1. Navigating the Financial Aid Process

2. TOPICS 1.How much does college cost? 2.How and when to apply for financial aid 3.How is financial need determined? 4.Sources and types of financial aid 5.Reviewing award letters 6.SUNY Financial Aid Day

3. How Much Does College Cost? Cost of Attendance (COA) Includes: 1.Tuition and fees 2.Room and board 3.Books and supplies 4.Transportation 5.Miscellaneous personal expenses

4. How Much Does College Cost? 4 Year PRIVATE On-Campus Student Tuition and fees:$27,981 Room and board: 10,523 Books and supplies: 1,116 Transportation: 849 Personal expenses: 1,427 Total Budget: $41,896 Source: College Board: Trends in College Pricing 2009 Middle States Averages.

5. How Much Does SUNY Cost Baccalaureate Degree Program 2010-11? NY State Resident Living On-Campus Tuition and fees: $6,230 Room and board: 10,300 Books and supplies: 1,200 Transportation: 960 Personal expenses: 1,360 Total Budget: $20,050 Source: SUNY Office of Student Financial Aid, System Administration

6. How Much Does SUNY Cost Associate Degree Progam Cost at 2010-11? In District Commuting Tuition and fees: $4,040 Room and board: 3,240 Books and supplies: 1,210 Transportation: 1,590 Personal expenses: 1,120 Total Budget: $11,200 Source: SUNY Office of Student Financial Aid, System Administration

7. How Much Does SUNY Cost? The Bill: Typical First Semester Direct Charges New York State resident baccalaureate degree student living on campus for 2010 -11: Tuition $2,485 ($4,970) Fees 630 Room & Board 5,150 Total Direct Charges $8,265

8. How to Apply for Aid 1.Collect information 2.Request a federal PIN: www.pin.ed.gov 3.Complete FAFSA online: www.fafsa.ed.gov 4.Complete TAP online 5.Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR) 6.Keep records 7.Communicate with the financial aid office

9. 1. Collect Information  Student’s and parents’ SSN and DOB  Parents’ marital status  Tax returns for student and parents  W-2s for student and parents  Records of untaxed income for student and parents bank accounts, stock, real estate, and business records for student and parents  Student’s driver’s license number  Student’s alien registration number (non U.S citizens)  PINs for student and one parent

10. 2. Request Federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov Get a PIN number NOW! Each student One parent! TIP: Parents and students may select the same PIN

11. 3. Complete FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov

12. Beware of www.fafsa.com

13. 7 Steps For Filing the FAFSA 1.Student Demographics Name, social security number, birth date Provide an email address Indicate gender Males have the opportunity to enroll in Selective Service For more information go to: www.ss.gov 2.School Selection Enter FAFSA codes – up to 10 colleges Indicate housing status

14. 7 Steps For Filing the FAFSA 3. Dependency Status Generally a student is dependent if: Under 24 years old Not Married Not a graduate student Not serving in the US military 4.Parent Demographics Name, social security numbers, birth dates Marital status If your parent does not have an SSN, enter 0’s or 9’s

15. 7 Steps For Filing the FAFSA 5.Financial information Use 2010 Tax returns If you have not filed, select “Will file” 6.Sign & Submit Sign electronically with PIN Print signature page Process now without signature 7.Confirmation

16. 4. Complete TAP Online!  From the FAFSA confirmation page, link to the TAP-on-the-Web (look for NY Residents)  Establish your TAP PIN. You may choose to use the same number as your federal PIN

17. Missed the link or need to revise TAP info?  Go to www.hesc.com to complete the TAP information.  Be aware that TAP will be processed for the first college on the FAFSA located in New York State (so you may need to correct the college)

18. 5. Watch for SAR  SAR will be available in 7-10 days  EFC is printed on upper right corner  Make sure all the information is correct  Use your PIN and make changes using Corrections on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov

19. Remember Steps 6 & 7 Keep documents in a file  You may be selected for verification Watch your mail and email  Schools will contact you. Make sure to respond in a timely manner.

20. How and When to Apply FILE EARLY! Right after January 1, 2011  Check “will file taxes”  Estimate financial information accurately  Questions? - 1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) or www.fafsa.ed.gov

21. FAFSA4caster Instead of waiting, you and your parents can use the FAFSA4caster NOW to receive an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

22. FAFSA4caster  Provides general information about federal student aid  Estimates federal student aid eligibility  Creates familiarity with the FA application process  Helps you understand the types and amounts of federal aid you may be eligible for  Submits a request for a Federal Student Aid PIN  Sends reminders to submit the official FAFSA  Reduces the time required to submit the FAFSA

23. How is Financial Need Determined? Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by:  Parents’ income and assets - primary home value excluded  Student’s income and assets  Size of family  Age of parents  Number of children in college COA minus EFC = Need

24. Sources and Types of Financial Aid  Federal  New York State  Private  Lenders  Gift Aid -- Scholarships -- Grants  Self-help aid -- Employment opportunities  Loans

25. Sources and Types of Financial Aid Scholarships  Private scholarship search  At your college of interest  Free Internet scholarship searches www.fastweb.com www.students.gov  Local library resources  Local businesses and civic organizations (including professional associations) related to student's field of interest  Parent’s employer/union

26. Sources and Types of Financial Aid Major Grant Programs  PELL Grant Must have EFC between $0- $5,273 Maximum annual award $5,550  NYS TAP Grant Based on NYS net taxable income TIP: Student can get up to an additional $5,550 if taking summer classes and demonstrating academic progression

27. Sources and Types of Financial Aid Federal Work Study  Based on financial need  On or off-campus employment  Usually 12 to 15 hours per week

28. Sources and Types of Financial Aid William D. Ford Direct Loans Subsidized  3.4% (2011-2012)  6.8% (2012-2013)  Based on need  Federal government pays interest while student is in school  $3,500 for Freshman Unsubsidized  6.8 % fixed interest  Not based on need  Student is responsible for interest while in school  Max loan: cost of education minus financial aid  $5,500 for Freshman

29. Source and Types of Financial Aid Perkins Loan  Need based  Low interest rate (5%)  Student pays no interest while in school  Max $5,500 per year  May be forgiven

30. Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)  For parents of dependent students  Borrow up to entire cost of college less financial aid  No adverse credit (parent must pass credit check)  Interest Rate 7.9% Time Payment Plans  May vary…typically, families spread the direct costs over the semester or year. Sources and Types of Financial Aid

31. SUNY State-Operated Campuses 2010-11 TEACH Grant  Up to $4,000 per year  For students who intend to teach: - a high-need field - that serves students of low-income  Four year service contract  More information: www.studentaid.ed.gov  Participating campuses 10-11: Binghamton, Brockport, Buffalo State, Cortland, Empire State Fredonia, Geneseo, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Stony Brook

32. Tax Benefits for 2010 Hope Scholarship  Tax credit of up to $2,500 (100% of first $2000 and 25% of the second $2000)  Income phases out from $80,000- 90,000 for single filers and from $160,000-180,000 for married filing joint  You may get up to $1000 refunded even if there is no tax liability  Ask your tax preparer

33. Reviewing Award Letters Comparing Financial Aid Award Packages SUNY COA$20,050 SUNY SFA Package - 5,400* Net cost to family $14,650 Non-SUNY COA$41,896 Non-SUNY SFA Package- 14,400* Net cost to family$27,496 Focus on Net Cost vs. SFA Package Focus on Type of Aid & Total Amount * Student loans are not included Source: College Board: Trends in College Pricing 2009

34. Reviewing Award Letters Questions you should ask:  What is the source of aid?  What is the out-of-pocket expense?  Will the scholarship be renewed?  Is there a GPA requirement?  What happens if the requirement is not met?

35. SUNY Statewide Financial Aid Day 2011  Ask questions about the financial aid application, types of aid and the award process  Some campuses will offer Web access to complete FAFSA online  Watch for information at www.suny.edu/student in early December

36. Questions?

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