Presented by:

 Money that the federal or state government gives or loans students.  FAFSA=Free Application for Federal Student Aid  FAFSA Website:

 U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident  Have a Social Security Number  High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.  Demonstrate financial need  Register with Selective Service (males only).  Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program.  Good academic progress.

 Cal-Grants  Pell Grants  University Grants  Loans  Work Study

 Grants=Free Money ◦ Cal Grant A ◦ Cal Grant B ◦ Cal Gran C  Loans=Borrowed Money ◦ Subsidized Loan ◦ Unsubsidized Loans  Work Study =Work for your money  Scholarships=Free Money

Program Who can applyAnnual awards up to.. Application deadline Forms requiredEligibility requirements Cal Grant Aundergraduates CSU: $5,472 UC: $12,192 March 2 Verified GPA 3.0 High school GPA Cal Grant Bundergraduates $1,473 (first yr) Fees/Tuition plus 1,473 in 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th year March 2 Verified GPA 2.0 high school GPA, financial need Cal Grant CTechnical and career students March 2 Verified GPA Financial need Federal Pell Grant undergraduates $5,550March 2 Fafsa.ed.gov Financial need (EFC and COA) FSEOGundergraduates $4,000March 2 Fafsa.ed.gov Financial need (EFC and COA)not all colleges offer it University of California Student Aid UC undergraduates/Gra duate $14,000March 2 Fafsa.ed.gov Financial need State University Grant Undergraduates/gra duates Full system- wide fees March 2 Fafsa.ed.gov Financial need

 On July 1, 2013 Governor Jerry Brown signed a historic legislation aimed at making higher education more affordable. Starting in the academic year, the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) program would apply to undergraduate students with family incomes up to $150,000 and who attend a University of California or California State University campus.

 Who qualifies for the Middle Class Scholarship? New, transfer and returning undergraduate students to California State University or University of California with a family income of up to $150,000 may be eligible for the Middle Class Scholarship.  What are the requirements to receive a MCS? You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have AB 540 status; not be incarcerated; not be in default on a student loan; be a California resident; maintain a 2.0 GPA; meet certain income and other financial aid standards; and attend a California State University or University of California campus

 Eligible students can earn part of their financial aid through working on or off campus.  hrs per week  Obtain experience working in a career-related or community service employment.

 Must have financial need.  4.66% fixed interest rate (for ) for undergraduate students.  The federal government pays the interest while student is in school: ◦ Must be enrolled half time or more ◦ Grace period of 6 six months after graduation, withdrawal, or enrolled in less than half time.

 For eligible students, regardless of their financial resources.  The student is responsible for paying the 4.66% (fixed) interest that accrues at the time loan is processed.  It’s to student’s advantage to pay the interest while attending school in order to avoid loan debt increase.

 Loan borrowed by parents to help pay for students college costs.  Interest rate is fixed at 7.21% depending on the loan program and college/university student attends.  Amount borrowed depends on credit eligibility and college costs.  Can borrow the total amount of undergrad study minus any aid received.

 Loan to be considered if grants and Federal student loans do not cover all college costs.  Loan amount and interest rate are based on credit eligibility of student and/or parents.  Interest rate is higher than federal student loans.

 Student Demographics: Name MUST match the Social Security Card.  School Selection: Students who applied to CSU’s, UC’s and Private schools should include top school for each system.  Emancipated Minors: select yes ONLY if the student can provide a copy of a court’s decision that as of today, he/she is an emancipated minor

 Foster Care : Select yes if at any time since the student turned 13, he/she was in foster care even if the student is no longer in foster care today due to: 1. Adoption (even for a day) 2. Reunification 3. Reached the age of majority (18yrs)  Note: Documentation may be required

Select yes if any time after July 1,2014, the student meets all three criteria  “Homeless” or “at risk of being homeless”  Lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing. Includes living in shelters, motels, cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go.  “Unaccompanied” Not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.  “Youth” Under 21 years of age

The Financial Aid Office has authority to make a dependent student independent if unusual circumstances exist:  An abusive family environment  Abandonment by parents  Inability to locate parents

The following do not qualify as “Unusual Circumstances:”  Parents refuse contribution to education  Parents unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification  Parents not claiming the student as a dependent for income tax purpose  Student demonstrating total self-sufficiency

 If your student and family have unusual circumstances, please contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.  The financial aid office will advise you on how to proceed.

 On June 26,2013 the Supreme Court struck down the section of DOMA that provided that for purposes of federal programs, a marriage can only be between one man and one woman.

 FAFSA & CA Dream Act applications: Language will be gender neutral- Parent 1, Parent 2 as designated by filers, not processors  FAFSA & CA Dream Act applications now will collect the information of unmarried parents living together and parents or parent/step-parent in legally recognized same-sex marriage.

Relationship of student to parent Includes both parents’ incomes on the app? Only Includes one parents’ income on their app?? Parents married living together YesNo Parents not married, living together YesNo Parent is widowed, not married NoYes Parents are divorced or separated, not living together NoYes ( Include the parent the student lived with most during the last 12 months. If equal time, include the income for the parent who provided most of the students’ financial support during the last 12 months) Parent and step-parent living together YesNo The FAFSA& Dream Act applications now use relationship of parent to student, VS. Legal relationship between parents for basis of collecting info.

Foster Parents *No Grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, or aunts * No “ Parent” means biological/adoptive parent- gender of biological or adoptive parents is not relevant * Students living with legal guardians, foster parents, or relatives are usually considered to be independent students

 1. Never Married  2. Married or Remarried  3. Unmarried and both parents living together  4. Divorced or Separated  5. Widowed

 Pin and Signature  Terms of Agreement ◦ Provide documents to verify accuracy of information ◦ IRS verification IMPORTANT: Parents who are not legal residents must mail in the signature page when FAFSA is submitted and when corrections are made!!

30 Allows students to transfer information from the FAFSA to a state application Note: Option is only offered on the confirmation page

 SAR- Student Aid Report is electronically sent within 3-5 days.  IMPORTANT: FAFSA is not complete until you add 2014 Tax information!!!!!!!!

 Scholarships = FREE MONEY!!  Merit based scholarships (academic performance) ‏  Need based scholarships (financial need).  Scholarship funds come from: Colleges/Universities Foundations, Companies Individuals Community-Based Organizations Deadlines will vary depending on the scholarship.

 Involve a separate application process.  Scholarships are usually released in Fall.  Deadlines vary (from late fall to early spring).  Personal Statement may be required.  Letter of Recommendation (from teacher, academic counselor, mentor, supervisor, etc.) may be required.  Transcripts may be requested.  Finalists may be interviewed by panel.

 Allows specific non resident student to pay in state fees at UCs, CSUs. and CCCs  Saves students thousands of dollars in college cost each year  AB540 does not make a student: ◦ Eligible for federal financial aid or ◦ A legal California resident

 A Student who:  Attended at least three (3) years at any Public, Private, Home Schools or Combination of schools.  OR Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.  Graduated or received its equivalent; and  Files an affidavit with the college to apply for legal immigration status when possible

 Signed into law September 2011  Online application will be open January 2014 Aid under CA Dream Act: 1. UC Grants, State University Grants, BOG Fee Waiver, Chafee Grant, EOP/EOPS 2. Cal- Grants 3. Middle Class Scholarship 4. Private scholarships administered by campuses

 DACA does not prevent students from applying to CA Dream Act Financial Aid  DACA does not confer a new legal status for students  California Students who have applied for or received approval for DACA should complete CA Dream Act Application and NOT the FAFSA

 January 1 st : Begin applying for FAFSA  January 20 nd : Ann Sobrato Cash for College  January 22 nd : Christopher High School Cash for College  January 27 nd : San Benito High School Cash for College  January 29 nd : Gilroy High School Cash for College  March 2 nd : Priority filing deadline to apply for Cal Grants.  March 12 th : Common Application Scholarships Deadline!!! -Due by 4 pm in the Career Center

Receive individual assistance completing your FAFSA!  When: Tuesday, January 27th  Where: San Benito High School  Room 477 and 482 English  Room 191 and 192 Spanish  Time: 6 – 8 pm