2016/17 Financial Aid High School Presentation : Dorothy J Gilliard FASNA LLC Consultant and HESAA Representative

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 2 WHAT WE WILL COVER The Types/Sources of Aid The Application Process The Financial Aid Package

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 4 Sources of Aid Federal State of New Jersey The College/University Outside Organizations – Civic organizations (ex.-local Rotary Club), parent’s employer, high school awards Types of Financial Aid Grants Scholarships Loans Employment Opportunities Section I Sources - Types of Aid

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 5 Types of Aid - Federal Federal Government Grants 2016/17 –Pell ($5,915 projected award) –SEOG ($4,000 max award) –TEACH ($3,728 max award) As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant,student must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which he/she agree to (among other requirements) teach in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 6 Types of Aid – State State of New Jersey – TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) 2016 – 2017 Demonstrate Financial Need Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen Must be New Jersey Resident & attend a New Jersey Institution Must be full time at an approved degree program Meet all state deadlines – Part-Time TAG for County Colleges Meet all TAG requirements With the exception of being enrolled for 6-11 credits Amounts range from $2,628 - $12,196 (FT)

Types of Aid – State (cont.) State of New Jersey – EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) Award ranges from $200 - $2,500 Must be a New Jersey resident 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award Must apply and be accepted to a participating New Jersey college or university Must meet the academic criteria as set by the institution of choice Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Must demonstrate an educationally and economically disadvantaged background – Governor’s Urban Scholarship Rank within the top 5% of their class at the end of junior year Attain a 3.0 GPA at the end of the junior year Attend an approved New Jersey college or University and reside in a designated community Have a New Jersey Eligibility Index below 10,500 Award: $1,000 per year Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 7

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 8 Types of Aid – State (cont.) State Scholarships – NJ STARS NJ residents who rank in the top 15% of their class at either the end of junior or senior year Achieve the required score on a college placement test to determine college readiness Students must take at least 12 college credits Students must attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the start of the third semester at the county college to remain an NJ STAR Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Covers Tuition only – NJ STARS II Received NJSTARS funding and have a family taxable income of less than $250,000 Must earn an associates degree and graduate with a 3.25 GPA or higher May receive up to $2,500 annually for a public or private 4-year NJ college or university Must enroll full time (12 credit hours) Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 9 Types of Aid – PP/Loans for Students Monthly Payment Plans – offered by the college/private entities (not a loan) Federal Direct Undergraduate Direct Loans are 4.29% plus a 1.068% origination fee 2016 – 2017 Rates and fees are subject to change

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 10 Types of Aid – Loans for Students/Parents Variable Rate NJCLASS LOAN, starting at 4.53% This option has no origination fee Fixed Rate NJCLASS LOAN, varying repayment options Interest rates range from 4.99% to 7.85% for the award year. Students can borrow up to the cost of attendance and must be the borrower. All fixed rate NJCLASS loans have a 3% origination fee Federal PLUS Program (6.84% & 4.272% Origination fee) Parent is the borrower Private Educational Loans – Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo, PNC, Etc – 2017 Rates and fees are subject to change

AcademicsAthleticAbility* SAT’sGeographicDiversity APCoursesLegacy(childofalumni) ActivitiesTalent AcademicTrackGender/Ethnicity H.S.AttendedClassRank Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 11 Types of Aid - Institutional & Private Scholarships Factors that may influence eligibility: * Athletic awards offered by NCAA Division I and Division II schools only.

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 12 Section II - Applications

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 13 Application: CSS Profile Nearly 400 Colleges and Organizations use the CSS profile to determine how they will award institutional funds Available 10/1 each year and collects more comprehensive income, asset and household information than the FAFSA (i.e. assets for business owners regardless of number of employees Register - Complete Application – Make payment - Submit

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 13 Application: CSS Profile If the marital status is divorced or separated the application requires that information be submitted for the non-custodial parent All assets: Taxable and Non-Taxable are included A Business/Farm Supplement may be required if one or more of the parents is self-employed Family can explain special circumstances in detaill

Application:CSS Profile Website to complete a Profile Application Customer Service Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 14

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 15 Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the earliest school’s deadline & complete the NJ State Specific Questions Available January 1st To ensure maximum consideration for federal, state, and institutional aid, check information from each school to determine: – Required application materials – Application deadlines Be sure to answer all optional questions on the FAFSA like “Gender” & “Driver License” to speed up processing Application: FAFSA

A Change for Both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA will have a new Beginning Processing Date for the School Year October 1, 2016 Senior HS Students will apply in January, 2016 for September; again in October for Use same Income Information Updated Asset Information Will facilitate the IRS Data Retrieval Process

–––– FAFSA on the Web at Student & Parent must create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at Estimated income or actual prior year tax information Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to populate income & tax information Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Collects family’s personal and financial information used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution File the FAFSA electronically

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 17 What is a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID? In order to enhance security, FAFSA has replaced the PIN number with the FSA ID If you already have a PIN, you can link your information to your new FSA ID by entering your PIN while registering for your FSA ID PIN number is not necessary to create a FSA ID If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID

How to Create An FSA ID Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 18

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 19 General Highlighted Eligibility Requirements Must have a valid Social Security Number Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program of study Must be pursuing a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen Must be registered with Selective Service (males are required)

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 20 Key Components of the FAFSA Student Demographics – Last Name – Social Security Number – Date of Birth – NJ applicants must provide an answer to the driver’s license questions. – ALL applicants must indicate their gender. Student Income and Assets [50/20] – IRS Data Retrieval – Income earned from work Student Status: Dependent/Independent Parent Demographics-Who is a Parent? – Social Security Number – Last Name – Date of Birth

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 20 Key Components of the FAFSA Three Important Data Matches SSA – Social Security Administration DHS – Department of Homeland Security Selective Service – for all male students that are 18+

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 21 Key Components of the FAFSA (cont.) Household Size Number in college Marital Status Parent(s) Income and Assets – IRS Data Retrieval – Income earned from work – Dislocated Worker Federal Means Tested Benefits – SSI, SNAP, Free or Reduced Price Lunch, TANF, WIC College Choice – List a New Jersey college first !! – IMPORTANT - !! – List all colleges of interest (up to 10)

New Information About College Listings on the FAFSA In response to some parental concerns that some institutions have been using the list of colleges that a student includes on the FAFSA for purposes unrelated to the awarding of financial aid the Federal Government will only provide the receiving school’s information on the ISIR record.

Assets Cash, Checking, and Savings Taxable Investments Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds Real Estate (Other Than Your Primary Residence) 529 Accounts A 529 college savings plan account that is owned by the student or the student’s parent must be reported as an investment asset on the (FAFSA). Distributions from a 529 plan owned by the parents are not reported as income on the FAFSA, Other “outside” 529 plans are not reported as assets on the student’s FAFSA, but distributions from such 529 plans are reported as untaxed income to the student on the subsequent year’s FAFSA. Retirement Assets such as 401Ks, 403Bs, etc. are NOT reported on the FAFSA

Income Sources Income from Work Child Support* Contributions to a Retirement Account Taxable Contributions to a Health Savings Account Tax Exempt Interest Income Housing allowance provided to members of the clergy, military, or others *Note: Child Support PAID is a deduction against income on the FAFSA. Alimony Received is included in AGI and reported on the FAFSA with other income.

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 22 Common Mistakes Made on the FAFSA Student’s name as it appears on the social security card, social security number, and date of birth. Parent section vs. Student section Number of people in the household Divorced/remarried households Taxes paid vs. taxes withheld (estimated income) Parental and student assets Skipping the gender question

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 23 How To Be Considered for State Aid Complete the FAFSA within established deadlines (Oct. 1) Be sure to list a New Jersey college or university as your 1 st choice on the FAFSA Once you submit the FAFSA, NJ residents will be given the option to link to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority’s website to respond to additional questions to be considered for TAG, NJ STARS, NJ STARS II and other state programs. Click the link and complete the additional New Jersey State questions. If questions not answered, student may log into “njgrants.org” to complete the additional questions for state aid. HESAA will notify you of the status of your State grant application.

Click to Apply for State Aid Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 24

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 26 Cost of Attendance Tuition and fees Room and board Books and supplies, equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses Loan fees Study abroad costs Other unexpected educational costs

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Basis of financial aid package EFC is determined by a federal formula that calculates need using the information you supplied on the FAFSA EFC & Financial Need are guidelines used by schools to determine an aid package EFC is not necessarily equal to a family’s out-of- pocket costs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 27

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Family lives in New Jersey Oldest parent in household, age 48 Household size of 4 with 1 child going to college 2015 adjusted gross income = $120,000 Assets = $20,000 Student income / assets = 4500/2500 EFC = $26,000 Sample EFC for Family X 28

College Community College StateCollege orUniversity Private Collegeor University COA$13,300$25,561$45,676 EFC$26,000 FinancialNeed00$19676 Financial Need for Family X Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 29

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 30 Award Letter Award letter format may vary by institution Available in hard copy or on-line Available after FAFSA filed and student is accepted Used to compare aid packages

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 33 Section IV – Other Information Financial Aid Timeline: Oct-Jan - Complete college search, application process, and CSS Profile Jan-March - Student/Parents complete FAFSA March-May - Schools send award letters June-July - School sends Fall Semester bill

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 34 CAUTION! Avoid being charged a fee to file the FAFSA unless you are concerned about completing that type of form for the first time on your own – Completing and processing the FAFSA is FREE – If filing FAFSA on the Web, make sure you go directly to: – Contact the financial aid office or HESAA at if you need help in completing the FAFSA

Where Do I Go From Here? Obtain and review admission, financial aid materials and deadlines from each school to which you are applying Meet all application deadlines – CSS Profile if applicable – Complete the FAFSA and any other application materials required by the school or your state agency - NJ State deadlines are: October 1 for Fall and Spring term awards; March 1 – Spring awards only Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 35

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 36 Other Resources Outside Scholarships Campus Administered Payment Plans Campus Employment Specialized Campus Opportunities Residential Advisors Student Ambassadors Student Tour Guides Internships/CO-OP’S

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 37 Private Scholarship Search Institution/college web sites Local library resources Local businesses, civic organizations and churches Parent’s employer(s)

Questions Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 38

Thank you Higher Education Student Assistance Authority