A Quick Guide FINANCIAL AID

 Federal  Available after completing FAFSA-  State  Almost every state has financial aid for it’s residents  Also Available after FAFSA or State Application  University/ Institutional  Many institutions provide need based financial aid  There are also Institution based scholarships available  Private  Any company, program, or outside source that provides scholarships MAIN TYPES OF AID

 Combine all 4 types of aid.  Focus on Federal + State Aid (FAFSA)  Use target institutions as resources (website, , phone)  Search locally -> nationally for private scholarships  Funds are limited so some programs are first come first serve.  Starting early gives you the best chances of success! BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT IT

 Start in September (start now)  Visit for outline of Fin. Aid.  Visit target university websites for financial aid policies & programs immediately.  Apply for your FAFSA PIN IMMEDIATE STEPS

 Opens January 1 st  Profile determines financial need/ situation.  Must be signed using PIN by Guardian and Student, get *these early   Automatically apply for Fed. And State AID  MOST IMPORTANT FORM!  Finish FAFSA As Soon As Possible  Finish at the latest March 15th FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

 Federal Pell Grants  up to 5,550 each year for 12 semesters  Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)  Awarded to students in exceptional need.  The Federal Work-Study Program  Opens students up to Work Opportunities  Check your Eligibility for these programs (Income based) and more.  FAQS and a thorough outline.  FEDERAL AID – LIKELY BENEFITS

 Each state has programs for need, merit, and more!  State Education Agency website:   Overview of Universities and State Programs  **State by State financial aid Programs **:  s.aspx s.aspx STATE RESOURCES

 Will usually rely on FAFSA application to determine eligibility  Many will not have separate application  Many have specific requirements: GPA, AP/ IB enrollment, demonstrate financial need, etc. etc.  Opportunities available for certain degrees (teaching, engineering, etc.) & demographics.  Often renewable if yearly requirements are met**  Funds are limited, finish application early.  Do not assume you will receive, check the website! STATE RESOURCES

 Colleges/ Universities offer scholarships and Grants  Companies, foundations and other organizations offer Scholarships  Based on need, merit, achievement, and MORE.  Can be very open or narrow eligibility requirements.  Should be lowest priority/ source of aid. PRIVATE AID

 Will have unique Application  Will have unique Deadline  Will not necessarily have high competition  Look for these deadlines As Soon As Possible  Should NEVER be any FEES for applications, beware of scams! PRIVATE AID

 Search locally (in your City/ Town) - fewer applicants (easier to get). Look where you’re involved!  College Counselors should have plenty of information for local scholarships.  There are scholarships for everything, expand your horizon!  Prioritize local scholarships and then attempt larger ones.  Do not be afraid of essay, poetry, or other competitions.  If you qualify, then apply!  Always keep track of deadlines.  Look in scholarship books and online:    PLAN FOR PRIVATE AID

 If they offer Early Admission - may require a CSS profile  Profile determines financial need/ situation.  Early admit or not, check the website to see if profile is necessary: tutionServlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv tutionServlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv  Few scholarships that also require the profile - very specific, do a scan. If you are not interested or ineligible for the scholarships and your target school does not require the profile. Do not fill it out.  If profile necessary, submit 2 weeks before the submission deadline.  If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you may be eligible for a fee waiver for the CSS profile. CSS PROFILE/ IDOC

 Start heavy searching after College Apps  Winter break is perfect for scholarship search  Useful tip: Get a physical calendar! Keep track of application dates!  No calendar? EXCEL Spreadsheet!  Your mentee doesn’t have to finish the scholarship applications now, but check eligibility and have a look at the application as soon as possible.  Have your mentee talk to their high school counselors. * *  Many deadlines for scholarship opportunities come around Mid February and on, to stay eligible, KEEP TRACK OF DEADLINES. EXECUTION

 Start by checking your target institutional scholarships and programs early.  Check for Financial Aid within your state and apply if necessary.  Begin your Private Aid Scholarship search (September - December)  Finish FAFSA as soon as possible (After January 1 st )  Fill out CSS Profile/ IDOC if necessary  Focus on institutional aid and continue private scholarship applications.  The more you apply, the higher your chances. If you are eligible, Apply!  Local Scholarships  Larger, National Scholarships  Once again, KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DEADLINES RECAP

 AP and Dual enrollment classes  Reach out to HS Counselors  Earn College Credit, boost GPA, strive for higher achievement  AP credit accepting Universities: policies policies  Consider Housing: Living at home, in a dorm, or off campus  Home -> Save money, may be less social  Dorm -> Expensive, but usually more social  Start at community College  Very cost effective (Avarage < 1/2 public universities)  Can Transfer to Public University (in State)  Finish basic requirements then Transfer to Public University WAYS TO CUT COSTS

 Earn Money while working  Federal Work Opens on campus and volunteer jobs  Steady income and gain work experience.  Choose appropriate meal plan  Be realistic, only buy what you will eat.  Buy used textbooks, rent, or find books online  Use campus bookstore last  Buy and return books in between cheaper alternatives  Attempt to use an older edition WAYS TO CUT COSTS

 AXA achievement Scholarship: for outstanding achievement outside of the classroom: foundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship.htmlhttp:// foundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship.html  Ron Brown Scholar: High achieving African Americans:  Gates Millennium Scholarship: High Achieving ethnic minorities:  List of Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholarships: HIGH ACHIEVING SCHOLARSHIPS

 Large List of Scholarships (Texas Geared)  =PGS =PGS  MUST CHECK WEBSITE  E7F3-1DCC-3F460F26136EEA05 E7F3-1DCC-3F460F26136EEA05  Under “Types of Financial AID”  State and Federal Grants and Scholarships link  Private/Corporate Grants and Scholarships link  Navigate the other pages as well! TEXAS OPPORTUNITIES

GOV. ProgramsForLink OpensDue Top 10% Scholarship Program TX Public 2 year or 4 year college/ University. (State Resources) s.com/apps/financialaid/tofa 2.cfm?ID=385 FAFSA Jan 1 March 15 Texas GRANTAny public institution of higher education in TX (State Resources) s.com/apps/financialaid/tofa 2.cfm?ID=458 FAFSAPriority given to early applicants. March 15 Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) In state colleges and universities (from private resources) s.com/apps/financialaid/tofa 2.cfm?ID=406 FAFSAMarch 15 TEXAS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM (TEOG ) community college, technical college, certain state colleges (2 year colleges) s.com/apps/financialaid/tofa 2.cfm?ID=529 FAFSAMarch 15 Texas B-on-Time Loan In state Public x.cfm?objectid=b00c090d- e45d-4f4b- 89da