The Financial Aid Process 2014-2015 Presented by: Patty Taylor Director of Financial Aid Lakeland College

Financial Aid Topics for tonight How to Apply for Financial Aid FAFSA, other forms and documentation How is Financial Aid Determined? Budget, EFC, Financial Need Types and Sources of Financial Aid Federal, State, Miscellaneous Award Letter Extras Timetable Special Circumstances Tax Benefits Contact Information Types 4 → and Sources of Financial Aid ↓ Federal 5 → workstudy 6 → loans 7 → sub 8 → unsub 9 → PLUS 10-11 ↓ State 12 ↓ Lakeland College 13-14 ↓ Miscellaneous 15 → scholarships 16-17 → private loans 18 How is Financial Aid Determined? 19 (Budget … - EFC … = Financial Need …) 20-22 How to Apply for Financial Aid 23 – FAFSA, other forms (24-27) / 28 Award Letter 29-31 Extras ↓ Timetable 32 ↓ Special Circumstances 33 ↓ Tax Benefits 34 ↓ Contact Information 35

How to Apply for Financial Aid Complete the Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) worksheets Paper FAFSA’s can be obtained by calling 1-800-4-fed-aid (1-800-433-3243) Complete any other forms the financial aid office may require To apply for financial aid, you need to complete the Free Application for federal student aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed on paper or online. Paper versions—CALL Go to the FAFSA Website

FAFSA on the Web

Opening page when selecting “Start FAFSA” Beginning the FAFSA Opening page when selecting “Start FAFSA” Legal Name Student SSN Student Date of Birth

Documents Needed to complete FAFSA 2013 Federal Taxes—with 2 weeks after electronic submission of taxes, on the FAFSA you should be able to pull the data in through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. W’2’s Untaxed Income information Bank Statement Asset Values Driver’s License Social Security Number On Tax Data it is important to know which 1040 form you were eligible to use (1040,1040a, 1040ez). Makes a difference with Assets that need to be listed Talk about the assets –what to include—what not to include Untaxed Income

FAFSA Sections Student Biographical Information Student Dependency Status Parent Information Student Information Colleges and Housing Signature Page and Submission

Student Biolog ical Data LEGAL NAME as listed on the Birth Certificate Address Citizenship Social Security Number Driver’s License Male/Female—Selective Service Drug Conviction Biological Parent’s Highest Grade level

Student Dependency Status Born Before January 1, 1991 Married Master’s Degree Active Duty Veteran Have Children that are supported by you Parent’s Deceased Legal guardianship Homelessness

Parent General Information Last Name First Initial SSN Date of Birth Marital Status State of Legal Residence Email Number in the Household Number in College

Parent Financial Information Benefits from Federal Programs Filing Status Type of return filed or filing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) (‘help’ with tell you exactly which line on the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) Taxes Paid Income earned from work for Parent 1 and Parent 2 Parent 1 and Parent 2 is a change from last year. Must be a legal parent.

Parent Financial Information cont. Education Credit Child Support Paid Tax deferred pensions (401k’s or 403b’s) (W2 boxes 12a,b,c,d,e,f g,h,s) Child Support Received Distributions from IRA or Pensions Other Income

Parent Financial Information Cont Balance of Cash, Savings, Checking Net Worth of Investments Real estate (not the home you reside in), trust funds, UGMA and UTMA accounts, money market funds, mutual funds, CD’s stocks, stock options, bonds, other securities, installments on land sale contracts, commodities Qualified educational benefits or education savings accounts (e.g., Coverdell savings accounts The refund value of 529 prepaid tuition plans)

Parent Assets continued Do not include Home you live in, value of life insurance, retirement plans (401K, 403B) plans, pension funds, annuities, non-education IRA’s, Keogh plans, etc) or cash, savings and checking accounts already reported under cash, savings, and checking. UGMA and UTMA accounts for which you are the custodian but not the owner. Investment Value means the current balance or market value of these investments as of today.

Parent Assets Continued Business or Farm Value Include the market value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, inventory etc. Business and/or investment farm debt means only those debts for which the business or investment farm was used as collateral. Do not include a business if your family owns and controls 50 percent of the business and the farm or business has fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees Do not include the value of a family farm that you and (your spouse, and/or your parents) live on and operate.

Student Financial Information Benefits from Federal Programs Filing Status Type of return filed or filing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) (‘help’ with tell you exactly which line on the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) Taxes Paid Income earned from work for Student (and/or Spouse)

Student Financial Information cont. Education Credit Child Support Paid Taxable Earnings from Federal Work Study Tax deferred pensions (401k’s or 403b’s) (W2 boxes 12a,b,c,d,e,f g,h,s) Child Support Received Distributions from IRA or Pensions Other Income

Student Financial Information Cont Balance of Cash, Savings, Checking Net Worth of Investments Real estate (not the home you reside in), trust funds, UGMA and UTMA accounts, money market funds, mutual funds, CD’s stocks, stock options, bonds, other securities, installments on land sale contracts, commodities Qualified educational benefits or education savings accounts (e.g., Coverdell savings accounts The refund value of 529 prepaid tuition plans)

Student Assets continued Do not include Home you live in, value of life insurance, retirement plans (401K, 403B) plans, pension funds, annuities, non-education IRA’s, Keogh plans, etc) or cash, savings and checking accounts already reported under cash, savings, and checking. UGMA and UTMA accounts for which you are the custodian but not the owner. Investment Value means the current balance or market value of these investments as of today.

Student Assets Continued Business or Farm Value Include the market value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, inventory etc. Business and/or investment farm debt means only those debts for which the business or investment farm was used as collateral. Do not include a business if your family owns and controls 50 percent of the business and the farm or business has fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees Do not include the value of a family farm that you and (your spouse, and/or your parents) live on and operate.

Colleges and Housing List up to ten colleges Search for the school code List WI schools first. Only the first four will be included on the State lists to the colleges.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) Allows the federal tax data to be linked from the IRS data base to the FAFSA If filed electronically the taxes, two week lag time, if filed by mail 4 week lag time If owe taxes the IRS DRT is delayed and not available as quickly. Typically it is after the 15th of April. Not Available for Amended Tax Filers DO NOT change any of the data that was transferred through the IRS DRT process

Signature Page Personal Identification Number (PIN) Student needs a number A Parent needs a number You must mark the oval to agree to the statement on the page. Can print the signature but the processing will take longer Must submit the FAFSA and actually received a confirmation page

PIN Registration Web site: www.pin.ed.gov For student and parent Not required, but speeds processing May be used throughout financial aid process If you do complete the FAFSA online, it is a good idea for you and parent to get a pin number. The PIN is used as electronic signatures. You’ll want to keep your PIN in a safe place along with all necessary passwords. PINS can be used for Student/PLUS loan Master Promissory Notes. PIN—keep it safe with all necessary passwords.

Frequent FAFSA Errors Parent & student social security numbers Divorced/remarried parental information Income earned by parents/stepparents Untaxed income U.S. income taxes paid Household size Number of household members in college Real estate & investment net worth Parent and Student SSN = Match Social Security Administration. Divorced/remarried—family household income Real estate & investments—see directions Small business—sole ownership < 100 employees—no longer listed. There are several good reasons to complete the FAFSA online…such as built-in edits to help prevent errors, skip logic which allows for students and parents to skip questions that do not apply. There is help available online for common questions. Students and parents have the ability to check the status of the FAFSA online and there is a simplified renewal process when completing the FAFSA each year.

The 2014-2015 Corrections on the Web Talk with a financial aid office regarding corrections. Some corrections are required to be made while others may not be. If you marked “will file” for taxes you will be required to submit corrections.

What Happens After the FAFSA is Submitted? Student receives an e-mail that the FAFSA is processed within 3-5 days if PIN’s are used. All colleges listed on the FAFSA should receive an electronic copy A paper Student Aid Report is generated only if the FAFSA was completed on paper and an e-mail address was not entered. Once you have filed your FAFSA, you will receive a e-mail that the FAFSA is processed within 3-5 days if PIN’ s are used. All the colleges you listed on the FAFSA will receive an electronic copy of the FAFSA. Also a note that a paper Student Aid Report is generated only if the FAFSA was completed on paper and an e-mail address was not entered. A Student Aid Report just details all the information you entered on the FAFSA.

Additional Forms Additional forms (these may not be required for everyone) Financial aid application Signed copies of 2013 federal tax returns transcripts for Parent’s and Student IRS DRT fulfills this requirement By Phone 1-800-908-9946 On line at www.irs.gov under tools “Order a Tax Return Transcript or Account Transcript—for amended tax files only Paper request—download form 4506T-EZ from the website www.irs.gov W-2’s Verification worksheet (maybe different for each college) Social security card Selective service card (https://www4.sss.gov/regver/Register1.asp) File should be complete for an award to be determined May need to watch internet site of college

The Award Letter Lists each source of assistance Gives you the right to accept or decline any type of aid May need to be signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office Many colleges have the award letter available on-line. Some FAO don’t require a signature. If they don’t hear from you they automatically assume you will accept all aid.

Award Letter is Accepted. What’s Next? If the student accepted a loan, the necessary promissory notes need to be completed at www.studentloans.gov Students borrowing for the first time through the federal programs must complete Entrance Counseling. Students should keep copies of the loan application, award letters, and disclosure statements Be there to help you son/daughters. Many have never borrowed money and need guidance determining which loan program is best for them. 10 days prior to the term, we are allowed to disburse financial aid funds to a students account. After you sign your award letter, if you accepted a loan you will need to complete the necessary promissory notes—which detail the terms of loan and is basically your promise to repay the loan. If you are a first-time loan borrower through the Federal Loan program, you will also need to complete loan entrance counseling. The loan entrance counseling allows for students to learn about loans. Many schools wait to disburse after a census date. (two weeks into the term)

What is Financial Aid? Financial aid is money a student receives to help the student and family pay for educational expenses. So paying for college is a cooperative effort between students, parents and financial aid.

Types of Financial Aid Grants—Money not paid back Scholarships—Money not paid back Loans—Money a student or parent borrows and pays back to a lender Work Program—Job on-campus There are several different types of financial aid. Grants and Scholarships are funds that don’t need to be repaid. Grants are usually awarded base on financial need whereas scholarship are usually earned based on academics or special interest (such as major/community service/participation). Loans are funds the student or parents borrow and pay back a lender. There are also loans available for Parents called the PLUS loan. Finally there is the work program, where a student can get a job on-campus.

Federal Sources Grants Pell SEOG Teach Grant Work Study Loans Subsidized Unsubsidized PLUS Perkins Pell Grant—awarded based on need SEOG—awarded by the school based on need Teach Grant—School must apply to participate—Student can receive up to $4000. Careful—lots of requirements and it can become a loan.

Work Study Wages partially funded by Federal Dollars May be required to apply for a job Jobs may not always be guaranteed Earnings must be issued to the student Student can used funds as they determine…extra spending money or can apply towards semester balance—FWS or regular employment doesn’t come directly off the bill.

Student Loans Loan Limits for the Subsidized/Unsubsidized per academic year for dependent students. $5500 Freshman $6500 Sophomore $7500 Junior $7500 Senior Career Maximum to borrow is $31,000 Subsidized Loan limit of 150% of Program. $27000 after 4 years…important for students to strive to graduate in 4 years (only $4000 left for a 5th year)

Student Loans Cont. Federal Subsidized Interest rate of 3.86% (subject to Change as of July 1, 2013 6 months grace after college before repayment begins however interest starts accruing 1.072% origination fee deducted by the federal government from the gross amount of the loan government pays the interest while the student is in college 1% federal default fee Origination will decline to 0 over the next 2 years.

Student Loans Cont. Federal Unsubsidized Interest rate is 3.86% (Undergraduates) 6 month grace period after college before repayment begins however interest starts accruing 1.072% origination fee deducted by the federal government from the gross amount of the loan The student is responsible for the interest on the loan while in college 1% federal default fee

PLUS Loans Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan for Parents Interest rate 6.41% 4.288% origination fee deducted from the gross amount of the loan

PLUS Loans Cont. 1% federal default fee Credit check is performed—if denied, an endorser can be obtained Payments begin 60 days after the latest disbursement Parents can request to postpone payments while the student is enrolled at least half-time. If the loan is denied b/c of the credit check, a couple of different things can happen. Parent may be able to request a 2nd look to review the credit history more closely or the student will become eligible for a federal Stafford unsubsidized loan with a parent denial for the PLUS loan. ($4000/$5000)

State Sources Grants Wisconsin State Tuition Grant (Private) Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (UW’s / Tech) Wisconsin Covenant Wisconsin Indian Grant Talent Incentive Program (TIP)—Wisconsin Education Opportunity Programs (WEOP) http://dpi.state.wi.us/weop/index.html Minority Grant http://www.heab.state.wi.us/ State grant programs will not appear equally at all colleges. Private is based on a formula that takes into account tuition charges at each school and EFC. Briefly Explain TIP—which is designated to assist low income, disadvantaged students. Students would need to apply for this grant separately if they meet eligibility requirements.

Wisconsin Covenant 2014-15 http://www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov/ Students MUST: 1. Complete FAFSA by April 1 2. Complete confirmation form by April 1 3. By July determine which college student will attend. There are not exceptions to these deadlines. Appeal process—military, serious accident with severe medical issues. .

Wisconsin Covenant Full-time (12 credits) for 2013-14 EFC WI Covenant Foundation Grant WI Covenant Scholars Grant Yearly Total $0 $1,500 $1,000 $2,500 $1-$3,499 $3,500-$11,999 $1000 $12,000-$99,999 $250 WI Covenant Foundation---Great Lakes $ WI Covenant Scholars—State Tax Sponsored

Wisconsin Covenant Half-Time (6-11 credits) EFC WI Covenant Foundation Grant WI Covenant Scholars Grant Yearly Total $0 $1,500 $750 $2,250 $1-$3,499 $3,500-$11,999 $500 $12,000-$99,999 $125 Again, no guarantee it will be available after this 2011-12 year.

Miscellaneous Sources College Community, foundations, Companies DVR Tribal Indian Grants Financial Institutions—Private/Alternative Loans: Scholarships can be given out by community groups, local businesses, churches, the college or other organizations. DVR—Department of Vocational Rehabilitation—receive special services at school, you may want to look into this program (Physical/Mental Disabilities) Workforce Development—loss of employment

Scholarships Outside Scholarships Must report scholarship(s) to financial aid offices Ask colleges if the scholarship affects the students financial aid award loan or work-study can be affected National searches: www.fastweb.com www.gocollege.com www.finaid.org www.nextstudentloans.com/sse1

Scholarships Cont. When applying for Scholarships: 1. Type applications 2. Follow directions 3. Dress Up for Interviews 4. 20 hours completing applications and if awarded $1000 equates to $50 per hour.

Alternative Loans Banks have been developing their own loan programs for student. www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.html list of available lenders at above weblink. Schools can’t always recommend a lender Often need co-signer—PLUS might then be better option Maintain Good Credit.

How Financial Aid is Determined Budget … Expected Family Contribution (EFC)… = Financial Need… EFC is a formula passed by Congress. Don’t always have to agree but we must use it. Principles of Need Analysis Family has primary responsibility for meeting cost Federal Methodology need analysis attempts to measure ability not willingness to pay. Family’s financial circumstances are taken as they are at the time of application as a benchmark. Family’s may provide the FAO with documented unusual circumstances for further consideration.

Budget Tuition and Fees—Direct Cost Room and Board—May be direct or indirect Cost Books—Indirect cost Transportation—Indirect cost Personal—Indirect cost Loan Fees—Indirect cost

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Government Calculation student income and assets parent income and assets number of people in the family number of people in college Two Components: 1. Parent Contribution 2. Student Contribution Principles of Need Analysis—approved by congress—consider it a measurement tool. Family has primary responsibility for meeting cost Federal Methodology need analysis attempts to measure ability not willingness to pay. Family’s financial circumstances are taken as they are at the time of application as a benchmark. Family’s may provide the FAO with documented unusual circumstances for further consideration. Explain # in College ie: 1 in college and $5000 EFC 2 in college may be $3500 per student because of how they adjust the allowances on the income side.

Example of Financial Need 4-Year Private college 4-Year Public College 2-Year Public College Budget $40,000 $19,000 $8,000 EFC $7,000 Financial Need $33,000 $12,000 $1000 Explain the examples

Timetable This is very important. Be very aware of deadlines. Some colleges have cut off dates for different institutional grants or scholarships. Example--WSTG

Special Circumstances Involuntary loss of employment Unusual and excessive paid medical expenses Divorce/Separation Death of parent or spouse Others FAFSA takes a snapshot of family situation, so if you have special circumstance…Talk to FAO Generally require a letter and documentation of special circumstances. Different colleges may make different determinations on special circumstances, but decisions of each college are final and cannot be appealed to the US Dept of Ed.

Tax Benefits There are federal tax credits available while students are in college. This is a good time to talk with a tax advisor about these benefits and how they may impact your tax filing in the future. Brochure about tax tips Mention tax deferred savings plans

College Goal Weekend www.wicollegegoalsunday.org When: February 23 & 24 2013 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: various location around the state What For: Help with completing the FAFSA

Net Price Calculator (NPC) Available on all college website Strictly an estimate Colleges must follow minimum guidelines Net Prices can vary depending on the Cost of Attendance (COA)

College Shopping Sheet Has certain statistics Lists your aid Includes your entire budget (Direct and Indirect Costs) The form is set by Federal Requirements It is optional for schools to participate

Good Luck! Patty Taylor 920.565.1298 taylorpl@lakeland.edu One last thing—PRIVACY ACTS—Sometimes we can not always disclose information to parents without students permission