1. Finding Money for College Financial Aid and the FAFSA Gary Schindler – Dean of Student Affairs and Financial Aid Director Riverland Commuity College

2. We will talk about: Types of Aid Available Eligibility Criteria FAFSA overview….How to avoid trouble and assure SPEED in the processing of our financial aid. START YOUR CONVERSATIONS

3. What is financial aid? Money to HELP Pay for College (Cost of Attendance) Grants – Federal and State Loans – Federal, State, and Private Work-study – Federal, State, and Institutional Scholarships – Local, Regional, State, and National NOTE…#1 source  Parent and Student

4. Who can get federal student aid? U.S. citizen or permanent resident High school graduate/GED holder Eligible degree/certificate program Valid Social Security number Males registered for Selective Service Key to eligibility  Income, Assets, Family Size

5. How much federal student aid can I get? In general, depends on your financial need (eligibility). Financial need determined by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and cost of attendance (COA) EFC comes from what you report on FAFSA COA is tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, etc. COA – EFC = Financial Need (Eligibility)

6. Cost of Attendance Two-year public - $5,500 State University - $8,000 University of MN - $14,000 & Private Career Private College/U - $30,000+ Note – Reciprocity (ND, SD, WI)

7. How much federal student aid can I get? For early estimate, use FAFSA4caster: Go to www.fafsa4caster.ed.govwww.fafsa4caster.ed.gov Enter some financial information Get an estimate

8. How much state, school, and private scholarship money can I get? Do your research! Ask college financial aid offices High school counselors Free scholarship search at: StudentAid.gov/scholarships Fastweb.com Minnesota Office of Higher Education

9. How do I apply for aid? Federal student aid: fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA SM ) at www.fafsa.govwww.fafsa.gov College application: contact financial aid offices at schools you are considering

10. How do I apply for federal student aid? 1. Get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.www.pin.ed.gov Your parent might need a PIN too. Choose your own PIN or let the site choose one for you.

11. How do I apply for federal student aid? 2. Gather the documents you need to apply. Use FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to prepare your answers. (Get the Worksheet at StudentAid.gov/resources#worksheet) StudentAid.gov/resources#worksheet 2013 taxes Untaxed income docs, retirement contribution docs, child care related payments/receipts

12. How do I apply for federal student aid? 3. Fill out your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.www.fafsa.gov Apply on or after January 1 but as early as possible to meet all deadlines.

13. FAFSA Tips and Trouble Spots Page One: IRS Data Retrieval Do the PIN NOTE – state deadlines Page Two: Citizenship Status Selective Service Dependency

14. FAFSA Tips and Trouble Spots Page Three – Parent Page Biggest Change – Parent Status Dislocated Worker Tax filing Did anyone….receive? Additional Financials - Subtraction Untaxed Income – Addition Assets

15. FAFSA Tips and Trouble Spots Page Four – Student Page Ditto Recommendation….file a tax form

16. Financial Aid – Process Notes 1. FAFSA (Student e-mail Dept. of Ed) 2. Data to college 3. Verification – 30% of students (Tracking letters or notices) 4. Award letter (e-services, outline of awards)

17. Questions?

18. Thanks for coming Contact information: Gary Schindler Phone: (507) 433-0829 E-mail: gary.schindler@riverland.edu