1. Welcome to Ritchie County High School Financial Aid Informational Night
Mrs. Brooke Waugaman-School Counselor
Mrs. Mollie Hinzman- School Counselor Intern

2. How will I pay for my child’s college education??

3. Ritchie County High School
Number of graduates in : 107
Estimated Total Enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education: 54 students / 50.5%

4. Ritchie County High School Number of Seniors: 111
As of September 5, 2014
Ritchie County High School Number of Seniors: 111
Number of students who have filed a FAFSA: 52 / 47%

5. What is the fafsa?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by conducting a “need analysis” based on financial information, such as income, assets and other household information, which you will be asked to provide. The form is submitted to, and processed by, a federal processor contracted by the U.S. Department of Education, and the results are electronically transmitted to the financial aid offices of the schools that you listed on your application.
FAFSA is the application used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.

6. Completing the FAFSA can help you qualify for…
Federal grants
WV grants and scholarships
College financial aid programs 
Private scholarship programs
Low-interest Federal student loans

7. How Do I apply for Financial Aid?
You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st of your senior year in high school. By completing this application you have applied for funds awarded by most federal and state agencies. Applications are processed and results are sent to the colleges you listed on the FAFSA.
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be provided to you to confirm data (two to three weeks after submitting your application). If you file your FAFSA electronically, processing can take seven days.
Your school will then provide you with an award letter outlining types of aid for which you are eligible. Further instructions will be included in the letter.
If the financial aid office has determined that you will need a loan, contact the financial aid administrator regarding the procedures to apply for federal loans.
Apply for other scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible outside of the college or university.

8. February 15, 2015
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Stop by any location, anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.
On average, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the FAFSA.
24 locations throughout West Virginia including WVUP

9. Ritchie County High School FAFSA Workshop
FAFSA Workshop will be held February 5th at 6:00PM at Ritchie County High school.
In order to attend you must register. There will be a link placed on the school website to get you to the registration page.
Once you register there will be an sent to you instructing you of everything you need to bring.

10. The Promise Scholarship
The PROMISE Scholarship is a merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia residents. Students who achieve certain academic goals are eligible to receive funds to help pay for college. Eligible high school graduates will receive annual awards up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at public or independent institutions in West Virginia.

11. The promise scholarship
The maximum award is $4,750
22 ACT Composite with a minimum 20 in each subject area
1020 SAT Combined Score (not including writing) with a minimum score of 490 in
Critical Reading and 480 in Mathematics
3.0 overall and core high school grade point average
Final test dates to establish scholarship eligibility will be June 13 for the ACT and
June 6 for the SAT
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed by
March 1, 2015, at
PROMISE Scholarship application must be completed on-line by March 1, 2015
on the College Foundation of West Virginia website,

12. Higher Education Grant Program
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program designed to ensure West Virginia students with financial need are given an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education. The grant may be renewed until the student's course of study is completed, but may not exceed an additional three academic years beyond the initial award. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and generally may be used in conjunction with other forms of state, federal and institutional financial aid.
The award amount each year varies based on a number of factors including the financial need of applicants and available funding. Maximum annual awards for are $2,600.

13. Higher Education Grant Requirements
A citizen of the United States
West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to date of application
Be a high school graduate or have earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma
Demonstrate an established level of financial need
2.0 cumulative GPA
Enroll at a participating institution in West Virginia or Pennsylvania as a full-time undergraduate student
Have not previously earned a bachelor's degree
Have completed the FAFSA by April 15, 2015

14. Mission West Virginia Scholarship Program
The Mission West Virginia Scholarship Program will provide at least two scholarships this year to help youth who experienced a foster care placement for 12 months OR youth who had a parent incarcerated for 12 months during their childhood.  The scholarship will help pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation or computers.
Applications are due March 1, 2015
Recipients will be notified by April 15, 2015
Financial awards will be distributed by August 1, 2015

15. Federal Grants and Loans
Federal PELL Grant is a need-based grant with a $5,730 maximum for
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on your financial need.
Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. 

17. Begin Planning for your future today
The school counseling office is here to help you plan for your future.
It is never too early to get started!

18. We can do it together!

20. Handouts Do You Need Money for College?
FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
Financial Aid Quick Facts

21. Helpful websites College Goal Sunday Check List:
FAFSA:
Scholarships:
PROMISE:
WV Clearninghouse Info:
Student Aid:
College Foundation of West Virginia: