1. Financial Aid for College Filling out a FAFSA

2. All money spent on education is an investment….. By your government By your community By your parents and family By YOU …intended to yield a return!

3. Your education thus far has been an investment made by your community $3500-4000 per student per year X 12 $42,000-50,000 What kind of a return do you represent thus far?

4. FAFSA: Federal money Free Application For Federal Student Aid Find the link at www.fafsa.govwww.fafsa.gov Never pay anyone to file your FAFSA!

5. You fill it out each year! Your info will be kept on file. Each school year, you update the information.

6. Filing the FAFSA allows you to continue your education You shoulder some of the responsibility for the cost You invest in your future

7. What kind of schools qualify for Federal dollars? 4 year colleges and universities Community colleges Trade schools Vocational training programs

8. Types of Aid Grants – money not repaid, given on a basis of need (income+assets+family size) Pell Grants Work Study – employment - wages paid with federal money Loans

9. Federal Student Loans are different from commercial loans. Lower interest Longer payback period Grace period upon completion of your education

10. Dependency Your will be regarded as a dependent until you are 24 Your parent’s/guardians’ income will be considered in awarding you financial aid Independent status: marriage, children, foster care, emancipation

11. Special circumstances Case by case basis Considered through a written explanation to individual financial aid departments

12. To file a FAFSA you need Current financial information for you and your parents/guardians – Tax returns – W-2’s

13. File in January Even if you do not have current tax information – use previous year’s numbers as an estimate Update ASAP when current taxes are completed

14. Pin Numbers Allow you and your parents to sign your FAFSA online Requires a social security number (Parents with no SS# follow directions for pin)

15. Follow the FAFSA with the OSAC Oregon Student Aid Commission is the state form of the FAFSA Consideration for Oregon Opportunity Grant (similar to the Pell) is automatic when FAFSA is filed Clearinghouse for over 300 other grants and scholarships GearUp scholarships (Central has 5) – this is the last year.

16. Focus on local scholarships Think about scholarships given by employers and local businesses They are less competitive

17. Remember: If you fail to plan....