1. Paying for College!
This resource was developed by the Puget Sound College and Career Network (PSCCN) and is included in the PSCCN Financial Aid Toolkit. Visit psccn.org for additional materials. For toolkit suggestions, complete a short survey at bit.ly/PSCCNtoolkit
Revised
Introduce yourself with a warm welcome and thank you to the audience for coming. Consider sharing your personal connection to this work and highlight the importance of engaging families in the process.

2. By the end of this presentation, I will be able to…
Understand what financial aid is and how the financial aid process works
Determine if you need to complete the FAFSA or the WASFA
Understand the different types of aid, including scholarships
Complete and submit the FAFSA or WASFA or create an FSA ID
Today we’ll go over some details and then complete FAFSA or WASFA.
Remove “opportunity to complete FAFSA or WASFA” if speaking with junior parents.

3. Agenda Opening Financial Aid Process Financial Aid Myths Scholarships
Getting It Done!

4. How do you think your student might answer the question below:
Imagine you’re graduating from high school… what is next? What are you excited about?
Ask parents to reflect on how they picture their student after graduation. A few ways to do this:
1.Parents can reflect in silence.
2 THIS WAS CONFUSING — see note in facilitator document and paste here once that’s fixed
3. If the group knows each other, it might work to have them share their response with a partner.
4. Consider a brief sharing out loud (or read what’s on the paper — if you do this, let them know about it before they write).
5. Ask them: How would your student answer this question?

5. What is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Work-Study
Money for college! You APPLY with the FAFSA or WASFA
Colleges use FAFSA/WASFA to determine what you’re eligible for.
Information is only sent to Department of Ed (FAFSA) and Washington Student Achievement Council (WASFA) and to the colleges you request it be sent to (both FAFSA and WASFA)
Information includes legal name (student and parents), date of birth, Social Security number or Alien ID# (FAFSA only), income information for student and parents
NOTE: Slide courtesy of Summer Search!
Scholarships: Free money that students do not have to pay for, but will “apply for” separately to be considered or through their college application
Grants: Free money given by an organization, state and/ or federal government that students do not have to pay back if eligible
Loans: Money borrowed for college that is expected to be paid back with interest after graduation. (more scholarships= less or no loans) / Do you want to mention what a Parent Plus Loan is? If you do, at SumS we do not encourage it and work hard with students to apply for as many scholarships as possible and consider working the summer to save.
Work-Study: For FAFSA applicants only, this is a federal college program that enables students to work part time while attending college. (Ex: being a student tour guide for admissions, working in the library at the front desk, working in the dining hall/ cafeteria, etc.) Students get paid as they work like a regular job and can use the money for books or other personal expenses.
When you complete the FAFSA, you are requesting a review of eligibility for all these types of aid with one single application.
Priority filing deadlines are also important. Some of these funds are on a first come/first served basis so it is important to complete your FAFSA every year in January.
The maximum Washington State Need Grant varies depending on which college/university you attend in Washington state. But if you are eligible for the full state need grant and also Pell grant, you could fund, or be close to funding, your total cost of tuition and books with these two grants. That’s a huge chunk of change to lose out on because you didn’t file early.

6. What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to apply for federal financial aid for college. Completing the FAFSA is free and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for technical, 2-year and 4-year colleges. Based on the information you provide on the FAFSA, each college will calculate your financial aid award.
Who completes this form?
U.S. citizens
U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders)
Eligible noncitizens (Refugee, Asylum, Parolee, T- and V-visa holders with unexpired I-94 record)
Refer to College Knowledge material: All about FAFSA, All about WASFA
For students who will file FAFSA, there is an early estimator available online:
FAFSA is for students who are US citizens or permanent residents (even if parents are not). WASFA is for undocumented students (those who are not US citizens or permanent residents).
T-visa – protects victims of human trafficking and allows victims to remain in the United States to assist in an investigation or prosecution of human trafficking.
V-visa – temporary visa available to spouses and minor children (unmarried, under 21) of U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPR, also as green card holders). It allows permanent residents to achieve family unity with their spouses and children while the immigration process takes its course.
It requires contact information, SSN or Alien ID # (FAFSA only), income information.
Tonight, we’ll be working on FSA ID (junior parents, seniors and parents can also start working on FAFSA or WASFA).
Submit!
Timeline varies, but you need your award letter before you can make a decision about which aid to accept and which school to attend.
Apply for FAFSA here:
Create an FSA ID here:

8. What is the WASFA?
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is the application that undocumented students who live in Washington state can fill out annually to determine their eligibility for state financial aid.
Who completes this form?
Undocumented students
Students approved for DACA
If you’re not sure which application to do, the WASFA application has an eligibility questionnaire to help you figure it out!
Refer to Communications Suite: All about WASFA (give to students). Talk through the handout, and let parents know that they will have that information to refer to while going through the process.
Apply for WASFA:

11. When should I apply for FAFSA or WASFA?
Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is limited.
Apply starting October 1 of your senior year! The earlier you apply, the better.
You will need to complete a FAFSA or WASFA every year while in college.

12. What is the FSA ID? (FAFSA only)
Federal Student Aid Identification is used to access all federal student aid websites. Creating an FSA ID is the first step to completing the FAFSA.
Both student and parent need to create separate FSA IDs with individual s.
The FSA ID is a four-digit number that you use to electronically sign your FAFSA.
After applying for FSA IDs, it takes 1-3 days to confirm your identity with SSA and you will not be able to use it until you receive a successful confirmation – check your .
is the website for FSA ID
Note: If the student and/or parent has an Alien ID# instead of a Social Security number, they will not be able to get an FSA ID. This is not a big deal, but they will need to print the signature page on the submit screen and mail it.
Parent who have more than one child attending college can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications.

13. What do I need to bring to complete the FAFSA or WASFA?
Parent should be present, if possible.
Student and parent income information (bank statements, W- 2 or pay stub and a 2016 tax return).
Additional financial information such as child support statements, TANF or welfare information, real estate, investments or family business.
FAFSA only
Student’s Social Security card or Green Card.
One parent’s Social Security number (if they have one).
Have participants look over the College Knowledge material, All about Apprenticeship and share with them key takeaways provided on the slide.

14. What specific personal information do I need to provide
What specific personal information do I need to provide? Why do I need provide all of this personal information? Where does my information go?
What specific personal information o I need to provide? Legal name (student and parents), date of birth, Social Security number or Alien ID# (FAFSA only), income information for student and parents
Why do I need to provide all of this personal info? This is how colleges determine what financial aid you are eligible for.
Where does my information go? Your information will only go to Department of Ed (FAFSA) and Washington Student Achievement Council (WASFA) and to the colleges you request it be sent to (both FAFSA and WASFA)
Refer to College Knowledge materials: All about FAFSA, All about WASFA (give to students)

15. How is financial aid determined?
Each college estimates its COA by adding together some or all of the following expenses: tuition fees, room and board, transportation, books and supplies, other living expenses.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
varies, established by each school
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
determined by FAFSA or WASFA and is same for all schools
= Financial “Need”
EFC is used as a benchmark for eligibility for need-based financial aid based on the information provided on the FAFSA or WASFA.
If students are concerned about the accuracy of their EFC, recommend they talk with the financial aid office at their college of choice to learn about professional judgement and appeal options including those experiencing special circumstances.

16. How is COA used to determine financial aid award?
EXAMPLE
2 Year College
4 Year – Public
4 Year – Private
COA
$11,836
$26,756
$50,258
- EFC
$ 6,500
$ 6,500
$ 6,500
= “Need”
$ 5,336
$ 20,256
$43,758
Slide: WFAA
This is just to illustrate that financial aid is intended to provide students with the choice of schools, regardless of their financial resources – the EFC remains constant, but aid increases as school COA increases.

17. What happens after you apply for FAFSA or WASFA?
Information goes to your colleges.
It’s a great idea to check with your colleges and make sure they have received your FAFSA or WASFA.
Colleges that accept you will send you a letter letting you know what you’ve been awarded. (In a later session, we’ll talk about what to do with the award letter and how to make sure you understand it.)
Once you get your letters from colleges and understand your financial aid offers, let your college of choice know which financial aid you’d like to accept or decline.
Collect the money!
Refer to College Knowledge material: All about FAFSA, All about WASFA (give to students)

18. Financial Aid Myths
I won't qualify for anything. I can't use financial aid for culinary school. Registering for the Selective Service signs me up for the military. The government will share my information with the IRS or ICE.
Before showing the myths, ask parents for to popcorn out (or write on stickie notes and have a partner collect and bring to front) things they have heard about financial aid that might not be true. Alternatively, ask them to brainstorm some ideas about why people might not apply for financial aid. Explain what myths are before debunking the myths on the slide.
I won’t qualify for anything.
While it’s true that need-based grants will only be awarded to students who qualify financially, most colleges require FAFSA for merit aid (which is not based on need). FAFSA is also used to qualify for a federal student loan.
I can’t use financial aid for culinary school.
Most technical programs award financial aid based on FAFSA and WASFA.
Registering for the Selective Service signs me up for the military.
Registering for the Selective Service is required by law for all male students over 18. While this is required to file a FAFSA, it is NOT signing up for the military.
The government will share my information with the IRS or ICE
FERPA law prohibits your information being shared with any government agency or any individual other than the colleges you request. WASFA information is NOT shared outside the state of Washington; this is prohibited by FERPA as well as state law.
Information in financial aid applications is protected by federal law. It is shared only with the colleges students choose, the state financial aid agency and for FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education.
CAUTION HERE (do not read this, this is for facilitator background): There are special circumstances where FAFSA information can be shared with certain government agencies (visit scroll down- see Question #5 and line item K) and FERPA will allow schools to disclose records without consent (visit ) but does not specifically state ICE or IRS. Alternatively this bullet point can say that “the government may share my information with IRS or ICE” – not sure how to state this, but want to be clear about the reality of information/ data sharing. There has never been a case of a student or parents being detained or deported due to an application for financial aid. WASFA is not shared with other entities, as stated on its website: .

19. More Scholarships = Fewer Loans & More Money for College
Scholarships provide money for education expenses based on criteria such as academics, athletics, community service or financial need. Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid.
Look for and apply for scholarships here:
TheWashBoard.org: thewashboard.org
Scholarship Junkies: scholarshipjunkies.org
Beyond Dreaming Scholarship List: scholarshipjunkies.org/beyond
Colleges you’re interested in and local organizations
Some of the largest scholarships for Washington state residents include:
Act Six Scholarship
Governor’s Scholarship
Leadership 1000 Scholarship
Washington Opportunity Scholarship
Refer to College Knowledge material: Scholarships (have students work on scholarships listed here as a starting point, along with the scholarship resources available at your school).
Have students research scholarships they can apply for (from your school’s scholarship list ideally).
When students are offered a scholarship, they will need to read the award letter closely and follow up with additional information requested as well as inform the financial aid department at the college they’ll be attending.

20. How does the financial aid process work?
1) Determine if the student should apply using FAFSA or WASFA. 2) Gather information you have to provide. 3) Get FSA ID (FAFSA only). 4) Submit FAFSA or WASFA. 5) Colleges will receive information and create financial aid award letters for accepted students. 6) You and your student make a decision about which items on the award letter should be accepted or declined — do this only for the college your student will be attending.
Refer to Communications suite one pager: All about FAFSA, All about WASFA
For students who will file FAFSA, there is an early estimator available online:
FAFSA is for students who are US citizens or permanent residents (even if parents are not), WASFA is for undocumented students (those who are not US Citizens or US Permanent residents)
Contact information, SSN or Alien ID # (FAFSA only), income information
Tonight, we’ll be working on FSA ID (junior parents, seniors and parents can also start working on FAFSA or WASFA).
Submit!
Timeline varies, but you need your award letter before you can make a decision about which aid to accept and which college to attend.

21. After completing the FAFSA or WASFA: Selected for Verification
If your student is selected for verification, you will need to provide additional information to ensure the FAFSA or WASFA is correct.
Students will be contacted by the college and will be told what documentation needs to be submitted to the school by a certain date.
Support your child by providing the college with the required documentation promptly to ensure financial aid process is complete.
If the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is used to complete the FAFSA, you will not need to verify that information. If you do not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and are selected for verification, your student will have to submit an IRS tax transcript with the college’s verification form.
Slide for 12th grade families

22. Getting Help
You’re not alone. At OUR SCHOOL, the following people are here to help you navigate the process:
Update slide with name of your school or program, as well as specific individuals and their contact information who can help. Be as specific as possible as to who can help with: FAFSA, WASFA, deciding where to apply, scholarships, reviewing admissions essays, reviewing award letters, making decisions, etc.

23. Next Steps – 11th Grade Families
We will now transition to the computer lab to get started on FSA IDs for those of you who will be filing FAFSA (FSA ID is not necessary for WASFA).
I will be here until TIME EVENT ENDS to answer questions.

24. Next Steps – 12th Grade Families
We will now transition to the computer lab to get started on FAFSA or WASFA. We are here to help you with either one and answer questions. If you are filing the FAFSA, we will also help with getting your FSA ID if you do not already have one.
THIS SLIDE IS FOR SPEAKING TO SENIOR PARENTS! (For underclassmen, they can get FSA IDs, and a parent panel is a great option for junior parents as well).

25. Have on the screen while transitioning to computers for Senior parents