1. Big Walnut High School School Counseling Office Nancy McCracken-Bennett A-Go Molly Fortune Gr-Pa Tammi Jordan Pe-Z Paying for College

2. Student Loans Loans are a major source of financial aid for many students. Student loans are debts that must be repaid once you are no longer a full-time student. Relatively low interest rates with several repayment options. Student loans can be thought of as an investment in your future as long as you are prepared to meet your repayment responsibilities. Helpful Website: www.studentloans.gov

3. Grants Grants are considered gift aid and do not have to be repaid. Most grant aid is based on some type of need-based eligibility requirement; therefore, you must complete the FAFSA to apply for most grants. Sources of grants include federal, state, private, and institutional funds. Although grants are a very desirable source of financial aid, the availability of grants is generally limited to the neediest students.

4. Federal Pell Grant Federal Pell Grants are awarded based upon the analysis of the FAFSA and enrollment status (full time or part time). The United States Department of Education uses a standardized formula, to evaluate the information you report on the FAFSA. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. The EFC number can range from zero to 99,999 or higher. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number and will tell you if you are eligible for a Pell Grant.Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number The maximum Pell Grant for 2012-13 is $5635. For the 2012-2013 school year, full-time students with EFCs from zero to 4950 qualify for some Pell Grant. Those with EFCs of 4950 or greater are not eligible for a Pell Grant but could be eligible for other types of aid.

5. Federal Work Study Federal Work-Study is a federally funded aid program that provides University and community service work positions to qualifying students. Students must meet the financial aid requirement to qualify for a position. To apply, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

6. Scholarships Scholarship money can be awarded for almost anything. Academic Achievement Need-Based Leadership Community Service Participation in Activities Scholarships are awarded by individual colleges and universities and by private organizations. Check the college’s website for scholarship opportunities, the BWHS counseling office Scholarship Book or Website, and scholarship websites such as: www.fastweb.com www.finaid.com

7. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Go to www.fafsa.gov (Opens February 1 st )www.fafsa.gov If you have completed your taxes online, you can use the IRS data retrieval: This makes things a lot easier, but it will only be available 1-2 weeks after e-filing. You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Ex6RMAHE8 will be helpful.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Ex6RMAHE8 One parent and each child need a PIN number to be able to file the FAFSA. You can apply for this now and set up an account on fafsa.gov. If you need help completing the FAFSA, College Goal Sunday is held on February 10, 2013 at 2:00pm. Numerous sites around the state will offer expert help and computers on site for FAFSA completion. The closest location to BW will be held at CSCC Delaware (www.collegegoalsunday.org)www.collegegoalsunday.org The Big Walnut Counselors will also work with families some evening in February. (An All-Call will go out sometime after Winter Break.)