1. Presented by UCCS Financial Aid

2. All information in this presentation is general and although we would urge you to consider UCCS, the information should be applicable at any school you are considering.

3. -Agenda / Packet
-Introduction
-Questions
-Prizes

4. Types of Aid Gift Aid Self Help Aid Grants Scholarships Loans
Student Employment

5. Grants and Scholarships
Gift Aid
Grants and Scholarships

6. Free money that you don’t pay back!!!
Grants
Need Based Aid
Types:
Federal: Pell, ACG, SMART, TEACH, FSEOG
State: CSG, CRG, CGG, CLEAP
Institutional: UCCS Tuition Grant
Free money that you don’t pay back!!!

7. Scholarships Private Money Awarded for a variety of criteria-
Merit (academics, talents/abilities, etc.)
Need (diversity, financial need, chosen field, etc.)
Places to look:
High School Counselor (Booster Club, PTA, etc.)
Surrounding Community (Elks Club, local businesses, etc.)
On the Internet:
The College/University you plan on attending

8. Never Pay for FAFSA or Scholarship Completion

9. Loans and Student Employment
Self-Help Aid
Loans and Student Employment

10. Loans Student Loans Parent PLUS Loans (fixed 8.5%) Perkins (fixed 5%)
There are loan forgiveness programs available for students who graduate from such programs as nursing or education .
Student Loans
Perkins (fixed 5%)
Subsidized Stafford (fixed 6%)
Unsubsidized Stafford (fixed 6.8%)
Parent PLUS Loans (fixed 8.5%)

11. Loans Yearly Loan Limits Dependent Independent Freshmen $3,500 sub
$2,000 unsub
$6,000 unsub
Sophomores
$4,500 sub
Juniors/Seniors
$5,500 sub
$7,000 unsub
Graduate Students
n/a
$8,500 sub
$12,000 unsub
Lifetime Limits
Dependent Undergraduates
$31,000 ($23,000 sub)
Independent Undergraduates
$57,500 ($23,000 sub)
Graduate Students
$138,500 ($65,500 sub)

12. Student Employment
We discussed three types of student loans. Name one of them.
Need Based Work Study
Non-Need Based Work Study
On Campus Hourly Employment
Off Campus Hourly Employment
Important- You will need your social security card to be hired as most schools require it.
Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS

13. Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid

14. FAFSA
Determines eligibility for need-based aid
Apply for a PIN at (needed by both student and a parent)
Collect the documents needed to apply
Complete the FAFSA in time for your school’s Priority Date. The newest form is available every January 1st!
Review your SAR, and, if necessary, contact your Financial Aid office to make corrections.
Make sure to complete your Financial Aid File, this may require you to turn in copies of taxes and other paperwork.

15. FAFSA4Caster Estimate your Financial Aid eligibility
Learn how to fill out FAFSA
Get an early start on Financial Aid process
Estimate your Financial Aid eligibility
Increase your knowledge about Financial Aid
So help make your future forecast a bright one by planning now for college!

16. Eligibility for Need Based Aid
College Cost of Attendance “Budget”
- (minus)
Expected Family Contribution “EFC” =
NEED

17. Need Examples $16,828 budget - $2,500 EFC $14,328 Need
*** Examples are from Award Year, Resident Student with Off Campus Budget. Numbers are reflected after COF has been applied. ***

18. Special Circumstances
Also known as Professional Judgments
Unemployment
Disability
Death or Illness in the family
*** What qualifies as special circumstances is determined by the school that you are going to attend. All schools are different. ***
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid

19. More information to know
File Cabinet
More information to know

20. Award Letters will list costs in one of two ways:2 1
Indirect Costs:
Everything in Direct Costs, plus:
Travel, Miscellaneous, Room & Board if not living in dorms
Direct Costs:
Tuition, Books, Fees, Room & Board if living in dorms

21. The UCCS Promise
The UCCS Promise helps eligible low income families who are Colorado residents meet the cost of tuition, books and fees. Students must meet priority date and enroll full-time to be eligible for the UCCS Promise.
Must:
~Meet Priority Date (FAFSA & admitted)
~ Be full-time
~Be a first-time Freshmen or transfer from a Colorado community college
~And, have a family income at or below 150% of the federally-established poverty level

22. The affordable way to go out of state!
WUE
Western Undergraduate Exchange Program
Provides reduced tuition to students’ who have residency in contract states.
In all cases, WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition.
Apply for admission and WUE tuition status directly to the institution(s) of your choice. Contact your school’s Admissions & Records office to find out how to apply.
For a list of states that participate visit
The affordable way to go out of state!

23. Profile
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is required by many private colleges and universities to determine eligibility for institutional aid.
-PROFILE can be submitted in the fall
-PROFILE has questions that are specific to your school or program
-PROFILE determines your financial need differently than the FAFSA, taking into account information like if your family owns their own home.
-PROFILE costs $9 plus $16 for each school or scholarship program you want your information sent to
To complete a PROFILE Application go to

24. College Opportunity Fund
COF, Stipend, Voucher
What is the voucher program?
When did the voucher program begin?
Who is eligible?
Do I need to apply for the voucher program?
What happens if I don’t apply for the voucher program?
Where should I go to register and for more information?
College Opportunity Fund

25. El Paso County Loan Forgiveness Program
The College Invest Graduation Reward Program is a groundbreaking partnership between the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County and College Invest, Colorado’s not-for-profit higher education financing resource.

26. College Goal Sunday What: Why: When: Where:
A one-day event to help students and families complete the FAFSA
If you are even thinking about education beyond high school, you will most likely need financial help.
Sunday, February 8th from 2pm-4pm
Pikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus S. Academy Boulevard 
Why:
When:
Where:

27. When in doubt, refer to the instructions!
Newest versions available after January 1st.

28. Green=
Student Information

29. Green=
Student Information

30. Purple = Parent Information
Haven’t filed taxes yet? That’s okay,
you can still file FAFSA based on
estimation.
Purple =
Parent Information

31. Purple = Parent Information
Haven’t filed taxes yet? That’s okay,
you can still file FAFSA based on
estimation.
Purple =
Parent Information

32. Green= Student Information
Haven’t filed taxes yet? That’s okay,
you can still file FAFSA based on
estimation.
Green=
Student Information

33. Up to 10 different schools can receive your Student Aid Report.
Green=
Student Information

34. Transfer information from these worksheets to the FAFSA
Don’t forget to include military BAH and BAS!

35. Top 10 Financial Aid Tips
1. Everyone should apply, regardless of family income.
2. Deadlines matter. Turn everything in on time!
3. Not every school is the same!
4. Understand your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
5. Understand your Cost of Attendance (COA)
6. Eligibility and need are not always the same
7. Know the difference between need based and merit based aid.
8. There are many forms of aid!
9. Award letters may vary from year to year.
10. All award letters can be appealed.

36. Good luck with your college endeavors and let us know how we can help!

37. Financial Aid Contacts
Phone: (719) or UCCS x3460
Internet:
Or stop in: Cragmor Hall; Second Floor
Operating Hours:
Mon.: 8am to 7pm
Tues.-Fri.: 8am to 5pm

38. Resources FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov PIN: www.pin.ed.gov
College Opportunity Fund:
El Paso County Loan Forgiveness Program:
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE):
National Student Loan Database System: