WELCOME TO WAGNER FAFSA NIGHT FEB. 28, FREE!!! DO NOT PAY ANYTHING!! APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. COME TO T129 FOR HELP. FINANCIAL AID SATURDAYS AT ALAMO COLLEGES: MARCH 2 & APRIL 6

WHY COMPLETE A FAFSA? Why Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?  This is how a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid is determined  Completing a FAFSA is FREE How early can you complete a FAFSA?  January 1, 2013 for school year Do you have to have filed your tax return or received your W2s to fill out the FAFSA?  NO. You can estimate using a last pay stub and make an update once you have filed (updates must be made through the IRS Match Feature on the FAFSA)

FAFSA VIDEO fafsa.cfm

WHO IS CONSIDERED A “PARENT”? U.S. Department of Education’s definition of parent is limited to:  Biological parents  Stepparent legally married to biological parent  Adoptive parents A “parent” cannot be  A legal guardian  Grandparent / aunt / uncle, etc, whom the student lives with

WHAT IS A DEPENDENCY OVERRIDE? Gives financial aid administrator authority to allow otherwise dependent applicant to apply as independent applicant due to unusual circumstances  Parent abuse, abandonment, incarceration, etc.  Not used simply because student lives outside parent household after age 18 or parents object to provide data Must be supported by documentation by professionals outside the family Student should contact Financial Aid Office for instructions after submitting the FAFSA without parental data

AFTER FAFSA SUBMISSION After receiving completed application, the Department's processor will analyze FAFSA information and, using a formula established into law by Congress, calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The results of application, the Student Aid Report, will be sent to the student and schools listed on application  It is important for students to read the SAR carefully since if the SAR has a rejection, the FAFSA will not process until a correction is made

AFTER FAFSA SUBMISSION The student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) to determine unmet financial need. Cost of Attendance = $21,721 - Expected Family Contribution= 0 Unmet Financial Need= $21,721

AFTER FAFSA SUBMISSION The school will notify student of financial aid package by sending an award letter The award package is also placed on the student’s online access account for the college The school may ask for additional information The student accepts/declines awards either by signature on award letter or online Student must complete additional requirements for each award type as requested

SCHOLARSHIPS Apply for General Scholarships with the General Scholarship Application  Freshmen -  Continuing Each college’s financial aid website Check with your college/department for other scholarships Utilize Outside Donors  Surf the Net (  Check companies and community organizations  College & Career Website or s 

ACCESS GRANTS Available (pending funding by the state) to first-time freshmen who are Texas residents at most public colleges Annual family income and wages and assets at a determined amount or less Guaranteed grants and / or scholarships to cover tuition and mandatory fees for 4 years Must complete the FAFSA and be admitted to university by their Priority Deadline Must complete 24 credit hours per academic year (at least 12 credit hours in Fall and Spring) Must maintain a designated cumulative GPA

IMMIGRANT STUDENTS: NORIEGA LAW – HB1403 / SB1528 HB1403 is an historic law passed in 2001 that granted certain non- immigrant students, including undocumented students, the ability to be classified as Texas Residents, which results in two benefits:  Pay in-state tuition at a Texas public university  Qualify for state financial aid. In 2005, SB1528 amended the provisions of HB1403 so that they applied to all individuals who had lived in Texas a significant part of their lives. Citizens, permanent residents, and certain non- immigrant students could also establish a claim to residency following this provision.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students are eligible to submit the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) if they:  Are not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident  Graduated from a Texas public or private high school or received a GED  Resided in Texas for three consecutive years leading to graduation or receipt of a GED

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?  Provide their institutions a signed affidavit indicating intent to apply for permanent residency as soon as possible  Have registered as a new entering student at an institution of higher education not earlier than the Fall 2001 semester  Have resided in Texas for the twelve months prior to enrollment

HOW DO STUDENTS SUBMIT TASFA? The student must submit a paper TASFA to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services The Texas Application for State Financial Aid can be accessed at Students with a family income less than $6500 must submit documentation of how expenses are paid Males must register with the Selective Service and provide proof that they have registered or are not required to register

HOW ARE IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AWARDED FINANCIAL AID? Awards are based on financial need and offered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted Awards are for tuition and fees only; awarding is in July Only awarded students will be notified The program is not available in Summer terms The student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HB1403 STUDENTS The following websites offer scholarships for HB 1403 students:  

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS FOR ALL FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID Must maintain a 2.0 Cumulative GPA 67% completion rate of attempted hours  i.e. Fall = 12 hours / Spring = 12 hours  Total Attempted = 24 hours  Must complete 17 hours Maximum hours attempted must not exceed 1 ½ times the required number of hours necessary to earn degree  i.e. Undergraduate Program = 120 hours x 1.5 = 180 hours

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