Robert Vela High School T HE L EGACY OF E XCELLENCE C ONTINUES. Provided by: Robert Vela High School Financial Aid Office

Applying for Financial Aid – Getting Started! January 30, 2014 Presented by: The University of Texas Pan American South Texas College

Free online government application can be used for universities and colleges nation wide. Used to apply for Grants, Work Study and Loans Funds are awarded to HS graduates upon registration of courses Seniors 2013 will complete FAFSA on Monday, February 18 th, FAFSA Night at the RVHS Library & Computer Labs

 Log onto  Your Pin # will serve as your SIGNATURE on the FAFSA Application.  PARENTS & STUDENTS WILL BOTH NEED A SIGNATURE PIN # TO SIGN THE FAFSA

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA  By appointment (please call K. De La Garza at Ext or 6481).  FAFSA Night 2013 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014) Income Tax forms and W-2s are required, unless you do NOT file income taxes. Step 2: Student Aid Report Step 3: Verification Form or Award Letter

 You want to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting  You must complete a new application for each academic year.  1 Academic Year = Fall, Spring & Summer I or Summer II semesters. To complete this, you will need your income tax returns for 2013.

 2013 Federal Income Tax Forms  IRS Data Retrieval System tool in the FAFSA  If not using IRS DRS, you will need to request IRS Tax Return Transcript at  2013 W-2 Forms  Child Support paid or received  Social Security/Alien Registration Numbers  Dates of Birth for parents  Marital Status Dates (Divorced, Widowed, etc.)  Balance of cash, checking, and savings accounts  Other financial documents

INDEPENDENT status only and if:  You are 24 years of age, or  You are working on a master’s or doctorate program  You’re are married, or  You have children whom you provide more than 50% support for, or  You have dependents other than your children or spouse, or  Both parents are deceased or you are a ward/dependent of the court, or  You are currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training in the U.S. Armed Forces, or  You are a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

IF your filing status is... AND at the end of 2012 you were... * THEN file a return if your gross income was at least... ** SINGLE under 65 $9, or older$11,200 HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD under 65$12, or older$13,950 MARRIED, FILING JOINTLY under 65 (both spouses) $19, or older (one spouse) $20, or older (both spouses) $21,800 MARRIED, FILING SEPERATELYany age $3,800 WIDOW(ER) WITH DEPENDENTunder 65$15, or older$16,850 Gross income means all income you received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax, including any income from sources outside the United States or from the sale of your main home (even if you can exclude part or all of it). Do not include any social security benefits unless (a) you are married filing a separate return and you lived with your spouse at any time during 2012 or (b) one-half of your social security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly). If (a) or (b) applies, see the Form 1040 instructions to figure the taxable part of social security benefits you must include in gross income. Gross income includes gains, but not losses, reported on Form 8949 or Schedule D. Gross income from a business means, for example, the amount on Schedule C, line 7, or Schedule F, line 9. But in figuring gross income, do not reduce your income by any losses, including any loss on Schedule C, line 7, or Schedule F, line 9. *** If you did not live with your spouse at the end of 2012 (or on the date your spouse died) and your gross income was at least $3,800, you must file a return regardless of your age.

 FAFSA for students beginning college Summer 2014 ◦ Available now! ◦ What do you need?  Your and your parent’s 2012 W-2 forms  Your and your parent’s 2012 income tax returns ◦ Deadline: As soon as possible  FAFSA for students beginning college Fall 2014 ◦ Available January 1, 2014 ◦ What do you need?  Your and your parent’s 2013 W-2 forms  Your and your parent’s 2013 income tax returns ◦ Priority Deadline - February 28, 2014

Order your Tax Return Transcript online at Or print form 4506-T under “Forms and Pubs” Available two weeks after your income tax forms have been submitted to IRS

This is located on the FAFSA Application!!!!!! You can LINK to the IRS to have them directly transfer your information 2-3 weeks after you filed your income taxes by going back to your FAFSA to make corrections and click on “link to IRS” electronically. You must have EXACT matching information.

Step 2: Student Aid Report  This is a Summary of information submitted on FAFSA.  SAVE THIS !  Review this to make sure that all information is correct! If not, go back to FAFSA & make your corrections at  You will receive this in your 3-4 days after submitting FAFSA.  All information should be submitted electronically. (Avoid Mail to expedite the process, unless a non-resident of the U.S.)

 Universities may require a verification form. Requirements differ between universities. (bring letter to the Financial Aid Office).  Award letter sent to student ONLY if you have been accepted by that university!

Cost of Education – Estimated Contribution = Financial Aid Needed $16,000 - $6,500 = $9,500 Financial Aid Award may consist of: Grants Work/Study Loans

When Applying with FAFSA: A. Grants FREE Money B. Work/Study Program Part-time job C. Loans Money you have to pay back

 Federal Grants: ◦ Pell Grant = EFC = 0 ◦ Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) ◦ Federal Work-Study ◦ Hazelwood for Veterans or dependents.  State Grants: ◦ Towards Excellence, Access and Success Grant (Texas Grant) – Must graduate Distinguished / Recommended ◦ Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) ◦ Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) ◦ Students who are non-residents are eligible for state aid **This is a legislative year, so amounts are yet undetermined.

Work-study program is a part-time job to help student make extra money  Jobs on and off-campus  Earn money and gain experience  Flexible work schedules  If your student qualifies for the Work/Study program, please encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity!  Statistics show that college students who work hours a week have better GPAs. “Be a student worker – not a working student”

Loans can be borrowed for college BUT must be paid back  Federal Direct Stafford Loan – Rates 3.4% currently ◦ Student Loans: No credit check because of new credit  Subsidized – No Interest while in school  Unsubsidized – Interest accruing while in school  Perkins Loan – Institution loans ◦ Student Loan  Direct Parent Plus Loans – Rates 7.9% currently  Need credit check on parent’s information  B-On-Time Loan program – hhloans.com – Contingent upon funding.  A STUDENT IS NEVER OBLIGATED TO TAKE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT!

 Scholarships  Top 10% Scholarship - Eligible for $2,000 if legislature votes on this because it is a legislative year  Institutional Scholarships – Will begin awarding  Valedictorian Scholarship – 100% Tuition Pd.  Private scholarships – VAMOS, STARS, Housing Scholarship  Lists are available monthly at our office & RVHS Financial Aid Website

Do NOT attend meeting or give them credit card number or money!

1. Family completes FAFSA 2. FAFSA sent to processor 3. Processor sends data to up to ten schools as reported on the FAFSA 4. Each school evaluates application and creates an award package 5. Award letter sent to student 6. Student returns award letter to school 7. School concludes award processing 8. University financial aid office pays bills and produces checks PRIORITY FAFSA FILING: FEB. 28, 2014

Tuesday, February 18, 2014  Robert Vela H.S. LIBRARY & Computer Labs  6:00-8:00pm  Bring all necessary documents. FAFSA Days 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Available in the Financial Aid Office *By appointment Thank you!

Kristy De La Garza Financial Aid Officer ext Robert Vela High School Erica Alvarez Financial Aid Asst.