GEAR UP Tip of the Week: WRITE DOWN ONE GOAL FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS OF THE SEMESTER

FUNDING YOUR FUTURE What will it cost – how will you pay?

Can you afford to go to college? ■Raise your hand if you think you might go to some form of college/school after high school. ■Think about the following: –Do you know how much it costs to go to college? –Do you know what the FAFSA and Financial Aid is? Write on the board a question you have about financial aid. –Let’s say you want to be a teacher. ■In order to be a teacher, you must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (4 years of college). How much does that cost? Let’s see….

Sticker Price vs. Affordability ■In the average range of cost of tuition at four-year colleges in Washington is: $7,961- $43,150 yearly. ■The tuition cost at the Community Colleges of Spokane is $4,000 per year. ■Take a minute and do some math… –What is the average range of cost for four years of college at the 4-year colleges?

Sticker Price vs. Affordability ■But, tuition is NOT the only college cost! There will be other charges as well: Living expenses for food and shelter (room and board), books and supplies for your classes, travel (gas or bus), etc.. ■To make it more affordable, you can attend a community college the first two years then transfer to a 4 year college to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Your senior year in high school, you will apply for financial aid to help pay for college. ■Types of Aid ■Gift Aid –  Grants or Scholarships  Does not have to be paid back ■Self-Help Aid -  Loans - Have to be paid back with interest  Employment ■Sources of Aid (Where does the money come from?) ■Federal Government (You must file the FAFSA) ■State of Washington ■College you attend (merit aid or scholarships) ■Private Institutions (scholarships) ■ E.g.: Banks, Businesses, etc.

How and when do I apply for financial aid? ■Scholarships ■There are scholarships for students in grades ■See the scholarship list in your Naviance Family Connection account. ■Visit the College & Career tab at for more info on scholarships. ■FAFSA Form ■This form is how you apply for Federal financial aid (Grants and Loans) ■Complete the FAFSA after your Senior year in high school.

What’s so important about the FAFSA? ■The FAFSA is THE form required by all colleges in order for them to be able to give you federal money. ■It’s the form that provides your college the information they need to offer you a financial aid award package. ■FAFSA stands for FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, hence it’s FREE! All it costs you to file is about 30 minutes of your time. ■It’s available online at (ONLY.gov and NOT.com, NOT.org, NOT dot anything else!)

Here’s a quick overview of the FAFSA you will file your Senior year.

How might my grades affect my financial aid opportunities in the future?  Many scholarships are based on academics (your grades and test scores).  You will be required to maintain a certain grade point average in college in order to retain your federal financial aid (FAFSA) or scholarships.  Your GPA at the end of your Junior year in high school is what colleges will look at for acceptance purposes. Financial aid doesn’t do you much good,if you are not accepted to the college.

Let’s review:

Who can I count on at LC for scholarship and FAFSA/financial aid help? ■Career Center, room 105: – Mrs. Mackleit --Mr. Chavez Garcia ■T-2-4 Counselor, Counseling Center: -- Mr. Spraggins ■Was your question about financial aid answered today? ■If not, have your Seminar teacher Mrs. Mackleit and you will hear the answer to your question in Seminar next week.