TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR YEAR

SENIOR POINTERS Adult School – Finish Aventa – For credit/better grade CAR Hours GRADES Time Management – WORK ON TIME Universities – Be vigilant of – Deadlines Community College Financial Aid Calendar – On Line Workshops

SOURCES OF F.A. STATE – Cal Grant A 4 year college – Cal Grant B 2 yr./4 yr. – Cal Grant C vocational Federal – Pell Grant – Supplemental Grants – Student/Parent Loans – Work Study

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? Money given or paid to help pay for college GIFT AID – Grants & scholarships = free money you don’t pay back. SELF HELP – work study (job to help pay for school given to the student). Loans given to the student or parent that must be paid back. Financial aid programs are ways to help students pay for school.

Who Is Eligible? U.S. Citizens or Legal Resident High School graduate or GED (Males) Register for Selective 18 years of age Enrolled in an accredited school Enrolled in an approved course of study Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress Establish Financial Need

FEDERAL & STATE AID $$$ All students must complete a free application for federal student aid – FAFSA before March 2 nd for federal $$ - this is step #1. For California $$ the school can submit your academic GPA verification form for you, but you must check with the school to see that we have your correct SS# on file. Must complete FAFSA every year to renew financial aid.

Federal Aid - FAFSA form for 2013/14 will be available on line on January 1, Financial Aid Night – Jan. 15 th Little Theater – SPANISH – Jan. 15 th New Manor- ENGLISH On line workshops to help you complete the FAFSA – February 15 th and February 28 th Location TBA

Documents you will need Federal Tax Returns for 2012 (1040EZ, 1040A, 1040) for student and parents if parents file taxes. W-2 from your employer Bank Statements Business statements if self employed Any information on investments if applicable.

HOW TO MEET THE MARCH DEADLINE If there isn’t a great change in your family income. You can complete the FAFSA using 2011 tax information in January BEFORE March 2 nd parents file 2012 federal taxes (talk to your tax person) Once original FAFSA is processed (10 day turn around on line) you must submit corrections.

HOW DOES IT WORK – Fed. $$ Parent & student complete FAFSA electronically and submit application. FAFSA sends -Student Aid Report (SAR) within 10 days that you can print out by going back to the website Report also goes to schools you listed Report determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – it is a number schools will use to create your financial aid package.

HOW DOES IT WORK – CA $$ The Academic GPA is submitted by the high school electronically CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC) connects to student FAFSA and scores it to determine the eligibility. CAL Grant bases it on your information + GPA and first 3 schools you listed.

CAL GRANT CAL Grant sends letter OR to students or go to = webgrants for students to set up account. Prefer you provide address Financial Aid office of the university/college sends you an , or you check your web account for the school you set up to check status.

FINANCIAL AID FORMULA COST OF ATTENDANCE - EFC FINANCIAL NEED

COST OF ATTENDANCE (varies from school to school)  Tuition & Enrollment fees  Room & Board (dorm or living costs at parents house)  Books & Supplies  Personal expenses  This is the same for two year colleges & universities.

EFC = EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION Income of parents & student Family size Number of family members in college Age of the parents Level of education of the parents (for CAL Grants)

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Special Circumstances - foster, lost jobs, death of a parent, dependency. Financial Aid Fridays, at lunch time, seniors can drop by for quick questions, bring print out of completed FAFSA before they submit so it can be checked.

EXTRA INFORMATION You can complete FAFSA on line in the library without an account and the report will be sent to you via U.S. mail; it will take longer

COMMUNITY LIBRARY HOURS – MONDAY – THURSDAY 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. – SATURDAYS 10:00 – 2:00 P.M. – COMMUNITY LIBRARY IS OPEN TO PARENTS & STUDENTS – You can use the computer lab in the library to complete your FAFSA.

WEBSITES – CAL GRANT

SCHOLARSHIP TIPS Senior bulletin Scholarships have deadlines

YOU CAN DO THIS! Attend the evening workshop Student can save the application ON LINE & show up to an on line workshop and we can check it. See your counselor for help! SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS – BEWARE!

DEADLINES ARE IMPORTANT! Keep a calendar for scholarships & financial aid, and your college applications. Check the student aid report (SAR) once you get it. Make sure there aren’t any mistakes. Electronic filers get a SAR within 10 business READ If you don’t hear from them. Call FED-AID.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS All counselors can help answer questions, so students should be going to their counselor. Students & parents should read the tip sheet, and calendar for workshops Follow guidelines, don’t show up to a workshop with no information. Don’t wait until the last minute, you might not get your money before fees are due.

QUESTIONS? COUNSELORS: Beth Denny Vicki Dayton Sara Hall Yadira Cortez