Lesson 3 – Paying for Your Plan

Paying For Your PLAN

A Look Back… Financial Aid Homework

Slide 3.2A What is the FAFSA? What is the FAFSA? FREE Application for Federal Student Aid THE basic application for all types of financial aid! Application Period: January 1 - March 2 BUT…Plan to apply as close to Jan. 1st as possible to receive the maximum amount of aid Plan to reapply every year you are in college

FAFSA is The Gateway to ALL Financial Aid  Access Federal, State and Institutional Grants: usually not available except through this application  Access Work Study: the opportunity to work on campus provides work experience, campus connections and helps pay for expenses  Access low-interest Federal Loans Slide 3.2B

The California Dream Act: Similar to the FAFSA Provides access to CA State and Institutional Grants for students who:  Do not have a Social Security Number  Have attended a California high school for 3+ full academic years between grades 9-12 (or equiv. credits & elem. + secondary residency) and will graduate from a California high school  Will enroll at an accredited institution of higher education in California  File or plan to file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating that he/she will apply for legal residency as soon as possible Slide 3.2C

How Do You Complete The FAFSA?  Go online and type in  Apply between January 1 st to March 2 nd  Attend a Cash for College Workshop at this High School to get help in January  Apply EARLY in January using estimated tax information based on prior year Slide 3.3A

BEWARE! DON’T GO TO: It is a private FAFSA Preparer that will charge you at least $80 to “help” you fill out the FAFSA. Slide 3.3B

Slide 3.3A How Do You Complete The FAFSA?  Go online and type in  Apply between January 1 st to March 2 nd  Attend a Cash for College Workshop at this High School to get help in January  Apply EARLY using estimated tax information based on prior year

What is a FAFSA PIN? Slide 3.4A

How To Apply For Your PIN How To Apply For Your PIN  On PIN website, click APPLY NOW under Apply for a PIN.  Click NEXT, then complete Personal Information on next page.  Create your own personal 4-digit PIN. Click NEXT.  Select Display Now from drop-down box to instantly see the PIN you have created. Write it on the PIN Card. KEEP YOUR PIN PRIVATE! DON’T SHARE IT WITH ANYONE! Please refer to the handout to learn more about how to set up a password for the California Dream Act. Slide 3.4B

How to Start the FAFSA Application 1.Go to official site: (NOT 2.Be sure to: a) Select and complete the FAFSA form b) Check all personal information for accuracy c) Mistakes will cost you time and money 3.You don’t need to complete this all at once. You can access the application any time by logging back in with your PIN. * Use the FAFSA or Dream Act worksheet as a helpful guide – available on these websites: OR Slide 3.5

Use the Financial Aid Application Worksheet.. Use the FAFSA or Dream Act worksheet as a guide available on the websites. Fill it out, check your work. Use it to help guide your family in gathering necessary information to speed up the filing process _dream_application_worksheet.pdf 15_dream_application_worksheet.pdf Slide 3.5A

The Next Step: Apply for your FAFSA PIN, or Dream Act Password and begin your FAFSA/Dream Act Application today! Refer to your handout.