Trailblazer Camp 2007 Catchin’ Doubloons Scholarships, Grants & Loans

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Institutional Aid  Each institution has its own merit-based scholarship programs  Many schools have their own need-based aid programs  Investigate aid opportunities early  Each institution has its own aid application process and deadline  Upperclassmen should also check with their department for aid opportunities for students in a specific major

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Campus-Based Federal Aid Programs  FSEOG  LEAP  Academic Competitiveness Grant  National SMART Grant  Federal Work Study  Perkins Loans  Stafford Loans

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Institution Financial Aid Deadlines InstitutionDeadlineInstitutionDeadline BRCC4/15BPCC6/1 Centenary3/15Delgado5/1 Grambling6/1La College5/1 Delta CC4/15LSU-A5/1 LSU-BR5/1LSU-E6/1 LSU-S6/1La Tech7/15 Loyola2/1McNeese5/1 Nicholls4/15Northwestern5/1 Holy Cross4/15OLOL5/1 SLU5/1SU-BR3/31 SU-S7/30SU-NO4/15 Tulane2/1ULL5/1 ULM7/1UNO5/15 Xavier6/1

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Forms  FAFSA  Required for all federal need-based aid programs  Institutional Data Form  Many institutions require this form to gather information on student preferences including choice of lender and guarantor, semesters the student is applying for, student status, and interest in specific programs  Verification Forms  Approximately 30% of applicants for federal student aid are randomly selected for verification of income

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Special Situations  You should make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor for assistance with the FAFSA if any of the following situations apply:  You have no contact with your parents  Your family has had a significant change in income due to the death of a family member or the loss of a job  Your family has unusually large medical expenses

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Packaging  Packages are usually prepared for students who have been accepted for admission and have sent their FAFSA to the school  The institution will create a financial aid package to fill the student’s financial need with aid types that are most advantageous to the student  Aid is typically packaged in the following order:  Scholarships & Grants  Work Study  Perkins Loans  Stafford Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)  Plus Loans  Stafford Unsubsidized Loans – for independent students and dependent students whose parents have an adverse credit history

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Institutional Award Letter  The award letter will list all aid that the financial aid office has approved for the student  Institutions will typically include an estimate of a TOPS award in the financial aid package to prevent an over-award of other forms of financial aid  The sum of all aid received cannot exceed the cost of attendance (COA)  Official notification of a TOPS award is made by LOSFA

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Papers in the Mail  You may receive the following types of correspondence in the mail:  Student Aid Report  Award letter from LOSFA (TOPS)  Request for documents for verification – from the institution to verify data submitted on the FAFSA for federal aid programs  Data Form – some institutions require this form to determine the student’s interest in aid types prior to packaging

Trailblazer Camp 2007 Papers in the Mail  Notification of aid from private sources  Notify the institution you are attending of any aid you receive for inclusion in your financial aid package  Financial aid package award letter from the institution  Master Promissory Note – if accepting a loan  Must be returned to the lender