1.  Copyright 2005 CAD 1 Federal government State government Colleges and universities Private agencies, companies, foundations, and your parents’ employers Sources of Financial Aid

2.  Copyright 2005 CAD 2 Types of Aid Gift Aid - Grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid Work - Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus Loans - Borrowed money to be paid back, usually with interest

3.  Copyright 2005 CAD 3 Cal Grants Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards – for students with a GPA of at least 3.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need 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

4.  Copyright 2005 CAD 4 Need-Based Grants Federal Grants Pell Grants -$4,050 maximum per year Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) -$4,000 maximum per year

5.  Copyright 2005 CAD 5 Need-Based Grants College Grants Community College Board of Governors’ (BOG) Fee Waiver - Waives the California Community Colleges’ enrollment fee for financially needy California residents - To learn more about this BOG Fee Waiver, go to: www.icanaffordcollege.com CSU State University Grant (SUG) – amounts vary UC Grant – amounts vary Independent College Grants - amounts vary

6.  Copyright 2005 CAD 6 Types of Applications FAFSA Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Other applications or forms as required by the college such as –2005 federal tax returns (along with schedules and W-2s) or other income documentation GPA Form – CSS Financial Aid PROFILE – Institutional Scholarship and/or Financial Aid Application

7.  Copyright 2005 CAD 7 Getting Ready Before starting the FAFSA, gather: –Student driver’s license –Student Alien Registration Card –Student and Parent Social Security cards 2005 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned 2005 federal income tax form (even if not completed) Records of untaxed income Current bank statements Business, farm and other real estate records Records of stocks, bonds and other investments Create a file for copies of all financial aid documents submitted

8.  Copyright 2005 CAD 8 Getting Started Read all application instructions If planning to submit the paper FAFSA: –Use pen with black ink –Print clearly in CAPITAL letters: –Fill in ovals completely: –Do not leave blanks (unless directed by instructions) –Do not write comments or notes anywhere on form –Do not use correction fluid 1 5 E LM S T

9.  Copyright 2005 CAD 9 The FAFSA A Seven-Step Process Step One -- is about the student Step Two -- asks for student income and assets Step Three -- determines student dependency status Step Four -- requires parental information for dependent students Step Five -- is for independent students only Step Six -- allows the student to list up to six schools Step Seven -- Certification Statement asks for signatures and submission date of the FAFSA

10.  Copyright 2005 CAD 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 – List the student’s name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on the Social Security card (both will be compared through a database match process). #8 Social Security Number S U S A N S U S A N J O N E S J O N E S L #1-3 Name 8 7 0 2 0 9 #9 Date of Birth – Be careful not to write the current year for student’s date of birth PAGE 3 – Step One 1 2 31 2 3

11.  Copyright 2005 CAD 11 –Fill in the student e-mail address that will be valid at least until the student starts college #13 E-mail Address PAGE 3 – Step One

12.  Copyright 2005 CAD 12 #14 Citizenship Status PAGE 3 – Step One a. If the student is a U.S. citizen, status will be confirmed by Social Security match b. Eligible non-citizens will be confirmed with DHS match These include : U.S. permanent residents with an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) Conditional permanent residents with an I-551C status Eligible non-citizens with I-94

13.  Copyright 2005 CAD 13 If eligible non-citizen, write in the student’s eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) Precede an eight digit ARN with a zero Copy of Permanent Registration Card might be requested by the financial aid office 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 #15 Alien Registration Number PAGE 3 – Step One

14.  Copyright 2005 CAD 14 #14 Citizenship Status PAGE 3 – Step One c. If neither a nor b, student is ineligible for federal or state aid, but might still be eligible for a college’s own funds Note: if the student is undocumented or under-documented –start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for the student to become a permanent resident –apply for all private scholarships for which the student may be eligible –check with colleges and universities to see if institutional financial aid is available –watch for changes in federal and state laws regarding the eligibility of undocumented or under-documented students –for more information call: (213)629-2512 –For a list of scholarships, go to www.maldef.org/pdf/scholarships_072004.pdf

15.  Copyright 2005 CAD 15 Residency relates to the student’s permanent home state –if the student is dependent, the state of legal residence is usually the state in which the custodial parents live. State of legal residence is also used –in the need calculation to determine the appropriate allowance for state and other taxes paid by that state's residents –to determine eligibility for state grants such as the Cal Grant C A C A #18-20 Student’s State of Legal Residence PAGE 3 – Step One

16.  Copyright 2005 CAD 16 –Male students who are 18 years of age or older must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal and state aid. #21-22 Selective Service Registration PAGE 3 – Step One #22 –Answer “yes” only if the student is male, aged 18-25, and has not yet registered. The student may also register by going to: www.sss.gov

17.  Copyright 2005 CAD 17 –Indicate the student’s degree or certificate objective for 2006-2007. 1 #23 Degree Objective PAGE 3 – Step One #24 Grade Level 0 –Indicate the student’s grade level beginning with the 2006-2007 school year.

18.  Copyright 2005 CAD 18 – Requirement to receive Federal and State Aid – Home schooling may fulfill requirement #25 High School Diploma or GED? PAGE 3 – Step One –If high school senior, the answer is ‘NO’ #26 First Bachelor’s Degree?

19.  Copyright 2005 CAD 19 If the student is interested in either student loans or student employment, mark “yes” to each question – Answering “yes” does not obligate the student either to borrow or to work, nor will it cause the student to lose grants and scholarships – Answering “no” may restrict some options for limited loans and work-study funds #27-28 Student Loans and Work-Study PAGE 3 – Step One

20.  Copyright 2005 CAD 20 #29-30 Parents’ Educational Level PAGE 3 – Step One –Indicate highest level of schooling completed by biological or adoptive parents (for state award purposes only) –Use birth parents or adoptive parents - not stepparents or foster parents –This definition of parents is unique to these two questions

21.  Copyright 2005 CAD 21 DO NOT SKIP THIS QUESTION The student should: –Answer “NO” if: Conviction was for alcohol or tobacco Conviction was removed from record or occurred before age 18 (unless tried as an adult) –Answer “YES” if the student has been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs #31 Drug Conviction Question PAGE 3 – Step One

22.  Copyright 2005 CAD 22 #32-45 Questions are identical to those we will cover in the parents’ income and asset section of Step Four. In Step Two: –Report the student’s 2005 income and current assets –If student is single, ignore references to “spouse” –If student is married, report spouse’s income and assets –Complete Worksheets A, B, and C for the student on Page 8 Step Two: Student Income and Asset Information PAGE 4 – Step Two

23.  Copyright 2005 CAD 23 –If student is eligible for veterans’ education benefits, report monthly amount expected. (If not applicable, answer zero) –Number of months should equal number of months attending school. (If not applicable, answer zero) For more information, contact the VA at: (800) 827-1000 or www.va.gov #46-47 Student Veterans’ Education Benefits PAGE 4 – Step Two 0 0

24.  Copyright 2005 CAD 24 Step Three: #48-54 Determination of Dependency Status PAGE 4 – Step Three – If the student answered “no” to all questions in this step, go to Step Four. For FAFSA filing purposes, the student is considered a dependent student and is required to provide parental information. – If the student answered “yes” to any question in this step, skip Step Four and go to Step Five. For FAFSA filing purposes, the student is considered an independent student.

25.  Copyright 2005 CAD 25 Step Four: Parent Information See Page 7 of FAFSA instructions about who is considered a parent –Biological or adoptive parent(s) –Stepparent Regardless of any prenuptial agreements PAGE 5 – Step Four

26.  Copyright 2005 CAD 26 Step Four: Parent Information (cont.) PAGE 5 – Step Four Do not provide information on: –Foster parent(s) Student is automatically considered an independent student –Legal guardian(s) Must attempt to get biological parental information if guardianship ends at age 18 Colleges may use Professional Judgment to allow the student to file as an independent student

27.  Copyright 2005 CAD 27 #55 Parents’ Marital Status as of Today PAGE 5 – Step Four #56 Month and year parents were married, separated, divorced, or widowed M M Y Y Y Y

28.  Copyright 2005 CAD 28 NOTE: This information should be provided for the parents who are required to give information for Step Four. #57-64 Father’s and Mother’s SSN, Last Name, First Initial, and Dates of Birth PAGE 5 – Step Four J O N E S 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 J O N E S S S 0 6 1 8 4 9 0 4 0 3 4 4

29.  Copyright 2005 CAD 29 –Include in parents’ household: the student applying for financial aid the custodial parent(s) parents’ other dependent children, if parents provide more than half their support or the children could answer “no” to every question in Step Three, regardless of where they live other people, if they now live with the parents, and if the parents provide more than half their support, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/06 through 6/30/07 #65 Parent Household Information PAGE 5 – Step Four 0 5

30.  Copyright 2005 CAD 30 –Always include the student even if he/she will attend college less than half-time in 2006-2007 –Include other household members in #65 only if they will attend at least half time in 2006-2007 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate –Always exclude parents NOTE:Some financial aid offices will require proof that other family members are attending college #66 Family Members Attending College PAGE 5 – Step Four 2

31.  Copyright 2005 CAD 31 –Question #67: Indicate the two-digit state code for parents’ permanent address –If the answer to #68 is “no,” in Question #69, enter the month and year residency began for the parent who has been a legal resident of that state the longest #67-69 Parents’ State of Legal Residence PAGE 5 – Step Four C A M YY M YY

32.  Copyright 2005 CAD 32 Step Four: Parent Income and Asset Information –If the answer to any question is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0: –Report whole dollar figures: –Recommendation: If parents have not filed their 2005 federal tax return, use W-2 forms and/or other employment records to estimate total income PAGE 5 – Step Four, $ 0 1 2 $ 3 5 6 (no cents),

33.  Copyright 2005 CAD 33 –Indicate parents’ current tax filing status for 2005 –Which tax return did or will parent(s) file for 2005? –Even if parent(s) did not file a 1040A or 1040EZ, read the instructions to see if they would have been eligible to do so #70-72 Parent Tax Return Filing Status for 2005 #70 #71 #72 PAGE 5 – Step Four

34.  Copyright 2005 CAD 34 –If parents have not yet filed their 2005 federal tax return information, it is okay to estimate information for these questions. Do not use 2004 income –If parents have completed their 2005 federal tax return, use 2005 tax return information to fill out Questions #73-75. Pay attention to specific line-items Reminder: If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0 #73-75 Parent Income and Tax Information PAGE 5 – Step Four 4 5 2 5 0 2 1 3 0 0 5 0 5

35.  Copyright 2005 CAD 35 –This figure is often different than the adjusted gross income figure on the parent tax return. Use W-2 forms and other records to list all income in 2005 earned from work (including income earned from self-employment) #76-77 Money Earned from Work by Parent(s) PAGE 5 – Step Four 4 0 5 0 0 1 3 2 0 0

36.  Copyright 2005 CAD 36 #78 Worksheet A: Untaxed Income & Benefits –To answer, carefully complete the right column of Worksheet A (Page 8 of instructions) NOTE:Students should keep a copy of the worksheet because the financial aid office may request a copy 1 2 5 0 PAGE 5 – Step Four

37.  Copyright 2005 CAD 37 #79 Worksheet B: Untaxed Income & Benefits 1 7 0 0 6 2 0 0 5 0 0 8 4 0 0 PAGE 5 – Step Four

38.  Copyright 2005 CAD 38 0 PAGE 5 – Step Four #80 Worksheet C: Exclusions to Income 1 2 5 0 8 4 0 0 0 Totals from Worksheets A, B, and C should be entered in Questions 78, 79, and 80 on Page 5 of the FAFSA

39.  Copyright 2005 CAD 39 #81-83 –List the net value of parent assets as of the day the FAFSA is completed –If net worth is one million dollars or more, enter Step Four: Parent Asset Information PAGE 5 – Step Four, $ 9 9 9 9 9 9 –If net worth is zero, enter 0 (do not leave blank), $ 0 NOTE: Some financial aid offices may request supporting documentation for the answers to these questions

40.  Copyright 2005 CAD 40 –Report the current balance of cash, checking and/or savings accounts as of the day you complete the FAFSA #81 Parent Asset Information (cont.) PAGE 5 – Step Four 2 1 5 5

41.  Copyright 2005 CAD 41 –Net Worth means current value minus debt –Investments include: real estate (other than parents’ home) trust funds money market and mutual funds certificates of deposit stocks and stock options bonds and other securities Coverdell IRAs college savings plans including 529(c) plans for parents and all children including the student applicant installment and land sale contracts commodities, etc. #81-83 Parent Asset Information (cont.) PAGE 5 – Step Four 5 0 0 0 0 7 9 0 0

42.  Copyright 2005 CAD 42 –Business/Investment Farm includes: market value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, and inventory. Debt means only those debts for which the business was used as collateral #81-83 Parent Asset Information (cont.) NOTE:DO NOT include the home you live in, the value of life insurance and parent retirement plans (pension funds, annuities, non- education IRAs, Keogh plans, etc), or the value of any prepaid tuition plans PAGE 5 – Step Four 5 0 0 0 0 7 9 0 0

43.  Copyright 2005 CAD 43 #84 –Complete this step only if the student answered “yes” to any question in Step Three (Questions 48-54) –Include in the student household: the student (and spouse if there is one) student’s children, if the student will provide more than half their support other people, if they now live with the student and the student provides more than half their support, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/06 through 6/30/07 Step Five: (Independent Students) Household Information PAGE 6 – Step Five

44.  Copyright 2005 CAD 44 #85 –Count the student even if he/she will attend college less that half-time in 2006-2007 –Include others counted in #84 only if they will attend at least half-time in 2006-2007 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate Step Five: (Independent Students) Family Members Attending College PAGE 6 – Step Five

45.  Copyright 2005 CAD 45 0 0 1 1 1 7 0 0 1 1 1 7 C A CA INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ABC CAL STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY IN ARIZONA C A A Z A Z 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 2 3 4 5 6 0 2 3 4 5 6 0 3 4 5 6 7 0 3 4 5 6 7 Step Six: #86-97 School Information PAGE 6 – Step Six

46.  Copyright 2005 CAD 46 Step Six: School Information (cont.) #86-97 –List up to six schools to which the student is applying –For faster and more accurate processing, write in both the Title IV school code and the school name. Check with each college’s financial aid office, the student’s high school counselor, or the U.S. Department of Education’s website (www.fafsa.ed.gov) for a listing of federal school codes of the colleges to which the student is applying –Select the housing plan that best describes the type of housing the student expects to live in while attending each listed school PAGE 6 – Step Six

47.  Copyright 2005 CAD 47 Step Six: In Question #86, for Cal Grant consideration, list the most expensive California school to which the student is applying In Questions #88–97, list those schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state If the student is applying to more than six schools, wait for the processed SAR and add additional schools via the Web or by phone NOTE: Each UC and CSU campus must be listed separately Strategies for Listing Colleges School Information (cont.) PAGE 6 – Step Six

48.  Copyright 2005 CAD 48 #98 Expected Enrollment Status at the start of 2006-07 academic year PAGE 6 – Step Six –Provide information about the college the student is most likely to attend If in doubt, report “Full-time”

49.  Copyright 2005 CAD 49 –Read the statement in Step Seven before submitting the FAFSA –Fill in the date the student and parent completed the FAFSA –Student and at least one parent must sign the FAFSA –If submitting FAFSA on the Web, the student and at least one parent must provide their own individual PINs –Be cautious about paying someone to complete the FAFSA –You can do it! #99-100 Read, Sign, and Date PAGE 6 – Step Seven 0 2 1 5 Student Signature Parent Signature

50.  Copyright 2005 CAD 50 FAFSA ON THE WEB Internet application used by students and parents to complete electronic FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov Processed more quickly than paper version Sophisticated on-line edits so that errors are less likely to be made Student and at least one custodial parent should get a federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

51.  Copyright 2005 CAD 51 Application Filing Tips FAFSA on The Web Gather necessary documents ahead of time Complete a Pre-FAFSA Worksheet available at www.fafsa.ed.gov Allow ample time to complete form for submission by deadline Check the FAFSA for accuracy prior to submission Save all work periodically Sign the application using student and at least one parent’s PIN Print out a copy of the FAFSA before submitting data Keep a copy of the Submission Confirmation Page

52.  Copyright 2005 CAD 52 File early and meet all deadlines Check the FAFSA for completeness and accuracy Sign and date FAFSA Make a copy of the FAFSA before mailing Mail the FAFSA and stamped self-addressed postcard in the envelope provided –Do not write any comments on the FAFSA  Do not include letters, tax forms, or worksheets  Use regular mail (not Registered or Certified) Obtain a U.S. Postal Service Certificate of Mailing (cost is only $0.90) Application Filing Tips Paper FAFSA

53.  Copyright 2005 CAD 53 Student Aid Report (SAR) Regardless of whether student uses FAFSA on the Web or submits a paper FAFSA, a SAR will be sent to the student –An electronic SAR will be sent if student provides an email address –A paper SAR will be mailed if no student e-mail address is provided An electronic copy will be sent to each college or university listed by the student in Questions 86-97

54.  Copyright 2005 CAD 54 What Happens Next? Students and colleges receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from federal processor  Students who complete FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form receive California Aid Report (CAR)  Students and families review SAR and CAR for important information and accuracy of data  Colleges match admission records with financial aid applications and determine aid eligibility  Colleges mail notices of financial aid eligibility to admitted students who have completed all required financial aid forms

55.  Copyright 2005 CAD 55 Special Circumstances Contact the Financial Aid Office if there is: –Loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets –Death or serious illness –Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance –Reduction in child support, social security benefits or other untaxed benefit –Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents –Any other unusual circumstances that affect a family’s ability to contribute to higher education

56.  Copyright 2005 CAD 56 Summary of the Financial Aid Process Submit all required forms, including FAFSA, by each college’s published deadlines (but no later than March 2) By March 2 submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Keep a copy of all forms submitted Review the electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) Acknowledgement or the paper SAR sent to the student Review the California Aid Report (CAR) Watch for financial aid award notifications from colleges to which the student has been admitted Be sure to apply for financial aid this year and every year as soon as possible after January 1 to receive the best financial aid award possible ASK QUESTIONS!

57.  Copyright 2005 CAD 57 Questions and Answers