1. YOUR JOURNEY TO COLLEGE BEGINS WITH US
HOW TO
PAY FOR COLLEGE
General Notes:
Introduce yourself – if not already done
Explain that EQF is a nonprofit organization that helps with college planning and financial aid
Provide a quick overview of the CP Handbook – point out the Getting Started, Finding a College, and Nebraska Colleges sections – focus will be on the Paying for College section
YOUR JOURNEY TO COLLEGE BEGINS WITH US

2. 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 5 things you need to know 1.
How much college will cost Types of financial aid FAFSA - your application for financial aid How colleges award financial aid Where to get free help 2. 3. 4. 5.

3. How much WILL COLLEGE COST? 5 things you need to know
Cost of Education includes:
Tuition and fees
Books and supplies
Room and board
Personal and transportation
See pages 5-6 for current costs at all Nebraska colleges.
Handbook - page 5 - 6

4. 4 ways to PAY FOR COLLEGE Scholarships Work-Study* Grants* Loans*
Use this slide if video won’t work
*Based on FAFSA results
Handbook - page 8

5. Don’t EVER pay for scholarship services!
SCHOLARSHIP resources
School counselor
Your college
ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org
Private organizations
Free internet sites
Discuss scholarship warning on this slide.
Don’t EVER pay for scholarship services!
Handbook - page 7

6. First- generation student
Common scholarship CRITERIA
GPA
Financial Need
Ethnicity
ACT/SAT score
Field of study
First- generation student
Talents
Community Service
Employer
Leadership
College choice
Activities
Military service
Disability
State of residence
Gender

7. Susan Thompson Buffett SCHOLARSHIP
Up to $5,000 per semester
AMOUNT
Financial need (EFC < $10,000)
2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale
Attend a public 2- or 4-year college in Nebraska
ELIGIBILITY
IMPORTANT DATES
November 1: Application opens (online)
February 1: Application deadline (5 p.m. CT)
BuffettScholarships.org

8. Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship

9. EducationQuest SCHOLARSHIPS
Financial Aid Program Scholarship
Get details at a Financial Aid Program
Six $500 scholarships awarded
Scavenger Hunt Scholarship
Complete a ScholarshipQuest profile to find details
Two $500 scholarships awarded
Get Social Scholarship
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Enter to win a $500 scholarship each time we hit another 500 followers
At an FAP, refer them to the FAP Scholarship handout
For other two scholarships, refer to website for details.

10. GRANTS Federal Based on financial need; you don’t repay them State
Pell Grant ($652-$6,095)
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
State
Nebraska State Opportunity Grant
College-based
Handbook - page 8

11. Tuition Assistance Programs

12. WORK-STUDY Based on financial need Part-time job, typically on campus
Earn as you work
Handbook - page 8

13. DIRECT LOAN for students
How much can you borrow?
1st year - $5,500
2nd year - $6,500
3rd year - $7,500
4th year - $7,500
Interest rate?
5.045% (changes annually)
Refer to the loan chart on page 10.
Interest rate is for undergrad.
Who pays the interest?
Subsidized – Government pays while you’re in school
Unsubsidized – You pay
Handbook - page 10

14. DIRECT PLUS LOAN for parents
How much can you borrow?
Determined by the college
When does repayment begin?
60 days after loan is disbursed
What’s the interest rate?
7.595% (changes annually)
Refer to the loan chart of page 10.
Handbook - page 10

15. Handbook - page 10

16. The FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid

17. WHO completes the FAFSA?
Dependent students and their parents
Which parents do you include?
Married - both
Divorced or separated - custodial parent where student lives the most
Divorced w/ equal custody - parent who provides the most financial support
Remarried - custodial parent & step-parent
Unmarried legal parents living together - both
See bottom of page 10 for criteria that would make a student independent.

18. WHO completes the FAFSA?
Independent students
High school students who meet any of this criteria:
Orphan/ward of the court or in foster care
In a legal guardianship
Homeless
Self-supporting a child
See bottom of page 10 for criteria that would make a student independent.

19. Create an FSA ID fsaid.ed.gov Electronic signatures for the FAFSA
student and parent both need one!
Username and password
Save it, remember it!
Yes, Dad…we BOTH need an FSA ID.
FSA ID
Don’t forget it!
Handbook - page 7

20. Complete the 2019-20 FAFSA fafsa.gov Apply on or after October 1
Renew each year
Use 2017 tax information
Include assets
Exclude home value & retirement accounts
Assets include
Checking
Savings
Stocks and Bonds
CDs and Mutual Funds
Rental property
2nd residence
College Savings Plan
Handbook - page 8

21. Expect a STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR)
Sent via link
Confirms your FAFSA was processed
Provides Expected Family Contribution
Lets you know if you were selected for verification - or if further action is required
Handbook - page 8

22. Be prepared for VERIFICATION
If selected, the college(s) will request documentation of your FAFSA info
Watch your student portal, , and mail!
The college(s) will NOT award financial aid until you submit required documents!
Handbook - page 8

23. How colleges award financial aid
Cost of Education
Tuition & Fees
Books & Supplies
Room & Board
Personal & Transportation
Expected Family Contribution
(FAFSA Results)
Factors include:
Parent Income/Assets
Student Income/Assets
Parents’ Age
Number in Household
Number in College
Financial Need
Amount the college will try to award you in financial aid.
Handbook - page 9

24. Impact of your EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC)
Higher
EFC
Less Financial Need =

25. Financial aid PROCESS FSA ID & FAFSA Processor SAR College Student
This is how the
financial aid
process works:
FSA ID & FAFSA
Processor
SAR
College
Student
Verification
Award Letter

26. Sample AWARD LETTER 4-year PUBLIC college Criteria: 25 ACT 3.75 GPA
Top ¼ class rank
$10,800 EFC
Tuition & Fees: $ 7,800
Books & Supplies: $ 1,100
Room & Board: $ 9,500
Personal & Transportation: $ 3,500
Fall
Spring
Total
Accept
Decline
Scholarships:
Institutional
$1,500
$3,000
______
_____
Grants:
$650
$1,300
Work-Study:
$1,250
$2,500
Loans:
Direct Subsidized Loan
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$1,750
$1,000
$3,500
$2,000
Total Aid: $12,300
Unmet Need: $ 9,600
Total Cost: $21,900
Show Pell-eligible award letter from public college

27. Sample AWARD LETTER 4-year PRIVATE college Criteria: 25 ACT 3.75 GPA
Top ¼ class rank
$10,800 EFC
Tuition & Fees: $ 31,000
Books & Supplies: $ 1,100
Room & Board: $ 9,500
Personal & Transportation: $ 3,500
Total Cost: $45,100
Fall
Spring
Total
Accept
Decline
Scholarship:
Academic
Special Program/Major
$7,000
$500
$14,000
$1,000
______
College Grant:
Campus Visit Grant
College Grant
$2,000
$4,000
_______
Loans:
Direct Subsidized Loan
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
$1,750
$3,500
Total Aid: $25,500
Unmet Need: $19,600
Show Pell-eligible award letter from public college

28. Get FREE help from EducationQuest
Visit us in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney & Scottsbluff
Sign up for Countdown2College s
Follow us!

29. EducationQuest.org Activities Resume College Funding Estimator
College Planning Timeline
College Profiles
FAFSA Tools
Reality Check
ScholarshipQuest
Spanish Resources
Blog
Upcoming Events

30. Questions?

31. What assets must you include?
Checking
Savings
Stocks
Bonds
CDs
Mutual Funds
Rental Property
2nd Residence
College Savings Plans

32. INCOME impact on EFC – family of 4
Family A
Family B
Family C
Income
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
EFC
$3,120
$18,611
$33,498
Assets

33. ASSET impact on EFC – family of 4
Family A
Family B
Family C
Income
$50,000 $0
$75,000
$100,000
EFC
$2,251
$3,798
$4,551
Assets

34. What if you own a BUSINESS?
EXCLUDE value if you:
own 50% or more
Have less than 100 employees
Actively participate in operation of the business

35. What if you own a FARM? EXCLUDE value if: INCLUDE value if:
You live on and operate the farm
It’s your main source of income
INCLUDE value if:
You receive rent for farm ground or pasture
You’re a member of family farm partnership or corporation
You do not participate in running the farm

36. FINANCIAL AVENUE Learn money management skills
Financial literacy tool from Inceptia
Free for Nebraska students
FinancialAvenue.org
Access code: pr3kqu

37. How to MANAGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT
Make sure your college is a good fit
Compare estimated starting salary to estimated loan payment
Borrow only what you need
Work part-time during college
See page 11 for estimated loan payments.
Track your loan debt at nslds.ed.gov

38. We’re your friend in college planning!

39. 4 WAYS to PAY FOR COLLEGE