1. Financial Aid & SCHOLARSHIPS
Presented by: Jazmin Vargas
Financial Aid Specialist

2. SESSION DETAILS What is Financial Aid? Types/Sources of Financial Aid
FAFSA or DREAM
What You’ll Need
Eligibility Requirements
Understanding Financial Need
Special Circumstances
Scholarships

3. WHAT FINANCIAL AID OFFERS?
ACCESS to funds to help pay for:
4 yr. public & Independent Colleges
Community Colleges
Private Career Colleges
CHOICE among schools
Choose the best academic, cultural, & social fit rather than the least expensive program

4. TYPES & SOURCES of AID Gift Aid (Federal, State, Independent)
Grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid
Federal Work-Study (Federal)
Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus
Loans (Federal & Private)
Borrowed money to be paid back

5. WHEN DO YOU FILE?
*MUST RE-APPLY for FINANCIAL AID EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR

6. or Cal DREAM Application
2018 – 2019 FAFSA
or Cal DREAM Application
Available beginning :
October 1, 2017 – June 30, 2019
Priority Deadline:
March 2, 2018

7. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Student Driver’s License (if applicable)
Student Alien Registration Card (if applicable)
Student & Parent:
Social Security cards
2016 W-2s
2016 Federal Tax Returns
Records of Untaxed Income
Asset info

8. WHICH APPLICATION DO I FILE?
FAFSA
DREAM
U.S Citizen or eligible non- citizen
Social Security Card or Alien Registration Card
Eligible for Federal & State funding
Eligible for AB540 status
No Social Security Card/ DACA status – SS card says “For Work Purposes Only”
Eligible for State funding
*DO NOT Fill Out Both Applications

9. FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible non-citizen
H.S. Diploma , GED, or equivalent
Enroll in an eligible program
Register for Selective Service (males ages yo)
No drug convictions

10. FSA ID
Username & Password used to electronically sign FAFSA
Both Student & Parent signature required
Separate addressed needed
Paper signature available
If parents do not have a SSN

11. APPLYING for FAFSA

12. APPLYING for CA DREAM ACT

13. CA DREAM ACT Allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to
Apply for & receive institutional grants
Apply for & receive a BOGFW at the California Community Colleges
Apply for & receive state financial aid, including Cal Grant & Chafee Foster You Grants

14. CAL GRANTS
Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards – for students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need and are attending a 4 year University.
Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards – for students from disadvantaged or low income families with a GPA of at least 2.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need
Cal Grant C Awards - for students from low income families pursuing vocational programs of study

15. THE “SECRET” FORMULA… Cost of Attendance (COA)
- Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = STUDENT’S FINANCIAL NEED
COA varies by school
FAFSA EFC

16. HOW the FORMULA WORKS CC CSU UC Private
Cost $18, $24, $47, $65,700
EFC
Need $ 17,700 $24, $46, $65,200
In the best of all possible worlds, full “need” will be met with a financial aid package made up of grants and scholarships along with reasonable amounts of work and loan. Some schools are not able to meet full need.

17. AWARD TYPES Pell Grant (Up to $5,815 max)
Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOGWF)
State University Grant (SUG)
Cal Grant
Chafee Grant
Middle Class Scholarship
Work-Study Program
Loans (Sub, Unsub, PLUS)

18. WHAT IS THE NET PRICE?

19. HOW to DETERMINE the BEST “OFFER”
Look at “out of pocket” costs (incl. student loans & Parent PLUS Loans)
Make sure institution has the correct Major (course of study)
Make sure the student/parent is comfortable at the campus & surrounding area

20. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Change in dependency?
What if I can’t get my parent’s information?
Contact your Financial Aid Office ASAP to discuss your situation

21. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Change in Income?
What if my parent’s income or household size has changed?
Contact your Financial Aid Office ASAP to discuss your situation

22. SUMMARY of FA PROCESS
Complete FAFSA or DREAM application by March 2nd deadline!
Make sure Cal Grant GPA Verification Form submitted by March 2nd
Review the electronic Student Aid Report (SAR)/Make any corrections
Follow up with each college/submit all requested forms ASAP
Check for Financial Aid Award Notifications
Complete the process EVERY YEAR by March 2nd priority processing deadline to receive the best financial aid award possible
ASK QUESTIONS!

23. TOP REASONS STUDENTS DON’T APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
I don’t know where to look for scholarships
There’s nothing special about me
I’ll never win, so what’s the point?
My parents make too much money
My G.P.A isn’t high enough
I’m not a good writer
I don’t have time

24. TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
College costs a lot more than it used to
It won’t cost you anything, but your time
You will graduate with less debt (or no debt at all!)
You can worry less about having to work
You can focus more on your studies
It’s FREE money!!!

25. SEARCHING for SCHOLARSHIPS
Things to consider:
Your family
Lifestyle
Interests
Hobbies
Medical Status
Religion
College Major
Career Aspirations

26. WHERE TO LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Start with your immediate social network
High School
Parent’s Employer/your Employer
Church or Religious organization
City Organizations
Free Scholarship Search Engines:

27. QUESTIONS???