Financial Aid Night! Beacon Academy of Nevada January 7, 2015

FAFSA “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” Don’t fall for scams or use pay sites! Two websites: Studentaid.gov: lots of info! FAFSA.ed.gov: apply online! Use FAFSA4caster to estimate! Students should be sure to meet any financial aid deadlines the college may have

What do I need to complete a FAFSA? Your Social Security Number Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable) Records of untaxed income (if applicable) A Federal Student Aid ID to sign electronically. (If you do not already have one, visit to obtain one.)

Pell Grant For the 2015–16 award year (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016), the maximum award will be $5,775. The amount you get will depend on: your financial need your cost of attendance your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive FSEOGs first. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid. You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year. Each participating school receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid.

Scholarships Cappex Fastweb Nevada Public Education Foundation Unlike other sites, these scholarships are only open to NV residents; some restrictions apply Consider: Is the site free? Does it request my personal info? Keep an eye on the “Student Services” tab in Blackboard

Millennium Scholarship As a Nevada high school student, you will become eligible for a Millennium Scholarship when all of the following conditions are met: 1. You must graduate with a diploma from a Nevada public or private high school in the graduating class of the year 2000 or later; 2. You must complete high school with at least a 3.25 grade point average calculated using all high school credit granting courses. The grade point average may be weighted or unweighted; 3. You must pass all areas of the Nevada High School Proficiency Examination; 4. You must have been a resident of Nevada, as defined by the Board of Regents’ policy (Title 4, Chapter 18, Section 19), for at least two of your high school years. Must meet Core Curriculum: English: 4 credits Math (including Algebra II): 4 credits Natural Science: 3 credits Social Science and History: 3 credits

Federal Loans vs. Private Bank Loans Federal student loans offer many benefits compared to other options: Lower Interest Rates Don’t need a credit check or a cosigner Don’t have to begin repayment until after you leave college Government will pay your interest while you’re in school Flexible repayment plans Certain jobs may make you eligible to have a portion of your loans forgiven

How much can I borrow? The college determines the loan type(s), if any, and the actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year. There are limits on: each academic year (annual loan limits) total amounts that you may borrow for undergraduate and graduate study (aggregate loan limits) These limits vary depending on what year you are in school whether you are a dependent or independent student

Subsidized Loans Here’s a quick overview: Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. Your school determines the amount you can borrow, and the amount may not exceed your financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while you’re in school at least half-time for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period*) during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).

Unsubsidized Loans Here’s a quick overview of Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. Your school determines the amount you can borrow based on your cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive. You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods; otherwise it will accrue and capitalize.

PLUS loans Loans made to parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Here’s a quick overview of Direct PLUS Loans: The U.S. Department of Education is the lender. The borrower must not have an adverse credit history. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid received.

Interest Rates Loan Type Borrower Type Loans disbursed on or after 7/1/15 and before 7/1/16 Direct Subsidized Loans Undergraduate4.29% Direct Unsubsidized Loans Undergraduate4.29% Direct Unsubsidized Loans Parent Plus Loans Graduate/Professional 5.84% 6.84% The interest rates shown above are fixed rates for the life of the loan.

Need Help Completing the FAFSA? Please contact your counselor to set up an appointment to review the FAFSA and discuss other financial aid options. Ms. Steiner, 9 th and 11 th grade, continuing seniors Ms. Wilson, 10 th and 12 th grade

Upcoming Online Event: You are invited to join College Week Live on Thursday, January 14th from 2: :00 PM EST for Paying for College Day! Paying for College Day is a free online event to help you find the best way to fund your college education. Log in to: Chat live with admissions counselors from over 100 colleges and universities around the globe Get free advice on financial aid, scholarships, and more from industry experts including a presentation by the US Department of Education! Earn a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship, just for researching colleges during the event Sign up at P4C.CollegeWeekLive.com!

UNLV and CSN Sarah Dailey Admissions Counselor University of Nevada, Las Vegas (702) Ivore White Recruiter/ Success Coach College of Southern Nevada (702)