1. Paying for College

2. Types of Aid Grants, Scholarships, Work-Study, and Educational Loans Grants and Scholarships - Student does NOT pay back Grants are based on financial need Scholarships are based on academic merit OR both merit and financial need Educational Loans – Money that the student MUST pay back Work-study – A campus-wide program that allows students to earn money to pay for school Students must ACCEPT Loan awards in Self-Service Banner, then: Complete Entrance Counseling at: studentloans.gov Master Promissory Note at: studentloans.gov

3. Federal Loans Federal Direct Subsidized Loan No interest while in school Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Accrues interest from the time of first disbursement Plus Loans Credit-based loans parents can apply for to assist an undergraduate student To be eligible to receive grants, work-study, educational loans, and merit/need-based scholarships, Student MUST fill out the FAFSA.  www.fafsa.gov

4. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) www.fafsa.gov FAFSA OPENS: October 1 st, 2016 DEADLINES: March 15 th (State of TX Aid) March 31 st (Federal Aid and Loans)

5. EARLY FAFSA OPENS Oct. 1, 2016 BENEFITS No need to estimate tax info IRS Data Retrieval Tool available immediately Earlier receipt of Expected Family Contribution More time to compare school aid packages

6. Getting Started Create an FSA ID  fsaid.ed.gov What is an FSA ID? An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites including your FAFSA Students AND Parents, keep record of Usernames, Passwords and Challenge question answers!

7. FSA ID Parents who do NOT possess valid SSNs… Will NOT be able to create FSA IDs Will enter 000-00-0000 as their SSNs on the FAFSA Must select “print a signature page” option, print, sign, and then mail the signed page for student’s FAFSA to process

8. FAFSA Checklist  Student’s Social Security Number and alien registration card (if applicable)  Parent(s) Social Security Number(s)  Student’s driver’s license number  2015 tax information for student and parent(s)  Records of 2015 untaxed income, such as child support and veterans noneducation benefits  Information on checking and savings account balances; investments, business and farm assets

9. IRS Data Retrieval Tool USE the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)! The DRT transfers your IRS tax info. directly to the FAFSA It ’ s easy! It ensures accuracy! Lessens chance of being chosen for verification! May not be able to use DRT if… Filed taxes as married filing separately Married and filed taxes as Head of Household Filed an amended tax return The address on the FAFSA is different from the address on your tax return Current marital status is different than it was the previous year Filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return Parent marital status is “unmarried and both parents living together”

10. Submit your FAFSA Use Lamar University Code: 003581. Sign & Submit your FAFSA 3-5 days, receive email confirmation with instructions on accessing your Student Aid Report (SAR) Review SAR for accuracy SAR will indicate if selected for verification EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is reported on your SAR & used to calculate Financial Need. LU receives student FAFSA info. & will send a Notification Letter ALWAYS Check LU Self-Service Banner for next steps

11. How is need determined?

12. What if you are selected for Verification? 1/3 of all LU students who fill out the FAFSA will be chosen for Verification by the government. You are not alone! Student is asked to verify FAFSA accuracy before they can be awarded Financial Aid. Complete verification EARLY! Be sure to complete only the REQUESTED forms. Make sure to answer all questions in full and include required signatures. IRS DRT very important for verification processing.

13. SCHOLARSHIPS Apply online: Lamar.edu/myScholarships Mirabeau and SETX Legends Deadline: January 1 st All other Scholarships Deadline: February 1 st Award notifications sent via LU EMAIL

14. Types of Scholarships MERIT BASED Apply at www.lamar.edu/myscholarships Mirabeau Scholars Program – Full scholarship ~ 20 per year 1300 or greater on M+V, SAT OR 1360 or greater on new SAT Cardinal Elite Scholarship - $32,000 scholarship 1300 or greater on M+V, SAT OR 1360 or greater on new SAT Academic Excellence Scholarship - $16,000 scholarship 1150 or greater on M+V, SAT / Top 25% of Class OR 1220 or greater on new SAT / Top 25% of Class Endowed Scholarships University, College and Departmental

15. Types of Scholarships NEED & MERIT BASED Apply at www.lamar.edu/myscholarships SETX Legends Scholarship Program - Full Scholarship ~ 4 per year 1300 or greater on M+V, SAT OR 1360 or greater on new SAT copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report. Smith-Hutson Scholarship – tuition, fees, on campus room/board & books financial need documentation including requested tax information

16. Timeline August 1 st - Apply for admission to Lamar University at ApplyTexas.org September 15 th – Apply for LU Scholarships. Lamar.edu/myScholarships October 1 st - Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by applying online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.www.fafsa.ed.gov List Lamar University to receive your FASFA, school code 003581 Within 1 week - Student will receive their Student Aid Report (SAR) - important to check for any changes and submit immediately January 1 st – Mirabeau Scholars Program and SETX Legends Scholars Deadline to Apply February 1 st – Scholarship Priority Deadline March 15 th – LU State Aid Deadline March 31 st - LU Priority Deadline for submitting all FAFSA documents (including verification); FA packaged on first come first serve basis. All communications from the Scholarships and Financial Aid office will be sent to your LU Email Account.

17. Location: Wimberly Building, 2 nd Floor Office Hours: M-F, 8am-5pm Phone: 409-880-7011 Emails: financailaid@lamar.edu scholarships@lamar.edu