1. UTRGV Financial Aid Updates Jael Garcia Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations Financial Aid

2. 2016-2017 FAFSA Changes Limited changes for 2016-2017 FAFSA application Colleges will not be able to see the names of other colleges that student included on the FAFSA. All College Names will be included on information sent to state student grant agencies and the student will still be able to view this information in his/her Student Aid Report (SAR) Marital Status Changes and date of status Warning message when student enters same SSN for both parents Language was changed for clarification in questions relating to rollovers, IRS Data retrieval questions and legal guardianship questions

3. FSA ID New FSA ID replaced the PIN for student and parent to log in and sign FAFSA application Pin Numbers Were Retired in May 2015 FSA ID consists of username and password – which increases the security level for the user FSA ID needed to log into fafsa.gov, the National Student Loan Data System(NSLDS) at nslds.ed.gov, StudentLoans.gov, StudentAid.gov and Agreement to Serve(ATS) at teach-ats.ed.gov Create FSA ID at www.studentaid.gov/fsaid www.studentaid.gov/fsaid Students & parents that have current PIN will be able to enter it and link it to their FSA ID to assist with verification of FSA ID A valid e-mail address is not required but strongly suggested for student and parent to create an FSA ID. If entering e-mail only one e-mail address can be used per FSA ID.

4. IRS Data Retrieval Tool IRS Data Retrieval tool is expected to be available on February 7, 2016 (data available within 2-3 weeks for e-filers and within 8-11 weeks for paper filers) FOTW includes logic/questions to determine if applicant is eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Unmarried and both parents living together” not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Same gender married couples using “married filing jointly” status can use IRS Data Retrieval

5. FAFSA on the Web Reminder  A student MUST have a valid SSN AND be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident in order to complete a FAFSA online (few exceptions)  If a student that does not have a valid SSN or is not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent resident but graduated from a Texas High School, he/she can complete a TASFA for institution they are attending  These students may qualify for state aid under Senate Bill 1528.  Students under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may have a SSN card that says “for employment purposes only” or an Employment Authorization Card. These documents don’t make students eligible for federal aid, thus in Texas they should complete a TASFA instead of a FAFSA on the web.

6. Senate Bill 1528 Law Students that graduated from a Texas HS may qualify to be considered Texas Residents under Senate Bill 1528 law. This determination is made by the Office of Admissions, and allows them not only to qualify to pay in-state tuition but also may qualify for State-based Financial Aid. Students that can be considered Texas Residents under this law will need to complete a TASFA application. Income information from parent(s)n and or student will also be needed such as: copies of both their and their parents current year tax return transcript, foreign tax return (if wages were earned in another country) or notarized statement of earnings. The TASFA Toolkit application package will be available at the Financial Aid office beginning early January or online on the UTRGV Financial Aid website at www.utrgv.edu/finaid or various other websites NOTE: Income information is only used in-house to determine financial need. These documents will not be shared with any outside Federal or State agency.

7. FAFSA on the Web Reminders Documents Needed: ◦Parents and student (if applicable) need to have their tax return and W2’s from 2015 year in order to complete the FAFSA. ◦If using information estimated information (from 2014) make sure student selects “will file” option and advice them that we will select them for verification. ◦Other: Additional Financial Information and Untaxed Income information

8. Dependency The 13 questions the U.S. Dept. of Education uses to determine FAFSA dependency are as follows: Were you born before January 1, 1993? As of today, are you married? At the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program? Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S Armed Forces for purposed other than training Are you a veteran of the U.S Armed Forces? Do you now have or will have children who will receive more than half their support from you between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017? Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who will receive more than half their support from you between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017? At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship? At any time on or after July 1, 2015, did any of these agencies determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or who was self supporting and at risk of being homeless? ◦High school or school district homeless liaison ◦Director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ◦Director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program *A student that cannot answer yes to at least one of these questions is required to provide parental data

9. Who is considered a parent? For FAFSA purposes parents refers to: Biological parents Adoptive parents Step-parents

10. Who is NOT considered a parent? For FAFSA purposes a parent is not: Foster parents Legal guardians Any family member who has not adopted the minor A step-parent that is no longer married to biological parent

11. FAFSA Issues-Tax filing Filing requirements: In order to receive federal aid, individuals must follow IRS regulations and file a tax return when required. FAFSA has built in logic that will give an error when a student or parent enters wages above the tax filing threshold and have not indicated that have filed or will file. If you encounter this you cannot proceed without changing to “will file.” Filing status for tax purposes-Determined by marital status as of the last day of the year (December 31). Single Head of Household Married filing joint return Married filing separate return-Need both tax returns

12. FAFSA Issues-Tax filing  Married taxpayers can usually only file as married filing separately or married filing jointly. Same sex parents are considered married for IRS purposes if married in a state where it is legal.  Exception: a married person can file as Head of Household when a U.S citizen or permanent resident is married to a non-permanent resident spouse and they have dependent children. The non permanent resident spouse cannot file as Head of Household  Married spouses living apart due to temporary absences such as: illness, education, business, vacation, or military service are not considered separated  In the case of unmarried parents living together only one parent can file as Head of Household.  When in doubt use Interactive Tax Assistant www.irs.govwww.irs.gov FAFSA now asks for tax return filing status!

13. FAFSA Marital Statuses FAFSA Marital status are as of the day of FAFSA completion FAFSA Student Marital Statuses Single Separated Married/Remarried Divorced or Widowed FAFSA Parent Marital Statuses Never married Married or remarried Divorced or separated Widowed Unmarried and both parents living together

14. Special Circumstances The information provided on the FAFSA or TASFA doesn’t always reflect accurately the family’s or student’s situation. The family has unusually large medical bills or nursing home expenses that are not covered by insurance The student or a parent has recently lost his or her job. The student has no contact with the parents and thus cannot provide parental information For FAFSA drives: The best thing you can do to help a student who has unusual circumstances is to help them fill out the FAFSA/TASFA as best as possible and inform student about contacting financial aid office of college he/she will be attending.

15. Changes to the 2017-2018 FAFSA Students will be able to submit a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2016, rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. Students and parents will report income information from an earlier tax year (2015 instead of 2016).

16. Benefits of applying by priority deadlines: UTRGV’s March 15 Be part of the initial awarding cycle; Entering Freshmen begin to be awarded March 2016 Meet the state’s priority deadline for state grants and increase opportunity to receive some of the institutional grants which are limited in funding Receive award letter prior to tuition and fee due date If necessary, corrections can be completed before tuition and fee due date Avoid paying additional late registration fees

17. Verification Completing the FAFSA application is only the beginning of the process. Students can then be selected for a process called verification and required to submit additional documents to the financial aid office  If a student is selected, it is important to respond quickly!  Students can be requested to complete institutional forms such as verification worksheets and others  All forms have to be fully completed and signed  UTRGV forms can be found at www.utrgv.edu/finaidwww.utrgv.edu/finaid  Tax return information for verification can only be provided in the form of using the IRS Data Retrieval on the FAFSA or tax return transcripts that can be requested at www.irs.govwww.irs.gov  If a student and/or parent gets errors in the IRS Data retrieval or requesting a tax transcript because the information does not match what they have on file, they need to contact the IRS to check what information is discrepant.

18. Types of Financial Aid Grants (need based):  Pell Grant – income sensitive / enrollment status 2015-2016 amount is $5775  FSEOG- income sensitive / student must be Pell eligible of highest need, minimum half time enrollment status 2015-2016 amount is $1000  TPEG – income sensitive / priority deadline sensitive/ amounts can range from $100 to $2,000  TX Grant – income sensitive, priority deadline sensitive, plus academic requirements, must enroll at least ¾ time. UTRGV awards up to $5000 per year (fall/spring only)  UTRGV Achieve-income sensitive, priority deadline sensitive and academic requirements  Summer Boost-need based grant to help students in the summer. Work-Study:  Money earned from a part-time job on or off campus Loans:  Stafford loans – Subsidized or Unsubsidized Scholarships: The UTRGV Scholarship Application for the 2016-2017 year is already available at www.utrgv.edu/scholarshipswww.utrgv.edu/scholarships

19. Texas Grant Current Basic Student Eligibility Requirements for Initial Awards  completed the Foundation, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement high school program (or the equivalent)  Classification as a resident of Texas.  Registration with Selective Service, or exemption.  No felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance.  Demonstration of financial need (EFC cap) 5088 for 2015-2016 year.  Enrollment at least ¾-time as:  An entering undergraduate within 16 months of HS graduation, or  A continuing student who has acquired an Associate’s Degree and enrolls at an eligible institution within 12 months.

20. Texas Grant Additional Academic Requirements for Priority Consideration  Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, in addition to the basic eligibility requirements, students must meet requirements in at least 2 of the following 4 areas for priority consideration: AreaRequirement(s) Advanced Academic Program 12 hours of college credit (dual credit or AP courses), complete the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), or complete the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). TSI ReadinessMeet the Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) assessment thresholds or qualify for an exemption. Class StandingGraduate in the top one/third of the HS graduating class or have a B average. Advanced MathComplete at least one math course beyond Algebra II.

21. Stafford Loans at UTRGV Entering Freshman that are not offered loans must attend a mandatory Freshmen Loan Counseling Session before they can get awarded loans. Entering Freshman that are not offered loans must attend a mandatory Freshmen Loan Counseling Session before they can get awarded loans. Students must already have their Financial Aid application on file at UTRGV. Students may sign up for this session at www.utrgv.edu/finaid, under Request Additional Aid section. Students must already have their Financial Aid application on file at UTRGV. Students may sign up for this session at www.utrgv.edu/finaid, under Request Additional Aid section. www.utrgv.edu/finaid Additionally, please be advised that all first time loan borrowers will receive their funds until 30 days after their first class day of the specified term/loan period. Additionally, please be advised that all first time loan borrowers will receive their funds until 30 days after their first class day of the specified term/loan period.

22. UTRGV Achieve Program The UTRGV Achieve Program will cover a gap in tuition and fee expenses and $500 of book expenses per semester for the regular academic year (fall and spring) that is not being covered by other forms of gift aid (grants or scholarships), including Federal, State, private, and institutional aid.

23. UTRGV Achieve Program Have a family income of $45,000 or less and demonstrate financial need as reported on the FAFSA. Be classified as a Texas Resident Be enrolled for 15 hours or more per semester Be enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree-seeking program towards a first Bachelors’ degree. Entering Freshman with an ACT composite of 19, SAT composite of 900 or be in the top 10% of graduating class Returning students must be meeting the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements and have a minimum 2.5 GPA New Transfer student must have a 2.5 transfer GPA. Priority will be given to students that have filed the FAFSA or TASFA for the upcoming academic year by March 15th

24. Summer Boost This program is designed to help students decrease time to graduation by encouraging summer enrollment. Students that meet the eligibility requirements can receive $500 for enrolling in 1 class and $1,000 for enrolling in 2 classes.

25. Summer Boost Have successfully completed 24 hours during regular academic year (fall and spring) Student must be in a degree seeking program towards a first Bachelor’s degree Must demonstrate financial need as per FAFSA information Complete summer financial aid application (summer notification at www.utrgv.edu/finaid beginning January 2nd)www.utrgv.edu/finaid Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements Have a 2.0 GPA

26. Resources FAFSA completion resources FAFSA Demo site : http://fafsademo.test.ed.gov username eddemo and password fafsatest. 2016-2017 Application will be available on December 27http://fafsademo.test.ed.gov Completing the FAFSA PDF https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/2015-16- completing-fafsa.pdf https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/2015-16- completing-fafsa.pdf FSA resources for counselors: www.financialaidtoolkit.ed.govwww.financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov State: www.collegeforalltexans.comwww.collegeforalltexans.com UTRGV www.utrgv.edu/finaid www.utrgv.edu/askrio www.utrgv.edu/scholarships To request a presentation, informational table or assistance for a FAFSA or TASFA drive please go to www.utrgv.edu/recruitmentrequest www.utrgv.edu/recruitmentrequest

27. UTRGV Financial Aid Counselor Updates We will be hosting a Financial Aid Counselor Update on the second week of January. Same content will be presented on two different dates, one in Edinburg and one in Brownsville More detailed information will be covered Stay tuned for registration link coming soon!

28. Thank you Contact information for financial aid office 888-882-4026 www.utrgv.edu/finaid www.askrio.utrgv.edu Jael Garcia 956-665-2958 Jael.Garcia@utrgv.edu