By: Scott Kessler LPL Financial SmartCollegeFunding.com Planning By: Scott Kessler LPL Financial SmartCollegeFunding.com LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics - HOPE 3.0 high school HOPE GPA across core academic subjects (evaluated by GSFC) 3.0 across ALL college courses attempted Evaluated at the end of every Spring semester AND at 30, 60, and 90 attempted hours Can LOSE HOPE at any of these checkpoints Can only GAIN HOPE at 30, 60 and 90 attempted hours LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics – Zell Miller ZELL MILLER SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILTY Graduate as the valedictorian or salutatorian; OR Graduate with a 3.7 GPA (as calculated by GSFC); AND 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT or 26 on the ACT – One test administration, not highest combined score Must maintain 3.3 GPA across ALL college courses attempted Evaluated at the end of Spring term AND at 30, 60, and 90 attempted hours LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics Common Requirements between HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship GA resident at high school graduation – must be GA resident for 12 months prior to receiving HOPE/ZMS in college Not a GA resident at high school graduation – must be GA resident for 24 months prior to receiving HOPE/ZMS in college Lose and Regain only ONE time Can lose ZMS and maintain HOPE eligibility if above 3.0 college GPA LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics Common Requirements between HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship 127 Attempted Hour Limit ATTEMPTED HOURS Hours of record after drop/add – “If it appears on the transcript” Includes F grades and withdrawals Seven Year Limit following high school graduation LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

We know why college matters According to Pew Research Center – on average college grads earn $17,500 more per year than high school grads By 2020, 65% of all U.S. jobs will require a degree beyond high school Unemployment rates by educational level as of 4/2015 8.6% Less than high school diploma 5.4% High school, no college 4.7% Some college 2.7% College or greater LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Graduation Rates 4 Year Graduation Rates 6 Year Graduation Rates Public Colleges 31% Private Colleges 53% 6 Year Graduation Rates Public Colleges 58% Private Colleges 65% LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

6 Year Graduation Rate - 2015 Univ. of Florida 86.5% Univ. of Georgia www.collegeresults.org Univ. of Florida 86.5% Univ. of Georgia 82.2% Univ. of So. Carolina 72.7% Univ. of Tennessee 67.5% University of Arkansas 60.1% GCSU 61.2% University of North GA 52.8% Georgia Southern 50.5% LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Research Graduation Rates An excellent place to check graduation rates is College Completion which is a microsite of The Chronicle of Higher Education Collegecompletion.chronicle.com

Average Cost of College (COA) per College Board 2016-2017 Public University: In State $20,090 per year Out of State $35,370 per year Private University $45,370 per year Elite Private University $68,000+ per year LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Which price will YOU pay? Paying for College There are two very different prices for college: one for the informed buyer & one for the uninformed buyer Which price will YOU pay? LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Retail vs. Wholesale Only $119! I paid $369 When you fly do you pay the same as the person sitting next to you? Which seat would you rather sit in? Only $119! I paid $369 LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Formula COA (Cost of Attendance) - EFC (Expected Family Contribution) = FN (Financial Need) The difference between the COA and EFC numbers is your “financial need” or eligibility for financial aid at a particular school. LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Cost of Attendance (COA) Includes direct costs to the college (tuition/fees) Also includes indirect costs for related educational expenses Room/Board Books/Supplies Transportation Miscellaneous Living Expenses LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) A measure of how much the student and his or her family can be expected to contribute to the cost of the student’s education for the year EFC is calculated by a formula specified in federal law Factors include but are not limited to: Assets Adjusted gross income Federal tax liability Number in household Number in college Student’s dependency status LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Estimate Your EFC You can attempt to estimate your Expected Family Contribution by typing EFC Calculator into the search box on the College Board’s home page. However, it will NOT suggest or provide any guidance in strategies to potentially reduce your EFC

It matters where you keep your assets and how you pay your portion Savings account Checking account Money Markets Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds Students savings Home Equity 529 plans UTMA/UGMA Life Insurance IRA 401K/403B Investment Real Estate Annuities LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Free Money Scholarships & Grants LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Loans Must be paid back Direct Loans (Stafford) - students PLUS - parents LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics – Federal Programs Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov The gateway for all Federal Student Aid programs Includes student and parent loan programs LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Basics – Loan Programs Direct Subsidized Loans Gov’t pays interest while student is enrolled in school at least half-time Need-based 1.066% origination fee withheld by US Dept. of Education prior to disbursement 2017-2018 Interest Rate is 4.45% (fixed) Unsubsidized Direct Loans Interest accrues on loan while student is enrolled in school Student has option to defer or pay interest while in school 1.066% origination fee withheld by US Dept. of Education prior to disbursement 2017-2018 Interest Rate is 4.45% (fixed) LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Annual Direct Loan Limits Academic Maximum Annual Limit Total Annual Level that may be subsidized Limit Freshman $3500 $5500 Sophomore $4500 $6500 Junior/ $5500 $7500 Senior LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Aggregate (Lifetime) Direct Loan Limits Status Subsidized Limit Combined Limit Undergraduate $23,000 $31,000 Dependent Undergraduate $23,000 $57,500 Independent Graduate $65,500 $138,500 Student LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

PLUS Loan for Parents Apply at www.studentloans.gov Origination Fee of 4.264% Interest rate for 2017-2018 = 7.00% Can borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus other aid Credit Check required LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Which University Is More Expensive? University A University B COA $25,000 EFC -10,000 FN 15,000 Loan 5,000 Grant 2,000 Scholarship 6,000 Un-Met Need 2,000 Real $ Cost 17,000 COA $45,000 EFC - 10,000 FN 35,000 Loan 3,000 Grant 12,000 Scholarship 20,000 Un-Met Need 0 Real $ Cost 13,000 LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Financial Aid Requires the understanding of: Need to know: Forms required by the school (FAFSA, Profile) Knowing your EFC Prudent planning strategies to increase financial aid eligibility Need to know: Average % of Financial Need met by the university The university’s 4 and 6 year graduation rates LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Planning Effective planning for financial aid occurs before filing FAFSA/Profile – NOT AFTER! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! - Early planning gives you the best chance to position yourself for financial aid Learn as much as possible about the financial aid process and seek out the assistance of experts in the field for guidance LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

Scott Kessler 678.456.4227 SmartCollegeFunding.com The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advise or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult a financial professional. scottkessler@outlook.com LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC