 Copyright 2008 Financial Aid Overview Presented by The East Bay Cash for College Coalition Presenter: …….. Presentation available for download at:

 Copyright Cash for College $1,000 Scholarship Evaluation Complete and turn in the Student Evaluation BEFORE you leave! Location and Date Write Clearly! Scholarship Rules on pg 2 Must submit your FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA by March 2nd Winner will be chosen after March 2nd and announced by your counselor or by a letter mailed to the address provided. Scholarship will be sent to the college.

 Copyright Types of Financial Aid Gift Aid - Grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid Work - Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus Loans - Borrowed money to be paid back, usually with interest

 Copyright Financial Aid Award Letter All Financial Aid Award letters include the following: Cost of Attendance (or Student Budget) Expected Family Contribution Aid Offered - grants - work-study - loans - scholarships

 Copyright 2008 Types of Applications FAFSA Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Check college websites for additional forms such as: –CSS Financial Aid Profile –Scholarships Applications –CCC Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver May need to provide a copy of your family’s 2008 Federal tax returns GPA Form

 Copyright Cal Grant Application Requirements Check with your high school or college counselor for more details on how to file your Verified GPA for Cal Grant consideration. By March 2, 2009, complete and submit: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Cal Grant GPA Verification Form OR Release Form

 Copyright Citizenship Status u A valid social security # (for the student only) is required on the forms for federal and state financial aid. u You may be eligible for in-state tuition costs at California public colleges or universities. u Check with colleges and universities to see if institutional financial aid is available. u Apply for all private scholarships for which you may be eligible For more information and a list of scholarships, go to: NOTE: if you are undocumented or under-documented

 Copyright Special Circumstances Contact the Financial Aid Office if there is: –Loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets –Death or serious illness –Natural disasters affecting parent income or assets –Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance –Reduction in child support, social security benefits or other untaxed benefit –Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents –Any other unusual circumstances that affect a family’s ability to contribute to higher education See presenter for handout on Special Circumstances documentation

 Copyright FAFSA Information & Tips File early, but no later than March 2, 2009 Use estimated 2008 income information if taxes are not complete at time of FAFSA submission Student and at least one parent whose information is reported must complete and sign the FAFSA PINs available in Real Time thru the FAFSA Website:

 Copyright 2008 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet Black = questions for student Purple = questions for parent READ all instructions and gather what you need to complete this form!

 Copyright Your Social Security Number (Q8) Your last name (Q1) List the student’s name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on the Social Security card. Both will be compared through a database match process HERNANDEZ-GARCIA

 Copyright a.If U.S. citizen, status will be confirmed by a Social Security match. b.If eligible noncitizen, SSN and ARN will be confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) match.  Write in your eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) c.If neither a citizen or eligible noncitizen, you are ineligible for federal/state aid, but might still be eligible for state or institutional funds. Citizenship Status (Q14, Q15)

 Copyright Selective Service Registration (Q22) MALE students will be entered into a database for use if there is a draft. There has not been a draft since If you are not 18 as of the day you submit your FAFSA, you can leave it blank, but remember to select “Register me” on next year’s FAFSA. For more information, go to :

 Copyright 2008 Interest in Work-study and Loans does NOT obligate you to work or borrow, nor will it cause you to lose grants and scholarships. Answering “Neither” may restrict some options for limited loans and work-study funds. 14 Work-study and Loans? (Q31)

 Copyright Section 2 Determination of Student Dependency Status You will need proof if you answer YES.

 Copyright 2008 Dependency (continued)

 Copyright Section 3 – Parental Information See top of Page 4 about who is considered a parent: –Biological or adoptive parent(s) –Stepparent (regardless of any prenuptial agreements) –Use only one parent’s information if divorced or separated DO NOT include information on: - legal guardians - grandparents, or - other relatives See presenter for handout on Special Circumstances documentation

 Copyright Father’s and/or Mother’s SSN, Last Name, and Date of Birth (Q63-70) JONES PARKER Information should be listed as they appear on the parent/s’ Social Security Card for a database match If parent does NOT have a SSN, enter Do NOT include additional information on parent if single, divorced, separated, or widowed.

 Copyright Parents’ Tax Return Filing Status for 2008 Q82 NOT in Worksheet: For 2008, have your parents completed their IRS income tax return? - My parents have already completed their return. - My parents will file, but they have not completed their return. - My parents are NOT going to file (skip to Q89) Type of income tax return (Q83-84)

 Copyright Parents’ Household 2008 Federal Benefits Indicate if you, your parents, or anyone in your parents’ household received benefits in 2008 from any of the federal programs listed.

 Copyright Parent Assets (Q91) Report the current balance of your parents’ cash, savings, and checking accounts as of the day you complete the FAFSA. 2, 155 TIP: Report available cash (after the bills are paid) NOTE: Some financial aid offices may request supporting documentation for the answers to these questions.

 Copyright Parent Assets (Q92) bonds and other securities Coverdell IRAs 529 plans installment and land sale contracts commodities, etc. Net Worth means current value minus debt Investments include: real estate (other than parents’ home) trust funds UGMA and UTMA accounts money market and mutual funds certificates of deposit stocks and stock options 7, 900

 Copyright Section 5 – School Information List up to 10 colleges - that you have applied and/or are planning to apply List at least one California College 1st, 2nd or 3rd, for Cal Grant consideration List those schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state Find school codes at: List a community college for summer 2009!

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 Copyright What Happens Next? Students and the colleges the student listed receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from federal processor  Students who complete FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form receive California Aid Report (CAR)  Students and families review SAR and CAR for important information and accuracy of data  Colleges match admission records with financial aid applications and determine aid eligibility  Colleges mail notices of financial aid eligibility to admitted students who have completed all required financial aid forms

 Copyright Summary of the Financial Aid Process Submit all required forms, including the FAFSA, by each college’s published deadlines (but no later than March 2) By March 2, submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (or Release Form) Keep a copy of all forms submitted Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) and California Aid Report (CAR) for accuracy Watch for financial aid award notifications from colleges to which the student has been admitted Be sure to apply for financial aid this year and every year as soon as possible after January 1 to receive the best financial aid award possible ASK QUESTIONS!

 Copyright Questions and Answers