible for state California Dream Act financial aid. Learn more at 34

Section 1 Undocumented Students 35 and is applying to any California public college or university, check to see if he/she might be eligible for in-state tuition/fee costs under AB540 If eligible for AB540, apply for California Dream Act financial aid at check with colleges and universities about CA Dream Act institutional financial aid and private scholarships and the timelines for applying apply for all other private scholarships for which the student may be eligible start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for younger students to become permanent residents For more information and a list of scholarships, go to: If the student is undocumented

Section 1 - High School Completion Status High School Completion Status When the student begins college in the school year, what will be the student’s high school completion status?  High school diploma  GED certificate  Home schooled  None of the above 36

Section 1 - Grade Level in When the student begins the school year, what will be his/her grade level?  Never attended college/1 st year  Attended college before/1 st year  2 nd year/sophomore  3 rd year/junior  4 th year/senior  5 th year/other undergraduate  1 st year graduate/professional  Continuing graduate/professional or beyond

Section 1 - Degree or Certificate Objective 38 In the school year, what degree or certificate will you, the student, be working on?  Some options are:  1 st bachelor’s degree  Associate degree (occupational or technical program)  Associate degree (general education or transfer program)  Graduate or professional degree

Section 1 Interest in Work-Study 39 Select “Yes” if the student is interested in a college- sponsored on or off-campus job Answering “Yes” does not guarantee that the student will be offered a job Answering “No” does not mean that the student will receive additional grant or scholarship

Section 1 First Bachelor’s Degree 40 Will you have your first Bachelor’s degree before July 1, 2014?  students starting college in should mark “No” to this question  only students who will be pursuing a graduate or professional degree during should mark “Yes”

Section 1 Parents’ Educational Level 41 Indicate highest level of schooling completed by the student’s biological or adoptive parents (for state award purposes only)  Use birth parents or adoptive parents - not stepparents or foster parents  This definition of parent is unique to these two questions

Section 1 - Student Aid Eligibility Drug Convictions  Students who have never attended college since high school will not be asked any of the Drug Conviction questions  Students who indicate that they have attended college before will be asked if they have ever received federal student aid  If the answer is “yes,” students will be asked if they were convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs. Most students will answer ‘No” to this question and will not be asked any additional questions  Even students who have been convicted of a drug offense while in college and receiving federal financial aid may still be eligible to receive federal financial aid 42

Section 1 - Student Aid Eligibility Drug Convictions (cont) 43

Section 1 - Selective Service Registration 44 All male students who are between the ages of 18 and 25 years must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal and/or state aid Answer “Register me” only if you are male, aged 18-25, and have not yet registered. The student may also register by going to:

Section 1 - High School Question High School Question Enter the name, city and state of the high school where the student received or will receive a high school diploma Select “Confirm” to retrieve the high school information If no matches are found, the student should select “Next” to save the search information and continue with the FOTW application 45

Section 2 SCHOOL SELECTION

47 FAFSA on the Web allows the student to list up to 10 colleges/universities that will receive his/her student and parent information The student should list first the California school he/she is most likely to attend The student may re-order his/her school choices Then list other schools to which the student is applying for admission Section 2 School Selection

48  While in the School Selection Section, the student will be asked to enter the location and name or the federal school code for each school to which he/she wants FOTW information sent  If the student does not know the federal school code, enter the state in which the college/university is located and search for the federal school code by the college/university name

Section 2 School Selection 49 List a California college or university first (for Cal Grant consideration) Then list those schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state If the student is applying to more than ten schools, wait for the processed Student Aid Report (SAR) and add additional schools via the Web or by phone using the student PIN Strategies for Listing Colleges NOTE: Each UC and CSU campus must be listed separately

Section 2 - School Selection  The student will be asked to select the housing plan that best describes the type of housing the student expects to have while attending each listed school  The choices for housing are:  On Campus  With Parent  Off Campus  The student’s choice of housing may affect the amount of financial aid for which he/she is eligible. It is usually more expensive to live on or off campus than with parents or relatives  Remember, selecting the On Campus housing option is not an application for On Campus housing. Check with the colleges/ universities for housing information when you apply for admission 50

Section 3 STUDENT DEPENDENCY STATUS

Section 3 Determination of Student Dependency Status 52

Section 3 - Determination of Student Dependency Status (cont) 53

Section 3 - Determination of Student Dependency Status (cont) 54

55 If the student checks “No” in all of the boxes about Dependency Status, the student will be asked to go to Section 4. For FAFSA filing purposes, the student is considered a dependent student and will be required to provide parental information If any one of the items in this section applies to the student, he/she should mark the appropriate box, skip Section 4, and go to Section 5. The student is considered an independent student for FAFSA filing purposes and is NOT required to provide parental information Section 3 - Determination of Student Dependency Status

Section 4 PARENT DEMOGRAPHICS

0 12,356 Section 4 Parent Demographics 57  If the answer to any question is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0:  Report whole dollar figures:  Recommendation: If your parents have not filed their 2013 federal tax return, use W-2 forms and/or other employment records - such as final 2013 pay check stubs - to estimate total income  Remember, rather than miss any filing deadline, use estimated 2013 income information (no cents)

Section 4 Parent Demographics 58 Who is considered a parent ? Biological or adoptive parent(s) Including same-sex and unmarried parents living together In case of divorce or separation, provide information about the parent and/or stepparent the student lived with more in the last 12 months Stepparent (regardless of any prenuptial agreements)

Section 4 Who is Not a Parent? 59

Section 4 Parent Marital Status 60 Report your parents’ marital status as of today Never Married Unmarried and both parents living together Married or Remarried (also report the date of marriage or remarriage) Divorced or separated (also report the date of divorce or separation) Widowed (also report the date of widowhood)

Section 4 Parent Information 61 If the student is providing Parent Information, he/she will need those parents’: Social Security Numbers Last names and first initials Dates of Birth

Section 4 - Parent Address 62  Provide a parent address that will be valid at least until the student starts college  If a parent provides an address, the FAFSA processor will let them know the student’s FAFSA has been processed

Section 4 Parent State of Legal Residence 63 California California California

Section 4 - Parent Household Size 64  Include in the parents’ household:  the student  parent(s)  parents’ other dependent children, if the parents provide more than half their support or the children could answer “no” to every question in Section 3, regardless of where they live  other people, if they now live with the parents and will continue to do so from 7/1/14 through 6/30/15, and if the parents provide more than half their support now, and will continue to provide support from 7/1/14 through 6/30/15

Section 4 - College Students in the Parent Household 65 NOTE: Some financial aid offices will require documentation that other family members are attending college Always include the student even if he/she will attend college less than half-time in Include other household members only if they will attend at least half-time in in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate Never include the parents in the number in college

Section 5 PARENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Section 5 - Parents’ 2013 Tax Return Filing Completion Status 67  Students will be asked to provide information about their parent tax filing status for 2013:  If parents have completed a 2013 federal income tax return, select “Already completed”  If parents have not as yet filed, but plan to file a 2013 federal income tax return, select “Will file”  If parents have not, nor will not, file a 2013 federal income tax return and are not required to do so, select “Not going to file” 2013

Section 5 - Parents’ 2013 Tax Return Filing Status 68  Students will be asked to provide information about their parent tax filing status for 2013 according to their tax return:  If parents have filed (or will file) a 2013 federal tax return, will they file as:  Single  Head of Household  Married-Filed Joint Return  Married-Filed Separate Return  Qualifying Widow(er)  Don’t Know

Section 5 IRS Data Retrieval 69  This question asks if parents have completed their 2013 IRS income tax return  If parent(s) answer “Already completed,” they will be given the option to transfer their 2013 income tax information directly from IRS records to the FOTW  If parents indicate that they have recently filed their 2013 taxes, they may not be able to access their IRS data if they have filed taxes electronically within the last three weeks or by mail within the last eleven weeks  Instead, they should use their actual 2013 IRS tax return to complete the FOTW so the student does not miss any important financial aid deadlines

Section 5 IRS Data Retrieval (cont) 70

Section 5 IRS Data Retrieval (cont) 71

Section 5 IRS Tax Transcript 72

Section Adjusted Gross Income 73 If the student’s parents have not yet filed their 2013 federal tax return, use estimated 2013 information for this question The “Income Estimator” on the FOTW may help calculate this amount If the student’s parents have completed their 2013 federal tax return, use actual 2013 tax return information to complete this item if they are not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval process

Section 5 Type of Tax Return Filed 74  Students will be asked to select what type of 2013 federal income tax return their parent(s) will file  IRS 1040  IRS 1040A or 1040EZ  Foreign tax return  A tax return with Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory or Freely Associated State

Section 5 - Money Earned from Work by Parent(s) in Use W-2 forms and other records to determine all income in 2013 earned from work (including business income earned from self-employment) for Parent 1 and Parent 2

Section 5 - Parent Dislocated Worker 76 The student will be asked to check if the father/stepfather and/or mother/stepmother is a dislocated worker A person may be considered a dislocated worker if he or she:  is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation  has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job  was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster  is a displaced homemaker

Section 5 - Parents’ 2012 or 2013 Household Federal Benefits 77 Indicate if the student, his/her parents, or anyone in the parents’ household received benefits in 2012 or 2013 from any of the federal programs listed Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) Free or Reduced Price (School) Lunch Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) None of the above

Section 5 – 1040A or EZ Tax Return 78 This question asks whether the student’s parents, who indicated they will file an IRS 1040, are eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ instead Students and parent should read the directions accompanying this question carefully If students or parents are uncertain as to the answer to this question, it is fine to select “Don’t know”

Section 5 - Parents’ 2013 U.S. Income Taxes 79 Enter the amount of parents’ income tax for 2013 Use U.S. income tax paid (or to be paid), not the amount withheld from parents’ paychecks

Section 5 Parent 2013 Tax Exemptions 80  Enter the parents’ tax exemptions for 2013  Be sure to include all persons being claimed on the parents’ 2013 federal tax return, regardless of whether they are included in the parents’ household size question 2013.

Section Additional Financial Information 81 The student will be asked to report if his or her parents received or paid any of the following items in Check all that apply and provide amounts.  American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning tax credits  Child support paid  Taxable earnings from Work-study, Assistantships, or Fellowships  Taxable grant and scholarship aid reported to the IRS  Combat pay or special combat pay  Cooperative education program earnings

Section Parent Untaxed Income 82  The student will be asked to report if his or her parents had any untaxed income in Check all that apply. Some examples of the most common items are:  Payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans such as 401K  IRA deductions, and payments to self-employed SEP and Keogh  Child support received  Tax exempt interest income  Housing, food and other living allowances paid to members of the military and clergy

Section 5 Parent Asset Information 83 NOTE: Some financial aid offices may request supporting documentation for the answers to these questions Parents may be asked to report their assets as of the day they complete the FOTW if amounts exceed those shown on the FOTW. If so:  Parent(s) must list the net value of their assets as of the day they complete the FOTW  If net worth is zero, enter 0 0

84 If asked, students should report the current balances of their parents’ cash, savings, and checking accounts as of the day they complete the FOTW They may also be asked to provide information about the net value of parent investments such as real estate, rental property, money market and mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities In addition, they may be asked questions about the net value of parent businesses and investment farms They should not include the home in which they live, the value of life insurance and retirement plans, or the value of a family-owned and controlled small business Section 5 Parent Assets

Section 5 STUDENT INFORMATION

86 Student questions in Section 5 are identical to the parent financial questions we covered If the student is married, also report spouse’s income and assets The questions in Section 5 also ask: Which 2013 federal tax return the student filed or will file The student’s 2013 Adjusted Gross Income, if filing a tax return, and earnings from work as well as untaxed income and assets Section 5 Student Financial Information

87 There are questions in Section 5 that the student will be asked only if he/she checked at least one “Yes” response in Section 3 – Dependency Status Section 5 – Student Information (Independent Students)

88 Student Household Size Include in student’s household: the student and the student’s spouse (if married) the student’s dependent children, if the student provides more than half their support other people, if they now live with the student and will continue to do so from 7/1/14 through 6/30/15, and if the student provides more than half their support now, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/14 through 6/30/15 Section 5 – Student Household Size (Independent Students)

89 Student Number in College Count the student even if the student will attend college less than half-time in Report others if included in the previous student household size question only if they will attend at least half-time in in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate Section 5 – Student Number in College (Independent Students)

90 A person may be considered a dislocated worker if he/she: is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster is a displaced homemaker Section 5 Student Dislocated Worker

91 Indicate if the student, his/her spouse, or anyone in the student’s household received benefits in 2012 or 2013 from any of the federal programs listed Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) Free or Reduced Price School Lunch Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) None of the above Section 5 – Student Household Federal Benefits (Independent Students)

Section 6 SIGN AND SUBMIT

Section 6 Student Signature Page 93  Sign and Submit  Recommend that students sign the FAFSA electronically using their PINs  Remember to read and mark “Agree” to the student Terms of Agreement

Section 6 Parent Signature Page 94  Sign and Submit  Recommend that one custodial parent signs the FAFSA electronically using his/her PIN  Remember to read and mark “Agree” to the Terms of Agreement  Parent(s) without Social Security Numbers  Click on “Other options to sign and submit” for Paper Signature Page

Section 7 CONFIRMATION

Section 7 Confirmation 96  Confirmation Page  Confirms date and time of submission of the FOTW to the U.S. Department of Education  Shows  Expected Family Contribution (EFC)  Estimated Federal Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Loan eligibility  List of schools to receive FAFSA data

Section 7 Confirmation 97  Confirmation Page  Also provides parent(s) with other children planning to attend college in the opportunity to transfer parental information to other children’s FOTWs.

Go to to complete and submit your application. For more information on federal student aid, visit You can also talk with your college’s financial aid office about other types of student aid that may be available 98

99 Contact the Financial Aid Office if there are circumstances which affect a family’s ability to pay for college such as: Loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets Death or serious illness Natural disasters affecting parent income or assets such as the recent California wind storms, wild fires, floods, or mudslides Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance Reduction in child support, Social Security benefits or other untaxed benefits Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents, or Any other unusual circumstances that affect a family’s ability to contribute to higher education Special Circumstances

100 Gather necessary documents ahead of time Complete a FAFSA on the Web available at: Allow ample time to complete the online FOTW application for submission by the deadline Check the FAFSA on the Web for accuracy prior to submission Save all work periodically Sign the application using student’s and one custodial parent’s PINs Print and keep a copy of the FAFSA before submitting data Print and keep a copy of the Submission Confirmation Page Application Filing Tips FAFSA on the Web

101 After the student completes the FAFSA on the Web, a SAR will be sent to the student An electronic SAR Acknowledgment will be sent if student provides an address A paper SAR will be mailed if no student address is provided An electronic copy of the data will be sent to each college or university listed by the student in Section 2 Keep a copy of the SAR with other financial aid documents Student Aid Report (SAR)

What Happens Next? 102 Students and the colleges the student listed receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from federal processor  Students who complete FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form receive California Aid Report (CAR)  Students and families review SAR and CAR for important information and accuracy of data  Colleges match admission records with FAFSA and other required financial aid forms to determine aid eligibility  Colleges provide notices of financial aid eligibility to admitted students who have completed all required financial aid forms

103 Some students may be required to verify the information reported on the FAFSA If selected for verification, the tax information of federal tax filers will be verified through The IRS Date Retrieval Process, or IRS Tax transcripts if requested by the college or university Non-tax filers selected for verification may be asked to provide Signed statements confirming that they did not file a 2013 federal tax return and were not required by IRS to do so Copies of W-2s or other income documentation from each employer, if any income was earned from work All selected aid applicants will also be asked to verify certain demographic data listed such as Household size and number in college Child Support paid and SNAP, if reported on the FAFSA Enrollment History for transfer students Identity Confirmation Federal Verification IRS Transcripts available at: a-Transcript a-Transcript

104 By opening a WebGrants Account a student can: Check Cal Grant award status 24/7 Confirm student’s high school graduation as required Make changes to Cal Grant school choices View how much a Cal Grant is worth at different California colleges and universities View Cal Grant payment history Create a WebGrants account at: Check Your Cal Grant

105 Submit all required forms, including the FAFSA, by each college’s published deadlines (but no later than March 2) By March 2, submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Keep a copy of all forms submitted Review the electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) Acknowledgement or the paper SAR sent to the student Review the California Aid Report (CAR) Watch for financial aid award notifications from colleges to which the student has been admitted Be sure to apply for financial aid this year and every year as soon as possible after January 1 to receive the best financial aid award possible ASK QUESTIONS! Summary of the Financial Aid Process

106 FAFSA on the Web – Live Help Phone FED-AID ( ) the U.S. Department of Education at: If You Need Help at Any Time