Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida College Access Network Conference September 2006 Tampa, Florida Financial Aid: What’s New & What to Do! Presented by: Cynthia Williams Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Agenda State Grants & Scholarships Federal Programs Additional Financial Aid Resources Institutional Aid Private Sources  College Goal Sunday  Financial Aid Resources

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 State Grants & Scholarships $604 million was appropriated to fund State Programs in Three largest state funded programs: Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program- $346.3M Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) - $120.5M Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) - $102.6M

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Merit based scholarships that reward high school graduates for high academic achievement Award Amount up to 75% -100% of tuition & fees Comprised of the three following awards Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) - 100% (Including Academic Top Scholars) Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) – 75%* (*100% at Public Community Colleges) Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award – 75%

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) 3.5 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses 1270 SAT or 28 ACT Community Service 100% Tuition and Fees Award Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) 3.0 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses 970 SAT or 20 ACT 75% Tuition and Fees Award (100% at Public Community Colleges) Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) 3.0 GPA in Coursework Required for HS Graduation 3.5 GPA in 3 Vocational Courses College Placement Test Scores at Non Remedial Levels 75% Tuition and Fees Award

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Need-based grant for students who demonstrate substantial financial need. Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Maximum Award Amount - $1,722 EFC and college’s cost of education determine amount of awards Institution determines application procedures, deadlines and student eligibility. Contact college financial aid counselor

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduates attending eligible 4-year, private, postsecondary institutions. Institution determines application procedures, deadlines and student eligibility Annual Award Amount - $3,000 Contact college financial aid counselor

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 New State Grants & Scholarships First Generation Matching Grant Program Creates a need-based grant program for 1 st generation in college students who attend a public state university State universities will match state funds with private funds up to $6.5 million Student eligibility is based on Parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree Need determination – Students required to file FASFA Undergraduate, resident, full-time status University can award up to the Cost of Attendance

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 New State Grants & Scholarships Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Training Grant (CMV) Highway safety in Florida is a priority $1,000,000 grant Training to receive the commercial driver’s license At Public and Private Vocational Training Centers $2,500 Forgivable Loan

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 State Grants & Scholarships Merit-based  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program  Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (federal funds) Need-based (requires FAFSA)  Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)  Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Program  Rosewood Family Scholarship Program  Mary McCloud Bethune Scholarship Program  Florida Work Experience Program  First Generation Matching Grant Program Special Interest  Children/Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)  Ethics in Business Scholarship  Florida Resident Assistance Grant (FRAG)  Access to Better Learning & Education Grant (ABLE)  Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant Program

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 How to Apply for State Aid Submit Florida Financial Aid Application online Eligibility criteria vary by program In general…… Must be US citizen or eligible non-citizen Meet residency requirement Attend a postsecondary institution in Florida Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program Not owe a repayment on a federal or state grant or be in default of a federal or state loan Make satisfactory academic progress

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Visit OSFA Website at

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Financial Aid Application One Application for All Programs

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Florida Financial Aid Application Application for available December 1st

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 April 1, 2007 José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund Scholarship for Children/Spouses of Deceased/Disabled Veterans April 15, 2007 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program High School Graduation Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Important Application Deadlines

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Federal Programs  Federal Grants  Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students only and do not have to be repaid  Federal Loans  Student loans that must be repaid and are available to both graduate and undergraduate students  Stafford Subsidized (Need-based)  Stafford Unsubsidized

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 New Federal Programs Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First and second year college students Pell grant recipients = Need-based Program Enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution Degree-seeking, Full-time U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible) “High School rigorous curriculum” Bright Futures coursework, or Two AP or IB courses with passing test grades ACG Award Amount:  1st year: $ 750  2nd year: $1,300

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 New Federal Programs SMART Grant Third and fourth year students Degree-seeking in designated program of study Computer Science, Engineering, Foreign Language, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Multidisciplinary Studies, Physical Sciences, Technology Award Amount 3 rd year - $4,000 4 th year - $4,000 Pell Grant recipients = Need-based Program Enrolled full-time at a 2- or 4-year institution U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible) Awards determined at the student’s postsecondary institution

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 How To Apply for Federal Aid  Complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)  Check Student Aid Report (SAR) for Accuracy  FAFSA  Calculates the student Expected Family Contribution (EFC)  Schools use EFC to award financial aid

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 FAFSA Website –

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Federal Student Aid Eligibility To receive federal student aid a student must be:  A US citizen or eligible non-citizen  Registered with the Selective Service  Attending a participating school  Working toward a degree or certificate  Making satisfactory academic progress  Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan  Must have financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans)  Not have any drug convictions

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Most postsecondary institutions provide  Internships  Merit scholarships  Need-based grants  Check with financial aid officers for more information. Institutional Sources of Aid

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Private Sources of Aid  Corporate Scholarships  Non-profit Scholarships  Scholarship from civic & professional organizations  Check with college Foundation office or financial aid office

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 College Goal Sunday February 25, 2007 Program to help low-income families and first-generation college students complete FAFSA.

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Financial Aid Resources    

Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006 Contact Us Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance