CSU HS Counselor Financial Aid 101

What is Financial Aid Gift Aid Scholarships Grants Self-help aid Loans Employment opportunities

Goals of Financial Aid Primary goal is to assist students in paying for college and is achieved by - Evaluating family’s ability to pay educational costs Distributing limited resources in an equitable manner A package of financial aid awards is put together to meet the student’s need & may consist of gift aid and/or self-help aid, depending on the student’s eligibility

Definition of Need Cost of Attendance (COA) -Expected Family Contribution (EFC) ___________________________________ =Need

Cost of Attendance (9 months) At HomeOn CampusOff Campus Fees $3,834 Books/Supp 1,533 Room/Board 3,9509,32110,165 Trans 1,1611,0401,255 Personal 2,4592,3882,466 TOTAL $12,937$18,116$19,253

Principles of Need Analysis Need Analysis determines the Expected Family Contribution. This calculation is based on a standard formula determined by the U.S. Congress. To extent they are able, parents have primary responsibility to pay for dependent child’s education Students also have responsibility to contribute to educational costs

Independent Student Definition At least 24 years old by December 31 of award year covered by the FAFSA; Graduate or professional student; Married; Has children or dependents (other than a spouse) for whom the student provides more than half support;

Independent Student Definition Orphan or ward/dependent of the court; Currently an active duty member or Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces; or Determined to be “independent” by financial aid administrator based on unusual circumstances

Types of Financial Aid (Federal) Federal Pell Grants Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG); 1 st or 2 nd year of college National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART); 3 rd or 4 th year of college Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Types of Financial Aid (State) Cal Grants Chaffee Grants CSU - State University Grant (SUG) CSU - Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Community Colleges – Board of Governor’s Grant (BOGG)

Types of Self – Help Aid Federal Work-Study (FWS) Federal Perkins Loans Stafford Loans PLUS Loans

Primary Applications FAFSA For Federal, State, Campus, some private $$ GPA verification for California grant

FAFSA Collects family’s personal and financial information used to calculate student’s EFC Available in English and Spanish Apply electronically via FAFSA on the Web

FAFSA on the Web Web site: FAFSA on the Web available on or after January 1, 2009 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet: Used as “pre-application” worksheet Questions follow order of FAFSA on the Web Get PIN to complete electronic process

PIN Registration Web site: Can get PIN at any time Recommend parents get a PIN also May be used by students and parents throughout aid process, including subsequent school years

FAFSA Processing Results Central Processing System (CPS) notifies student of FAFSA processing results by , or by letter if no address is provided on the FAFSA. If information needs to be updated or corrected, students and parents can make corrections online at using their PIN’s for access and signatures. Institutions may correct information after requested verification documents are submitted and reviewed.

Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (paper)

California (Cal) Grant March 2 deadline, most CSU campuses (FAFSA too) High schools have a critical role in submitting GPAs for students On-line if you can It takes 2 – GPA verification for Cal Grant and the FAFSA

Cal Grant Award Notification California Aid Report (CAR) Paper form, classic mail Sent 2-4 weeks after both FAFSA and GPA are submitted If eligible will show Cal Grant amount at 1 st 3 California colleges listed on FAFSA If no letter by April: Call (1-888 CA GRANT)

What Students Should Do Next Respond immediately to all requests for follow-up documents, including the admissions office Ask questions, don’t make assumptions or go by another student’s experience Find out how the college will communicate with the student – many rely on student checking their and portals for document requests and award notices Understand the costs of education, ways they can control them, and financial decision points Investigate other sources of aid

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS Cal Grant GPA Verification – let students know their responsibilities for meeting this requirement. Graduation Verification – encourage students to request final transcript before school year ends. Special Circumstances – If the student or family’s situation has changed dramatically due to recent events, such as layoff, disability, death of parent, etc., the student should speak with the financial aid office to request reconsideration.

CSU Financial Aid ,324 CSU Students received aid $1.8 Billion Grants: 169,000 students receive $861 Million Average Award: $5,085 74% received grants Loans: 142,000 students - $958 Million Average Loan: $6,744 62% received loans Work-Study: 8,222 - $19 Million Average Award: $2,322 4% received work-study

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