February 25, :30 pm Cross Creek Guidance Department

 Federal Financial Aid  State—Georgia Student Finance Commission (Hope Scholarships, Hope Grant, Zell Miller, and Zell Grant).  Institutional—colleges and universities  Private Sources—civic organizations, associations, clubs, foundations, churches, and businesses.

 Gift Aid ◦ Grants ◦ Scholarships  Self- Help ◦ Employment ◦ Work Study  Loans

 HOPE Scholarship  Zell Miller Scholarship  HOPE Grant Program  Zell Miller Grant Program

 Academic Requirement of a 3.0 in academic core classes  Class of 2016– must earn 3 credits from a list of academic rigorous courses.  Must be a US citizen  Must prove Georgia residency  Public school award amounts can be found at gacollege411.org

 Minimum 3.7 GPA in academic core classes  Either a ◦ 1200 combined critical reading and math score on SAT Or ◦ 26 composite ACT score (must be from 1 test administration). ◦ Graduate from an eligible high school as the valedictorian or salutatorian. ◦ 100% of public school tuition (no fees, room/board, books). ◦ $4000 per year for private school tuition.

 A student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to maintain the HOPE scholarship  A student must maintain a 3.3 GPA to maintain the Zell Miller Scholarship  If a student loses eligibility for either the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholar Program for any reason, they may regain that eligibility one time.  If a student does not graduate from high school Academically Eligible for Zell Miller, then the student can never earn Zell Miller.

 HOPE Eligibility Checkpoints ◦ At the end of every Spring Semester ◦ 30 Attempted Semester Hours ◦ 60 Attempted Semester Hours ◦ 90 Attempted Semester Hours ◦ Students have a maximum of 127 attempted semester hours to be awarded HOPE scholarship funds. ◦ Have maximum of 7 years to utilize HOPE scholarship before their eligibility expires. (military service exceptions).

 For students enrolling in a certificate or a diploma program at a Technical College  No specific high school GPA graduation requirement  Need a 2.0 at certain checkpoints (30, 60 hours).  Paid Hours limit is 63 semester hours  See award chart for $$

 For students enrolling in a certificate or a diploma program at a Technical College  No specific high school GPA graduation requirement  Need a 3.5 at certain checkpoints (30, 60 hours).  Paid Hours limit is 63 semester hours  See award chart for $$

 You must have completed the FAFSA– ◦ Free Application for Federal Student Aid ◦ The GSFAPPS application is accessible through gacollege411.org– if applying for only HOPE– no need for this application

 FREE—never pay to fill out this form!!!!!

 Cost of attendance ◦ Tuition ◦ Mandatory fees ◦ Room and Board ◦ Books and supplies ◦ Transportation ◦ Personal Expenses (clothing, laundry, entertainment, medicine, healthcare, cell phone, etc.)

 When you fill out the FAFSA– an EFC will be determined– Expected Family Contribution  The EFC estimates the family’s ability to contribute toward educational costs.  The EFC formula includes financial information collected on the FAFSA (independent/dependent student, income, savings, assets), family size, and number of dependents, number of college students in household.

College Cost of Attendance (determined by the school) Minus the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Equals the Amount of Need Based Aid for which the Student may qualify.

 FAFSA4caster --click here FAFSA4caster --click here

 To complete the FAFSA you will need: ◦ Completed Tax Returns ◦ Information on untaxed income, such as child support, social security, TANF ◦ Household information ◦ FSA ID number---FSA ID websiteFSA ID website ◦ Youtube video on how to create an FSA IDhow to create an FSA ID --driver’s license numbers, social security numbers

FAFSA worksheet

These questions will determine whether the student is a dependent or independent student. These are the only questions that the government uses in making this decision.

 “Parent” refers to the biological or adoptive parent.  In case of divorce or separation give information about the parent you lived with most during the last 12 months.  If your divorced or widowed parent has remarried, also provide information about your stepparent.

 Use this tool if you have already filed your taxes  The information from the IRS will be populated into your FAFSA form. FAFSA Demo Site User name : eddemo Password: fafsatest

 Confirmation Number  EFC Estimate  Pell Grant and Direct Loan Estimates  Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) sent to colleges listed on FAFSA ◦ days after submission  College reviews ISIR ◦ May request additional information

Student completes the FAFSA and signs with FSAID FAFSA is processed by FSA; Student receives a SAR; College receives information if listed on the FAFSA College reviews info and assembles award package for the student Student reviews award package; compares to other award letters; student determines which college to attend. #1#2#3#4

Should include the following: Estimated Cost of Attendance (broken down by category—tuition, room and board, books, personal, transportation, fees). Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) Financial Aid Award

 Will address how much Pell Grant you are eligible for  Will show any grants and or scholarships you are being offered at the institutional level.  Will show what they expect you to earn from HOPE/Zell (the final determination for this is not until June 2016)  Will show you the amount of money you need to borrow to cover the remainder of the cost of attendance.

 Maximum Pell Grant Amount = $5815  $ per semester  Full time student (12 or more hours)  Based on $0 EFC

 Subsidized Direct Loans ◦ Interest is paid by the government while enrolled (at least half-time).  Unsubsidized Stafford Loans ◦ Student is responsible for paying the interest on the loan.  Repayment begins six (6) months after graduation or ceasing to be enrolled half- time.

 College websites  Alumni Associations  Different colleges and universities have different policies regarding eligibility about these sources. Some need separate applications, some are based on transcripts alone, some are not available to freshmen, some are degree specific.

 Scholarship books (library, book store, etc.)  Online searches  Civic Organizations  Churches  Businesses  CCHS guidance office sends out information on the daily announcements as scholarships come into our office.

 Tuition = $5098  Fees = $ 1834  Room and Board = $6014  Total for year = $12,946  Pell Grant $5815 (max award based on $0 EFC)  HOPE (1 st sem) $2280 (based on 15 hours)  HOPE (2 nd sem) $2280 (based on 15 hours)  Remaining amount due= $2571—from other scholarships, loans, parent contributions, etc.

 Use the Official website – FAFSA.GOV  Have SSN Card when filing FAFSA  Use SSN Card name, not Nickname  Select Correct Award Year  Complete FAFSA early using Estimates  After making corrections, Resubmit  Don’t Forget State Deadlines - link

 Gather tax information  Feel as if you need more help– call us in guidance to set up an appointment. CCHS guidance is available for individual help and guidance

 Gacollege411.orgGacollege411.org  Federal Student Aid --Student Aid website Federal Student Aid --Student Aid website  CCHS website– for scholarships and other information. CCHS website