Financial Aid 101 De-Mystifying the Process John Iacovelli Dean of Enrollment Management Stockton University

Goal of Financial Aid Primary goal is to assist students in paying for college and is achieved by: Evaluating family’s ability to pay for educational costs Distributing limited resources in an equitable manner Providing a balance of gift aid and self-help aid

Sources of Aid Federal State The University/College Private Civic organizations (i.e., local Rotary Club, parent’s employer, high school awards, etc.)

Types of Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Loans Employment Opportunities

Merit-Based Aid vs. Need-Based Aid Merit-Based Aid - aid given to students strictly on the basis of merit. May be based on: Academic record Special characteristics Skills or talents Involvement Does not have to be repaid; may be renewable from year to year. Need-Based Aid - aid awarded to students on the basis of financial need. Re-evaluated each year as financial situations may change.

Grants Federal State Institutional Private Grants and Scholarships PELL SEOG State TAG EOF Institutional Private Grants and Scholarships

Loans Federal Direct Loan Program Loan Limits: Subsidized Loan (3.76%) Unsubsidized Loan (3.76%) PLUS (6.31%) Loan Limits: First-year students – $3,500 Second-year student – $4,500 All other grade levels remain at $5,500 All students eligible for additional $2000 of unsubsidized loan.

NJ Class Loan NJ Class Supplemental Loan Program Low fixed interest rates beginning with: 10 Year Repayment Loan of 4.48% Immediate Repayment of Principal & Interest Only 15 Year Repayment Loan(s) of 5.19% Immediate Repayment of Interest Only, while in school 20 Year Repayment Loan of 7.15% Full deferment until out of school

Application Process Early FAFSA: Apply as early as October 1, 2016 Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the college’s deadline Early FAFSA: Apply as early as October 1, 2016 To ensure maximum consideration for federal, state, and institutional aid, check information from each college to determine: Required application materials Application deadlines

Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.gov New federal regulation: Prior Prior Year (PPY) Students can begin the FAFSA process starting October 1st Collects family’s personal and financial information used to calculate the student’s EFC

A FAFSA Must Be Filed on the Web

Common Mistakes Made on the FAFSA Correct name, social security #, birth date Number of people in the household Divorced/remarried households Taxes paid vs. taxes withheld Parental and student assets Worth of a second home “Zero is a number” Please note: for parents who complete a FAFSA from a completed tax return, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) will avoid income mistakes.

Definition of Need = Financial Need Cost of Attendance (COA) – Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need

What is EFC? Basis of financial aid package EFC is determined by a federal formula that calculates need via the FAFSA EFC & Financial Need are guidelines used by schools to determine a financial aid package EFC not necessarily equal to the out-of- pocket cost of the family

Cost of Attendance Tuition and fees Room and board Books and supplies, equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses Study abroad costs Dependent care expenses Expenses related to a disability Expenses for cooperative education program

Need Varies Based on Cost X Y Z Cost of Attendance (Variable) Expected Family Contribution (Constant) Need 1 2 3 EFC

The Cycle of Financial Aid Oct-March Student /Parents complete FAFSA Nov-April School sends award letter June-July School sends Fall semester bill

HESAA and Federal Student Aid Services HESAA Web Site www.hesaa.org HESAA Financial Aid Hotline 800-792-8670 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday NJBEST – College Savings Plan Federal Aid Website and Toll-free Number www.studentaid.gov/completefafsa 1-800-433-3243

Additional Resources Services and Forms: Fin Aid! “The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid”: www.finaid.org USDE Publications : www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/index.html FastWeb www.fastweb.com FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.gov “Practice” FAFSA: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

Student Loan Debt = $1.4 TRILLION