1.  Copyright 2007 Applying for Financial Aid 2007-2008

2.  Copyright 2007 Sponsored by: Presented by:

3.  Copyright 2007 3 What Will You Learn Today? Sources and types of financial aid Required financial aid application forms How to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Answers to your individual questions

4.  Copyright 2007 4 Federal government State government Colleges and universities Private agencies, companies, foundations, and your parents’ employers Sources of Financial Aid

5.  Copyright 2007 5 Types of Financial 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

6.  Copyright 2007 6 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 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

7.  Copyright 2007 7 Eligibility for Cal Grants To be eligible for a Cal Grant, the student must also: –be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen –be a California resident –attend a California college or university in 2007-2008

8.  Copyright 2007 8 parents have been legal residents of California for one year immediately prior to March 2, 2007, or student has lived in California with other legal California residents, other than parents, for two years immediately prior to March 2, 2007, or parents in the Armed Forces are stationed in California on active duty at the time the student enrolls in college, or parents’ military home of record is California. Residency and Cal Grant Eligibility for 2007-2008 If unmarried and under 18 years of age, the student will be considered a legal resident of California if : If married or 18 years of age or older, the student establishes his/her own residence status. The student must be a legal resident of California for one year prior to March 2, 2007

9.  Copyright 2007 9 2007-2008 Cal Grant Application Requirements Check with your high school or college counselor for more details on how to file the Cal Grant GPA Verification form By March 2, 2007, complete and submit: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Cal Grant GPA Verification Form

10.  Copyright 2007 10 California Chafee Grant The California Chafee Grant program provides up to $5,000 annually to current and former foster youth for college or vocational training at any accredited college in the U.S based on available funding. To be eligible, the foster youth must have been in California foster care on their 16 th birthday and not have reached their 22 nd birthday before July 1, 2007 To apply, the foster youth must complete: - 2007-2008 FAFSA - California Chaffee Grant Program Application To learn more about the Chafee Grant, go to: www.chafee.csac.ca.gov

11.  Copyright 2007 11 Need-Based Grants Federal Grants Pell Grants -$4,050 maximum per year Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants -$750 for the first year -$1,300 for the second year Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) -$4,000 maximum per year

12.  Copyright 2007 12 Need-Based 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

13.  Copyright 2007 Types of Applications FAFSA Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Other applications or forms as required by the college such as –2006 federal tax returns (along with schedules and W-2s) or other income documentation – CSS Financial Aid PROFILE – Institutional Scholarship and/or Financial Aid Application

14.  Copyright 2007 14 FAFSA Information & Tips File early, but no later than March 2, 2007 Use estimated 2006 income information if taxes are not complete at time of FAFSA submission Student and at least one parent whose information is reported must complete and sign the FAFSA

15.  Copyright 2007 15 Federal PIN PIN (Personal Identification Number) serves as the electronic signature on ED documents Both student and at least one parent need PIN to sign the FAFSA electronically May be used to: –Check on FAFSA status –Verify and correct FAFSA data –Add additional schools to receive FAFSA data –Change home and e-mail addresses If an e-mail address is provided, PIN will be e-mailed to the PIN applicant within hours Apply for student and parent PINs TODAY at: www.pin.ed.gov

16.  Copyright 2007 16 Getting Ready Before starting the FAFSA, gather: –Student driver’s license –Student Alien Registration Card –Student and Parent Social Security cards 2006 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned 2006 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

17.  Copyright 2007 17 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

18.  Copyright 2007 18 The FOTW Worksheet A Five-Step Process Section 1–is about the student Section 2–determines student dependency status Section 3–collects parental information for dependent students Section 4–collects student income information and information about the independent student’s household Section 5–allows students to list up to six schools to receive information from the FAFSA

19.  Copyright 2007 Section 1 (page 2) STUDENT INFORMATION

20.  Copyright 2007 20 Your Social Security Number List your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card (both will be compared through a database match process) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

21.  Copyright 2007 21 Your Last Name Your State of Legal Residence Residency relates to your permanent home state –if you are dependent, the state of legal residence is usually the state in which your 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 Jones CA

22.  Copyright 2007 22 a.If U.S. citizen, status will be confirmed by Social Security match b.If eligible non-citizen, status will be confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) match. This includes: U.S. permanent residents with I-551 Conditional permanent residents with I-551C Eligible non-citizens with I-94 c.If neither a citizen or eligible noncitizen, you are ineligible for federal/state aid, but might still be eligible for state or institutional fund Citizenship Status

23.  Copyright 2007 23 Alien Registration Number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 If eligible non-citizen, write in your 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

24.  Copyright 2007 24 #14 Citizenship Status u if you are applying to any California public college or university, check to see if you might be eligible for in-state tuition costs u check with colleges and universities to see if institutional financial aid is available u apply for all private scholarships for which you may be eligible u watch for changes in federal and state laws regarding the eligibility of undocumented or under-documented students u start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for younger students to become a permanent resident PAGE 7 – Step One For more information and a list of scholarships, go to www.maldef.org NOTE: if you are undocumented or under-documented

25.  Copyright 2007 25 NOTE: if you are undocumented or under-documented –start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for younger siblings to become a permanent resident –apply for all private scholarships for which you 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 Citizenship Status

26.  Copyright 2007 26 Selective Service Registration Male students who are 18 years of age or older must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal and state aid Answer “yes” only if you are male, aged 18-25, and have not yet registered. You may also register by going to: www.sss.gov

27.  Copyright 2007 27 Indicate your most immediate degree or certificate objective for 2007-2008 Degree Objective

28.  Copyright 2007 28 Your Expected Enrollment Status at the Start of the 2007-08 Academic Year Provide information about the college you are most likely to attend If in doubt, report “Full-time”

29.  Copyright 2007 29 Student Loans and Work-Study If you are interested in either student loans or student employment, or both, mark the appropriate box Indicating interest does not obligate you to either borrow or to work, nor will it cause you to lose grants and scholarships Answering no interest may restrict some options for limited loans and work-study funds

30.  Copyright 2007 30 If you are a high school senior, the answer is ‘NO’ First Bachelor’s Degree?

31.  Copyright 2007 31 Parents’ Educational Level Indicate highest level of schooling completed by your 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

32.  Copyright 2007 32 DO NOT SKIP THIS QUESTION You 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 you have been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs while you were receiving federal financial aid Drug Conviction Question

33.  Copyright 2007 Section 2 (middle of page 3) STUDENT STATUS

34.  Copyright 2007 34 Section 2 Determination of Student (Dependency) Status

35.  Copyright 2007 35 Section 2 Determination of Student (Dependency) Status If you answer “no” to all questions in this step, go to Section 3. For FAFSA filing purposes, you are considered a dependent student and are required to provide parental information If you answer “yes” to any question in this step, skip Section 3 and go to Section 4. You are considered an independent student for FAFSA filing purposes and are NOT required to provide parental information

36.  Copyright 2007 Section 3 (page 4) PARENTAL INFORMATION

37.  Copyright 2007 37 Section 3 – Parental Information See Page 4 of FAFSA on the Web Worksheet about who is considered a parent –Biological or adoptive parent(s) –Stepparent (Regardless of any prenuptial agreements)

38.  Copyright 2007 38 Section 3 – Parental Information Do not provide information on: –Foster parents If the student is in foster care, he/she is automatically considered an independent student –Legal guardians or grandparents or other relatives The student must attempt to get biological parental information Colleges may use Professional Judgment to allow the student to file as independent

39.  Copyright 2007 39 Section 3 – Parental Information, $ 0 If the answer to any question is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0: Report whole dollar figures: Recommendation: If your parents have not filed their 2006 federal tax return, use W-2 forms and/or other employment records to estimate total income 1 2 $ 3 5 6 (no cents),

40.  Copyright 2007 40 Your Parents’ Marital Status as of Today Month and Year Your Parents were Married, Separated, Divorced, or Widowed M M Y Y Y Y

41.  Copyright 2007 41 Parents’ Household Federal Benefits Indicate if you, your parents, or anyone in your parents’ household received benefits from any of the federal programs listed during 2006

42.  Copyright 2007 42 Parent Tax Return Filing Status for 2006 Indicate your parents’ current tax filing status for 2006 –Have your parents completed a 2006 IRS tax return? –Which tax return did or will your parents file for 2006? –Even if your parent(s) did not file a 1040A or 1040EZ, read the instructions to see if they would have been eligible to do so

43.  Copyright 2007 43 Parent 2006 Adjusted Gross Income Reminder: If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0 If your parents have not yet filed their 2006 federal tax return information, it is fine to estimate information for these questions If your parents have completed their 2006 federal tax return, use 2006 tax return information to complete this item. Pay attention to specific line- items on 2006 Federal tax return, if completed 45, 250

44.  Copyright 2007 44 Money Earned from Work by Parent(s) This figure is often different from the adjusted gross income figure on the parent tax return. Use W-2 forms and other records to list all income in 2006 earned from work (including income earned from self-employment) 45, 250 40, 500 13, 200

45.  Copyright 2007 45 Parent E-Mail Address Fill in your parents’ e-mail address that will be valid at least until you start college PJONES@YAHOO.COM

46.  Copyright 2007 46 Father’s and Mother’s SSN, Last Name, and Dates of Birth NOTE:Provide this information for your parent(s) who complete Section 3 of the worksheet 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 JONES 0 5 0 3 1 9 5 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PARKER 0 7 1 9 1 9 6 0

47.  Copyright 2007 47 Parents’ State of Legal Residence Indicate the two-digit state code for your parents’ permanent address If the answer to the previous question is “no,” enter the month and year residency began for your parent who has been a legal resident of that state the longest CA M M Y Y Y Y

48.  Copyright 2007 48 Parents’ Income Tax Paid What was the amount your parents paid in income tax for 2006? –Use U.S. Income tax paid (or to be paid) not the amount withheld from your parents’ paychecks 2, 130

49.  Copyright 2007 49 Parents’ Tax Exemptions Enter your parents’ exemptions for 2006 –Exemptions can be found on their IRS tax return –Be sure to include all persons being claimed on your parents’ 2006 federal tax return regardless of whether they are included in your parents’ household size question 05

50.  Copyright 2007 50 Parents’ Household Information Include in your parents’ household: –yourself –your parent(s) –your parents’ other dependent children, if your parents provide more than half their support or the children could answer “no” to every question in Section 2, regardless of where they live –other people, if they now live with your parents, and if your parents provide more than half their support, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/07 through 6/30/08 05

51.  Copyright 2007 51 Family Members Attending College NOTE: Some financial aid offices will require proof that other family members are attending college Always include yourself even if you will attend college less than half-time in 2007-2008 Include other household members only if they will attend at least half time in 2007-2008 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate Never include your parents 2

52.  Copyright 2007 52 Worksheet A: Untaxed Income & Benefits NOTE: You should keep a copy of the worksheet because the financial aid office may request a copy To answer, your parents should carefully complete the right column of Worksheet A (Page 8 of the worksheet) 1,250

53.  Copyright 2007 53 Worksheet B: Untaxed Income & Benefits 1,700 6,200 500 8, 400

54.  Copyright 2007 54 Worksheet C: Exclusions to Income Remember, your parents’ totals from Worksheets A, B, and C should be entered in Section 3 of the FOTW Worksheet. Your totals should be entered in Section 4 of the FOTW Worksheet. 0

55.  Copyright 2007 55 Parent Assets NOTE: Some financial aid offices may request supporting documentation for the answers to these questions, $ 0 List the net value of your parents’ assets as of the day you complete the FAFSA If net worth is one million dollars or more, enter If net worth is zero, enter 0 9 9 $ 9 9 9, 9

56.  Copyright 2007 56 Parent Assets Report the current balance of your parents’ cash, checking and/or savings accounts as of the day you complete the FAFSA 2, 155

57.  Copyright 2007 57 Parent Assets bonds and other securities Coverdell IRAs 529 plans owned by parents installment and land sale contracts commodities, etc. Net Worth means current value minus debt Investments include: real estate (other than parents’ home) trust funds UGMA and UTMA accounts money market and mutual funds certificates of deposit stocks and stock options 7, 900 0

58.  Copyright 2007 58 Parent Assets 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 a family owned and controlled small business with 100 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees 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 7, 900 0

59.  Copyright 2007 Section 4 (page 6) STUDENT FINANCES

60.  Copyright 2007 60 Section 4 – Student Finances These questions are identical to the parent financial questions we covered in the Section 3 In Section 4: – Report your 2006 income – If you are single, ignore references to “spouse” – If you are married, report spouse’s income and assets

61.  Copyright 2007 61 Section 4 – Student Finances (Independent Students) Answer this question only if you answered “yes” to at least one question in Section 2 – Student Status

62.  Copyright 2007 62 Section 4 – Student Finances (Independent Students) Include in your household: you (and your spouse if married) your children, if you will provide more than half their support other people, if they now live with you and you provide more than half their support, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/07 through 6/30/08

63.  Copyright 2007 63 Section 4 – Student Finances (Independent Students) Count yourself even if you will attend college less that half-time in 2007-2008 Include others only if they will attend at least half-time in 2007- 2008 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate

64.  Copyright 2007 64 Section 4 – Independent Students’ Household Federal Benefits Indicate if you, your spouse, or anyone in your household received benefits from any of the federal programs listed during 2006

65.  Copyright 2007 65 Section 4 – Student Veterans’ Education Benefits If you are 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 0 0

66.  Copyright 2007 Section 5 (bottom of page 7) SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION

67.  Copyright 2007 67 00117 COMMUNITY COLLEGE ABC 023456 Section 5: School Information 034567 List schools to which the student is applying for admission

68.  Copyright 2007 68 Section 5: School Information List up to six schools to which you are 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, your 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 you are applying Select the housing plan that best describes the type of housing you expect to have while attending each listed school

69.  Copyright 2007 Step Six: School Information (cont.) u List at least one California college or university u In Question 97a, c, e, and g, list those schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state u If the student is applying to more than six schools, wait for the processed Student Aid Report (SAR) and add additional schools via the Web or by phone Strategies for Listing Colleges PAGE 10 – Step Six NOTE: Each UC and CSU campus must be listed separately

70.  Copyright 2007 70 DO NOT MAIL THIS WORKSHEET

71.  Copyright 2007 71 TYPES OF FAFSAs FAFSA on the Web Paper FAFSA

72.  Copyright 2007 72 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

73.  Copyright 2007 73 Application Filing Tips FAFSA on The Web Gather necessary documents ahead of time Complete a FAFSA on the Web 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

74.  Copyright 2007 74 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 –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 $0.95) Application Filing Tips Paper FAFSA

75.  Copyright 2007 75 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 of the data will be sent to each college or university listed by the student in Step 5

76.  Copyright 2007 76 What Happens Next? Students and the colleges the student listed 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

77.  Copyright 2007 77 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

78.  Copyright 2007 78 Summary of the Financial Aid Process Submit all required forms, including the 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!

79.  Copyright 2007 79 Questions and Answers