Kerry Lubold Assoc Dir of Fin Aid SUNY Plattsburgh 10 STEPS to PAYING for COLLEGE

1. RESEARCH your options  What type of education do I want/need (certificate, 2 year, 4 year, master’s, doctorate)  How much does higher education cost  What academic programs are offered  What social/campus activities exist  Is the campus accessible, is it safe  Where is it located/how far from home  Will I receive a quality education  Will it help me achieve my career goals  Will it support my college transition needs

 How much does college (or other higher ed.) cost?  How much can we afford? (saved ahead or during)  Is student and/or parent borrowing an option?  What other costs do we need to prepare for?  What can we do to minimize college costs? Explore your colleges costs on their website and use their net price calculator

Indirect Costs (varies student to student) - Books/Supplies$1,100 - Transportation$ Personal/Living$1,580 $3,300 Higher cost does NOT necessarily mean more costly… Direct CostsClinton CCPlattsburghSt. RoseUtica Tuition4,0606,17028,03633,216 Fees6521, Room4,7006,8005,8006,970 Board3,7904,1725,7325,448 Estimated Total of Direct Costs $13,202$18,769$40,548$46,154

 Get your electronic ID at both the student and one parent will need PIN’s  Apply after January 1 st at find out if your colleges have a recommended application deadline  Complete your taxes as soon as possible you can estimate income on your fafsa, then make corrections later  Respond timely to all requests for info - requests are often made via or on your college’s web account - verification, data conflicts and other review processes may occur

common data needed to apply for financial aid  Social Security numbers  Eligible non-citizen status (ie. permanent resident card)  Parent and/or student income tax information  2014 Federal 1040/A/EZ, 2014 W-2 form(s)  Can use prior year taxes as estimate  Records of untaxed income  Such as child support received, interest income  Information on cash; savings, checking account balances  Investment values such as stocks, bonds, real estate  Excludes designated retirement accts, primary residence and life insurance

 Apply for the NYS TAP Grant via: Link from the FAFSA submission page Or go direct to  Visit => Grants, Scholarships, Awardswww.hesc.ny.gov Learn about other state aid programs Use the TAP Award Estimator  Visit and Student aid and college planning tools and resourceswww.StartHereGetThere.orgww.GoCollegeNY.org

How to apply for aid Dates and deadlines Scholarship opportunities College costs Web portal

 Guidance Dept  College Websites  Online Resources collegeboard.comzinch.com fastweb.comscholarships.com  Community & Gov’t Sponsors Key Club, Boy/Girl Scouts of America, Model UN, 4-H, Football Boosters, National Honor Society, Union Affiliations, Moose Lodge, Kiwanis, American Legion, Church or Synagogue, etc.  Employers (Student & Parents) tuition reimbursement, interest free loans, scholarships, etc. 5. APPLY for free aid

- - Lists the aid you may qualify for should you decide to attend that college/university - - Provides instruction for action required to accept, decline, or finalize the awards 6. REVIEW your award letters

CollegeACollegeBCollegeC COA COA $ 11,000 $30,000$60,000 - EFC 5,000 5,000 = Financial Need $ 6,000 $ 25,000 $55,000 How Financial Aid Is Determined Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Max Need- Based Aid Financial need can be met with various resources such as: - free money (grants & scholarships) - subsidized student loans (no interest while attending) - self-help (work-study)

 Communications from your colleges may occur in paper but more likely will be electronic  notifications  Online/web access via student portal  Possible parent and/or guest accounts available  MOST often the communication is sent to the student, not the parent

Payment Plans (college specific) Personal Resources (savings, investments, borrowings) Education Loans (federal or alternative) - Federal Student Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) - Federal Parent PLUS Loans - Alternative Student Loans thru private banks/lenders College Costs - Financial Aid = What You Owe 8. CONSIDER payment options

 Changes in Family Income (i.e. retirement, unemployment)  Change in Marital Status (i.e. widowed, divorced, separated)  Involuntary Dissolution of Family Unit (i.e. parental abandonment or separation from parent due to neglect, abuse)  Other Challenges - Academic - Adjustment - Social - Psychological - Environmental - Time Management 9. COMMUNICATE concerns

Kerry Lubold, SUNY Plattsburgh (518)