1. Ways To Fund Your Future
Financial Aid Night 2017
Ways To Fund Your Future

2. TONIGHT’S GOAL
By the end of the evening parents and students should have information that will allow them to apply for financial aid and knowledge as to the various federal, state and local programs that are available.

3. Where To Find Student Financial Aid
Federal Government
State Government
College or Career School
Non-Profit or Private Organizations

4. Federal Government Aid
Filling Out The FAFSA generates eligibility for:
Grants
Loans
Work Study
Parents can apply for PLUS Loans

5. FAFSA
FAFSA is an acronym that stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.” It is the basic form that must be filled out for all students who wish to participate in Federal student aid programs. Use fafsa.ed.gov Do Not Use fafsa.com as this site will charge you for filing the FAFSA The FAFSA is available to be filled out starting on October 1, 2017

6. FAFSA-What You Need To Know To Get Started
Federal law requires the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that students can apply for federal aid without paying a fee. To be considered for most federal student aid programs, the student must submit a complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
After the form is initially filed, it must be renewed for each school year.
The form can be filed starting October 1st and will be accepted until June 30th. The deadline for Florida schools is May 15th. Most public schools give aid first to those that have the FAFSA filed by their priority deadline (check with your school. Changes can be made until September 20th.
The form can be filed online, downloaded as a PDF (which has to be mailed) or in paper form. The online form has major time advantages.
Financial information can be sent to ten different schools with the online form.

7. What information do I need when I fill out the FAFSA?
Social Security Card
Driver’s license (if any)
Permanent Resident Receipt Car (if applicable)
W-2 forms and other 2016 records of money earned
2016 income tax return (see the instruction on the FAFSA if the tax return has not been completed)
Records of child support paid
Records of taxable earning from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work program.
Records of student grant, scholarship and fellowship aid, including AmeriCorps awards, that was included in your (or Your parents’) AGI
Current stock, bond, and other investments
Current business and farm records
Current bank records.
Your FSA ID

8. CREATING YOUR FSA ID
Students and eligible parents should establish an FSA ID for ease of submission and signatures for the FAFSA
Recommend setting up FSA ID at the end of junior year/summer prior to senior year.
Parents and students should write down and retain all information used to set up FSA ID username, passwords, addresses, security questions and answers.
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 nsld.ed.gov, StudentLoans.gov, StudentAid.gov and Agreement to Serve (ATS) at teachats.ed.gov
Create FSA ID at
Both the student and the parent need a separate username name, password and address

9. Tips For Filling Out The FAFSA
Fill out and finalize the FAFSA as soon as possible. If scholarships are received before you file, they count against the FAFSA.
Ensure that the FAFSA is filled out correctly. A FAFSA that is filled out incorrectly will be rejected faster than for any other reason. If you are unsure, put down a zero and do not leave blank. Download the FAFSA On the Web worksheet and fill out first.
Ensure that the IRS Retrieval tool is used when filling in tax data. Failure to use the tool greatly increases the chance of the school auditing your FAFSA.
Several weeks after filing your FAFSA request a tax transcript from the IRS at to have on hand if you are audited.

10. Are You An Independent on the FAFSA?
Were you born before Jan ?
As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., graduate certificate, etc.)?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? )If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)
Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2017?

11. Are You An Independent on the FAFSA?
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2019
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?
Has it been determined by a court in your state of legal residence that you are an emancipated minor or that you are in a legal guardianship?
At any time on or after July1, 2017 ere you determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, as determined by (a) your high school or district homeless liaison or (b) the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
At any time on or after July 1, 2017, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

12. What Happens After I File The FAFSA?
After you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR).
If there is a valid address on file for you, you will be sent an within 3 to 5 days, with instruction on how to access on online copy of your SAR.
If there is not a valid on file, your SAR will be mailed to you via postal mail within 7 to 10 days.
The colleges that you listed on your FAFSA will have access to your information electronically one day after it is process. However, depending on their own process and workload, they might not retrieve your information immediately.
If your application is complete, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will display on your SAR. If you application is incomplete, your SAR will not include an EFC, but it will display text that specifies any issues that need to be resolved.

13. What Happens After I File The FAFSA?
If your FAFSA is incomplete:
Make corrections to your FAFSA by clicking Login on the home page to log in to FAFSA on the Web. Click Make FAFSA Corrections, enter your FSA ID and add or correct the information that caused your FAFSA to be incomplete. Submit your corrections.
Add or correct information on your paper SAR, sign it, and mail it to the address provided.
If your FAFS is complete:
The EFC that displays on your SAR is calculation based on the information that you reported on your FAFSA.
Your college uses the EFC to determine the amount of federal grants, loans and work-study for which you may be eligible.
Your college will send you a financial aid award letter that details that financial aid you are eligible to receive.
Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive.

14. How Financial Need Is Determined
COA (Cost of Attendance) Minus EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Equals Financial Need

15. William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
Federal Student Loans
William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
U.S. Department of Education is the Lender
Direct Subsidized Loans- must demonstrate financial need.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans- does not have to demonstrate financial need.
Direct Plus Loans- loans to graduate students and parents of undergraduates.
Direct Consolidation Loan- combine all eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer.
Federal Perkins Loans
The University or College is the Lender
Reserved for students with exceptional financial need.

16. How Much Can I Borrow?
Perkins Loans: up to $5,500 per year depending on financial need, amount of other aid you receive and availability of funds at the school.
Direct Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized): between $5,500 and $12,500 depending on certain factors, including your year in college.
Parent Plus Loan: the remainder of your child’s costs not covered by other financial aid. A credit check is required for a PLUS loan.

17. Federal Grant Programs for Students
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree; in some cases, however students enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Federal Pell Grant.
Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent.
Award Amount: (2017) Up to $5,920
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority.
Not all colleges participate in the FSEOG program
Funds depend on availability at the college.
Award Amount: (2017) Up to $4,000

18. Federal Grant Programs for Students
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH Grant)
For undergraduate, post baccalaureate, or graduate student who are or will be taking coursework necessary to become elementary or secondary teacher.
Must agree to serve, for a minimum of four years (within eight years of completing academic program), as a full time teacher in a high need field in a school or educational service agency that serves low income students.
Must attend a participation college and meet certain academic achievement requirements.
Failure to complete the teaching service commitment will result in the grant being converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid.
Award Amount: (2017) $3,736

19. Federal Grant Programs for Students
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
For students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.
Must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell funds.
Must have been less than 24 years old or enrolled at least part time at an institution of higher education at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.
Award Amount: (2017) $5,413

20. State Government Student Aid
Scholarships
Grants

21. Bright Futures Scholarship Initial Eligibility Requirements for Year 2018 and Beyond High School Graduates
Type of Scholarship
18 High School Course Credits
High School Weighted GPA
College Entrance Exams
(ACT/SAT)
Service Hours
Florida Academic Scholar (FAS)
4-English (three must include substantial writing)
4- Math (at or above Algebra 1 level)
3-Natural Science (two must have substantial labs)
3.50
29/1290
100 Hours
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
3-Social Science
2-World Language (sequential, in same language)
3.00
26/1170
75 Hours

22. Bright Futures Scholarship Initial Eligibility Requirements for Year 2018 and Beyond High School Graduates
Gold Seal Vocational Scholar
Achieve the required weighted minimum 3.0 GPA in non- elective high school courses.
Take at least 3 full credits in a single Career and Technical Education program.
Achieve the required 3.5 unweighted GPA in the career education courses.
Complete 30 service hours
Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT, SAT, or the Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) exams (see Table on the next page).

23. Bright Futures Scholarship Initial Eligibility Requirements for Year 2018 and Beyond High School Graduates
Exam Type
Sub-Test
Required Score
English 19
ACT
Reading 17
Math
SAT
Critical Reading
440
106
P.E.R.T.
Writing
103
114

24. Bright Futures Scholarship Award Amounts
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
100% Tuition and Applicable Fees:
Applicable fees include: activity and service fees, health fee, athletic fee, campus access/transportation fee, technology fee and tuition differential fee. In addition students will receive $300 for fall and spring semester to help cover textbooks and other education expenses.
Funded for summer semester ($300 additional funds not available for the summer term).

25. Bright Futures Scholarship Award Amounts
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
Credit Hour Award (Semester)
Credit Hour Award (Quarter)
Clock Hour Award
4 year
$77
$51
2 year
$63
$42
$2.10
Florida Public Colleges (Baccalaureate Programs)
$53
Career/ Technical Centers
$39
$26
$1.30
Gold Seal Vocation Scholars (GSV)
Career Certificate Program (PSAV)
Applied Technology Diploma Program (ATD)
Technical Degree Education Program (AS,AAS,CCC)
$48
$32
$1.60

26. Other State of Florida Scholarship Programs
Benacquisto Scholarship Program: a merit scholarship for high school graduates who receive recognition as a National Merit Scholar.
Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship: provides financial assistance to undergraduate students wo meet scholastic requirements, demonstrate financial need, and attend Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University or Florida Memorial University. Each participating institution determines application procedures, deadline and student eligibility.

27. Other State of Florida Scholarship Programs
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship: a collaborative performance based scholarship program for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American and Native American students administered by the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers.
Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans: an award to dependent children or unmarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans.
Rosewood Family Scholarship: financial assistance for students that prove they are direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by the historical incidents of January 1923.

28. State of Florida Student Grant Programs
Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant: provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs at eligible private Florida colleges or universities.
First Generation Matching Grant: need based grant program available to degree seeking, resident, undergraduate student who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled in eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Eligible student has a parent(s) who has not earned a baccalaureate or higher degree.
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG): provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, non- profit Florida college or university.

29. State of Florida Student Grant Programs
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG): need based grant program available to degree seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled in participating postsecondary institutions.
Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant: need-based merit scholarship that provides financial assistance to eligible students of Hispanic origin who will attend Florida public or eligible private institutions.
Florida Work Experience Program: need-based program providing eligible Florida students work experiences to complement and reinforce their educational and career goals.

30. Non Profit, Private Organization and Other Sources of Student Financial Aid
Many employers have scholarship programs designed for employees and the children of employees.
Service organizations are a good source for scholarships.
College have scholarships available beyond initial aid offers.
There are several websites that contain a good listing of scholarships and help to match student a to the appropriate scholarship. (
Local scholarships at the high school that are awarded Honors Night.
Going to college while in the military.

31. Local Scholarships
Application Deadline for local scholarships is March 13, 2018 unless otherwise noted.
NSBHS Standard Application and Special Applications will be available on: October 1, 2017
nsbhigh.com/scholarships-2016

32. Helpful Financial Aid Websites
fafsa.ed.gov: FAFSA site
studentaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm : FAFSA ID to sign FAFSA
–Transcript: IRS transcript if audited

33. Helpful Financial Aid Websites
Studentaid.ed.gov/sa/: federal government information site for financial aid
Floridastudentfinacialaid.com: Florida student financial aid site
Floridashines.org: site to track Bright Futures eligibility
Scholarships.com: scholarship database that matches students with scholarships.

34. College Information and Testing Sites
College Navigator: nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
College Search: bigfuture.collegeboard.org
College Information: floridashines.org
ACT Testing: actstudent.org
SAT Testing: collegeboard.org
SAT Prep:

35. Important Dates
Oct 1st- First day that FAFSA for is available.
May 17th- Honors Night, 6:00 PM
May 30th – Graduation Rehearsal, 12:30 PM
June 2nd – Graduation, 4:00 PM