1. Financial Aid 101 Paying for Postsecondary Education

2. Know where the money comes from and how you apply for it File the FAFSA Know your DEADLINES Be a Smart Consumer Things to take away…

3. Financial aid consists of funds provided to students and families to help pay for postsecondary educational expenses What is Financial Aid?

4. Joint responsibility of the student and parent(s) to pay, to the extent possible Need-based financial aid subjected to federal formula to determine financial need Not all families qualify for need-based aid. There is no guarantee that you will get any free money to pay for higher education Basic Principles

5. Gift Aid – FREE MONEY  Grants and scholarships Self Help Aid  Loans and work programs Merit-Based Aid based on - academic ability, special talent or achievement, program of study, family or ethnic background Need-based grants, loans, and employment usually based on - income, assets, other factors Types of Financial Aid

6. Federal Government State Government School/Colleges Private Scholarship Sources: HS Counselors Clubs and organizations Employers Internet scholarship searches Where does the money come from?

7. Financial Aid 101 Federal, State and College Financial Aid Programs

8. Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program Borrowing Limits

9. Additional eligibility

10. For parents of dependent students or graduate level students There is no borrowing limit on the PLUS Loan May borrow up to full cost of education minus financial aid Credit check is required on this loan, but no debt- to-income test 4% origination fee will be deducted from disbursements Federal Direct PLUS Loan

11. Repayment begins immediately, but can defer repayment until 6 months after student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment. »If defer payment – encouraged to make interest payments All loans must be repaid within 10 years PLUS loan Interest rate = 7.9% $10,000 = $125/mo; $40,000 = 500/mo; 2 or 3 kids??? Federal Direct PLUS Loan

12. Student borrows in his or her own name Based on credit scoring and debt-to-income ratio Repayment may be deferred until education completed Fees, interest rates, loan amounts, and repayment provisions vary by lender and are generally higher than federal student loans Co-signers usually required. Some loan products have a co-signer release option Compare loans before making choice and read the fine print! Alternative/Private Education Loans

13. Financial Aid 101 FORMS College Fund

14. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a federal form used to determine student eligibility for the following: Federal programs, such as Pell Grants, work- study, and student loans State programs, such as Pennsylvania State Grant, and other special programs School programs, such as need-based grants and scholarships The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

15.  Know what financial aid forms are required: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – federal aid, PA State Grant, college aid, and private scholarships State Grant Form (SGF) required for first year students (and may be requested for subsequent years) CSS Profile required by some postsecondary schools and scholarship organizations Institutional financial aid forms Applying for Financial Aid

16. Know all of your state and school/college deadlines and file the FAFSA by the earliest deadline.  Federal Deadline - end of the award year - for 2013-2014, this would be June 30, 2014  PA State Grant deadlines – May 1, 2013 - First Time and Renewal Applicants that plan to enroll in a degree program or a college transferable program at a junior college or other college or university August 1, 2013 - First Time applicants that plan to enroll in a community college; a business, trade, or technical school; a hospital school of nursing; or a 2-year program that is not transferable to another institution Know School Deadlines Know Your Deadlines!!!!!

17. Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of the year for which the student is seeking financial aid. Two ways to complete the FAFSA: Online at www.fafsa.gov (highly recommended) - safe, secure, fast, skip logic, built-in edits - complete FAFSA on the Web Worksheet - print the confirmation page when finished Paper FAFSA – call 1-800-433-3243 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

18. www.FAFSA.GOV  New FAFSA Entry  Renewal Application Entry  FAFSA Corrections  Providing Signatures  Continuing a Saved FAFSA  Viewing Transaction History

19. Apply for PA State Grant from FAFSA Confirmation Page

20. 24 or older on Jan 1st of award year (January 1, 1990) Veteran (includes active duty personnel) Working on graduate level degree Emancipated minor in legal guardianship Orphan, in foster care, or ward of the court at anytime when student was age 13 or older Have legal dependents other than spouse Student deemed homeless by proper authority Who is independent?

21. Recent death or disability Reduced income Loss of employment Recent Separation or Divorce Contact the school and ask for a special consideration AND Contact State Grant Division at PHEAA Special Circumstances

22. Financial Aid 101 Financial Aid Forms are Filed – What’s Next?

23. Student submits FAFSA Family undergoes need analysis Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined based on: - Parent income and assets - Student income and assets - Family size - Number of children in college - Age of the older parent This is NOT the amount you will pay each year! Determining need-based eligibility

24. In most cases, you WILL have to pay for educational expenses. This is your ACTUAL family contribution, or AFC. You have three ways to cover your share: Yesterday’s money SAVINGS – have you been able to save? Today’s money INCOME – is anything left at the end of the month? Tomorrow’s money LOANS – how much can you afford to borrow? How will you cover the cost??

25. Student Aid Report or Acknowledgment sent to student (review and make necessary corrections) Information is sent to PHEAA. Student must complete State Grant Form (SGF). Can link to this directly from the FAFSA. Account Access (PHEAA) - create an account at www.pheaa.org to view PA State Grant Information is sent to schools/colleges. Send to all schools being considered. What happens next?

26. Schools/colleges receive financial aid information and calculate financial need School cost……………………. $26,000 EFC…………………………….. - 3,000 Financial need………………… $23,000 Financial Aid Office (FAO) “packages” student based on financial need and available funding (varies from school to school). Financial aid award letter sent to student. Calculating Financial Need

27. Packaging Example Cost $15,000 $25,000 $45,000 EFC $ 3,000 $ 3,000 $ 3,000 Need $12,000 $22,000 $42,000 Free Money $ 6,000 $ 8,000 $18,000 Loans $ 5,500 $ 7,000 $ 8,000 Work $ 0 $ 2,000 $ 3,000 Total Aid $11,500 $17,000 $29,000 Gap (Cost – Aid) $ 3,500 $ 8,000 $16,000 Actual Cont. (Cost – Free Money) $ 9,000 $ 14,000 $24,000

28. Is official notification from school about financial aid, terms, and conditions. Lists the type and amount of each award to be received Describes what must be done to accept or reject any award. Discloses students rights, responsibilities, and academic requirements. Financial Aid Award Letter

29. Savings – Family 529 Plans – Family Scholarships – Various Sources Grants – Federal and State Tuition Payment Plans – School Federal Student Loans – Department of Education Institutional Loans – School Private Education Loans – Bank Home Equity Loans – Bank How to Cover the Actual Family Contribution

30. Financial 101 Tips and Strategies

31. Graduate on Time  4 year for Bachelors Degree / 2 year Associates Degree Research and find the right school and major  Minimize transfer and change of major Earn college credits while in high school through AP courses, Vo-Tech, and dual enrollment Consider options for cutting costs (commute, take summer classes, buy used books, make smart meal plan choices 2 + 2 Strategy (2 years at a Community College then transfer credits to a 4 year school) 3 + 2 (Master’s Degree) Reduce the Need for Financial Aid

32. Things like double majors, study abroad, internships, and athletics can enhance the educational experience and improve marketability. But it comes at a price: Total cost just increased by 25%. The fifth year likely costs 20% more than the 1st year did. Loss of institutional funds if they only allow for four years. Loss of PA State Grant if all four years have been received. Reduction in student borrowing capacity if maximum loans received in the first four years (only $4,000 left). Talk it over and plan ahead! Beware of the 5 Year Plan!

33. Don’t borrow more than you need Maximize Federal loans vs. Private loans Don’t borrow more to get your degree than you plan on making the very first year after graduation Utilize institutional or private payment plans – monthly payments, little or no interest Reduce the Impact of Borrowing

34. Do your Research… What is the Net Price that you will pay? Use the Net Price Calculator at schools student is interested in attending to get an estimate of your “net price” to attend. Net Price calculator available on each school’s website. What is the graduation rate? What is the average debt of graduates? What is the repayment rate and default rate of the school’s borrowers? What is the employment outcome for recent graduates? Be a Smart Consumer

35. Financial Aid 101 Final Thoughts

36. Presenter Contact Information Carol Handlan PHEAA chandlan@pheaa.org 717-514-9038