Paying for College: Financial Aid & Scholarships AHETEMS Foundation

How much will my education cost? Average Costs per Academic Year $14,000 for a Technical/Trade School $14,000 for 2-year Public $19,000 for 4-year Public In-State $31,000 for 4-year Public Out-of-State $35,000 for 4-year Private School collegeboard.com

Cost Breakdown Tuition & fees Room & board Books & supplies Personal expenses Transportation

Costs in Texas Southwest Texas Junior College 2 Yr Public In-state Tuition & fees $2,081 Room & board $3,600 Est. Personal $745 Transportation $710 Total $7,136 Univ. of Texas 4 Yr Public In-state Tuition & fees $9,418 Room & board $10,112 Est. Personal $2,472 Transportation ________$1,010 Total $23,012 Univ. of Texas 4 Yr Public Out-of-state Tuition & fees $31,218 Room & board $10,112 Est. Personal $2,472 Transportation $1,010 Total $44,812 Rice University 4 Yr Private Tuition & fees $33,771 Room & board $11,750 Est. Personal $1,550 Books & supplies $800 Total $47,871

Sources of Aid Private Agencies Government Federal & State Institutional (Varies by School)

Access to Financial Aid FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Used by federal government, state agencies, colleges, and some scholarship agencies to determine how much and what kind of aid you are eligible to receive. A snap shot of your finances – You and your parent ’ s income – Savings and Investments – Benefits – State Tax Rates

Who can apply for FAFSA? Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate Are working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident with an Alien Registration Card, or an eligible non-citizen (refugee, asylum granted) Have a valid Social Security Number Some states offer their own financial aid applications for students who do not meet these qualifications

FAFSA Process Complete online at Online FAFSA is processed in a few days versus a paper FAFSA that can take a few weeks Get a PIN number online A new FAFSA application must be submitted for each academic year One application per student, not per family Check your college’s Priority Dates to get the best aid

Student Aid Report (SAR) Report that results from your FAFSA – Sent to students by mail or – Retain for personal records The SAR will include the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – This information will be shared with your college

Additional Requirements You may be asked to provide additional documents by your college/university. Each college has its own financial aid deadline. Always contact the Financial Aid Office or your financial aid representatives at your college for assistance.

How Financial Aid is Determined COA: Total Cost of Attendance for one academic year at the student’s institution (varies by school) EFC: Expected Family Contribution – the amount is determined on your FAFSA COA – EFC = Need* * This amount will vary at each school

Types of Financial Aid Based on the Need, a student will receive a Financial Aid Package consisting of different forms of assistance Gift (Free) Aid – Grants – Scholarships Self-Help Aid – Work Study – Loans

Example: Financial Aid COA – EFC = Need $14,000 - $5,000 = $9,000 Need Sample Financial Aid Package – Institution scholarship$1,500 – State grant$3,500 – Work study$2,500 – Federal Loan$1,500 Total:$9,000 Students DO NOT have to accept the entire financial aid package. They can select the types of aid they want and seek additional funding elsewhere.

Other Sources of Aid Private Agencies Government Federal & State Institutional (Varies by School)

Scholarships Awarded based on merit, financial need, community service, academic achievements, etc. Sources – Non-Profits: AHETEMS, HCF, HSF, UNCFSP – Companies: Target, Southwest – Colleges/Universities

Starting the Search Research for which scholarships you are eligible – It is never too early to start searching for scholarships – Avoid organizations that charge fees for scholarship searches or that guarantee a scholarship = SCAMS Keep a calendar of deadlines – Received vs. Postmarked Keep a notebook with contacts, requirements and instructions for each scholarship for which you will apply

Be Prepared Choose very carefully who will write a letter of recommendation for you Write an essay that details yourself - achievements, strengths, goals, and how you plan to reach them Create and constantly update your resume Request updated transcripts with enough time to mail them out Keep an updated photograph that shows your maturity, some scholarships request a photo to print in award programs

Scholarship Selection Process Late or incomplete applications are eliminated Ineligible applications are eliminated Selection Method – Essay, letter of recommendation and resume reviewed – Examples of leadership, responsibility, focus, and motivation to succeed despite challenges are looked for in the essay

AHETEMS Scholarships General Scholarships Type: Merit- and Need-Based Scholarships Amount: $1,000 - $3,000 Who Can Apply: High School Seniors, Undergraduates, Graduate students, and SHPE Professionals Major: Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM fields) Deadline: April 1 * Goes directly to the student not the university

Academic Excellence & Leadership Award Open to rising Hispanic high school seniors (i.e. current juniors) Awarded to students with strong involvement in the Latino community as leaders and strong academic records Nomination from teacher, coach, advisor Scholarship of $2,500 plus registration, lodging and travel to attend the AHETEMS Pre-College Symposia to receive award Deadline: August of 2011 Visit

Navy ROTC Scholarship Provides $180,000 to pay for your entire college education Monthly stipend from $250 - $400 and $375 each semester Upon graduation, you are guaranteed a salaried position with the U.S. Navy as a commissioned Navy Ensigns or Second Lieutenant Required to provide a minimum of four years service commitment to the U.S. Navy ELIGIBILITY – U.S. citizen or naturalized citizen – 17 years old by September 1 of freshman year in college – No older than 23 years old by June 30 – Graduate from high school by August 1 of the year of application – SAT/ACT Minimum Scores: SAT: 530 Critical Reading (CR) 520 Math ACT: 22 English 21 Math – Apply and be accepted to an NROTC host college/university (If previously enrolled in college, may have a maximum of 30 semester credit hours) DEADLINE - The deadline to apply is in January.

AHETEMS Deadlines Jan 31Navy ROTC Scholarship April 1AHETEMS Scholarships AugustAcademic Excellence and Leadership Award

Additional Resources hispanicfund.orghispanicheritage.org thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/hispa.org scholarshipsforhispanics.orglatinoCollegeDollars.org maldef.org (Esp. for non-US citizens)fastweb. org hsf.net engineering.cornell.edu/catalyst/

Questions? AHETEMS Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science UT Arlington, Box Nedderman Hall, 416 Yates St. Arlington, TX Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314