1. IMPORTANT THINGS HAZLETON AREA HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE PREPARATORY SENIORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCIAL AID HAHS Guidance

2. GET YOUR PARENTS IN THE LOOP.  It is important to discuss your college goals and costs with your folks. They play an integral role in determining whether or not you have enough money to cover your educational costs.  Share your plans, THE PHEAA GUIDE, scholarships, and other important information.

3. TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID  Scholarships (merit-based money) and Grants (gift money)  Come from a variety of sources, including federal and state governments, colleges, organizations, foundations, etc.  This money does not have paid back.  Loans  Need to be repaid, some after college graduation

4. TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID  Work Study  Federal and state program money can be used for a variety of college expenses  School-sponsored job program; work on- or off-campus  Apply for via the FAFSA  Summer jobs  Savings

5. COMPLETE THE FAFSA ON THE WEB.  F Free  A Application (for)  F Federal  S Student  A Aid

6. FAFSA DETAILS  Complete this application online at  www.fafsa.gov www.fafsa.gov  www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov  www.studentaid.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov  DO NOT GO TO www.fafsa.com !!!www.fafsa.com  www.fafsa.com is a fee-based site, and the FAFSA is FREE! www.fafsa.com

7. FAFSA DETAILS  The application is completed with income from 2013 tax information  It checks for eligibility for federal and Pennsylvania State Aid.  List most expensive Pennsylvania school FIRST.  You will receive notices from the government and financial aid packages from the schools you listed on the FAFSA. Follow instructions.  IRS Data Retrieval Tool*

8. BE MINDFUL OF DEADLINES!  The deadline for submitting the FAFSA on the WEB for Pennsylvania residents is May 1, 2014. Some program deadlines are August 1, 2014.  The school you plan to attend might have an earlier deadline.  PSU Priority Deadline is March 1, 2014  Bloomsburg, etc. Deadline is March 15, 2014  LCCC’s Scholarship Deadline is April 15, 2014

9. A TALE OF TWO APPLICATIONS…  In addition to completing the FAFSA, Pennsylvania residents must also complete the requirements for the Pennsylvania State Grant.  Either  Watch for the LINK at the end of the FAFSA application process -- or –  Go to www.pheaa.org to complete the application.  Remember to mail the signature page to the PHEAA Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

10. OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS  Some schools require other financial aid applications.  They might have their own forms, etc.  Some schools require the CSS Profile, available from the College Board website.

11. FAFSA4CASTER DETAILS  Another useful website to predict your family contribution  www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

12. SPECIAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS  Be aware of special federal and Pennsylvania financial aid programs.  Loan forgiveness for particular majors (certain education majors, nursing, armed forces, etc.)  Awards for certain science and technology majors  Grants for foster children, 9/11 children, etc.  Read the PHEAA GUIDE and share it with your parents!

13. FINANCIAL AID NIGHT AT HAHS  Date: January 28, 2014 Time: 6:30 P.M.  Location: HAHS Library  Bring your FAFSA PIN with you!  Get your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.www.pin.ed.gov The date for 2015 will be determined soon. Listen to announcements for further information.

14. FINANCIAL AID NIGHT  A local university financial aid officer will present “How to apply for financial aid with the FAFSA.”  It’s free  In-depth review of financial aid types and sources  Includes FAFSA tutorial

15. FAFSA COMPLETION HELP  Although the annual “FINANCIAL AID NIGHT” has passed, there are several options available to help you complete the FAFSA.  College Financial Aid Office  PHEAA Regional Representative  Local FAFSA Completion Sessions  SPARC Representative  Your tax preparer or accountant  Your high school guidance counselor

16. SCHOLARSHIPS  Visit the STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER in the guidance office.  Available LOCAL scholarship details and application materials are updated WEEKLY.  LOCAL versus NATIONAL

17. SCHOLARSHIPS  This is money that can be used for educational purposes  Tuition  Room and Board  Transportation  Books  Entertainment  Etc.

18. OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES  There are several NATIONAL websites available where you can apply for additional scholarship money.  www.questbridge.org www.questbridge.org  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  www.meritaid.com www.meritaid.com  www.gocollege.com www.gocollege.com  www.scholarships.com www.scholarships.com

19. KEEP YOUR PARENTS PROUD!  College acceptances are published in the Standard- Speaker weekly column each Tuesday.  To get your name on the list, see your counselor.

20. SENIOR CLASS SURVEY  In the latter part of May 2014 counselors will meet with seniors to finalize their post-high school plans.  The “SENIOR CLASS SURVEY” accomplishes several things –  Informs the guidance staff where to send final transcripts  Reports demographic information to the state  Assists the school in compiling the most recent profile data  Tallies the total scholarship money awarded to the Class of 2014

21. GOOD LUCK!  We wish you the best of luck with finalizing your college plans!  We will always do our best to fulfill your requests and answer your questions.  Keep in touch with us!