Financial Aid and Paying for College Financial Aid Office College of the Desert January 2015

What is financial aid? Applying for financial aid Helpful tips Resources Overview

Financial aid can help to pay for college expenses: tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid makes up the difference between what college costs and what a family can afford to pay. Approximately 2/3 of full-time undergraduate college students receive some sort of financial aid. There are three main types of financial aid: – Grants and scholarships – Work-study – Loans Financial aid

Originate from federal/state government and institutional sources Do not need to be repaid or earned Include the Federal Pell Grant, State Cal Grant, Chaffey grant, CSU Grant (SUG) and UC Grant Need-based Require FAFSA Grants

Low income grant EFC range of 0 to 5198 for full-time students $5,775 full-time award for (EFC=0) Award amount relatively constant between colleges Award adjusted if less-than full-time 600% max timeframe (6 full-time years) Federal Pell Grant

Low income grant; must be awarded Pell Grant first Award amounts vary between colleges ($500 to $2,000) Tied to priority processing date May be directed towards high cost programs Federal SEOG Grant

Low or middle income grant Must complete FAFSA/ and GPA verification by March 2 nd Award amounts vary between colleges and programs (go to Renewable up to 4 years Must meet annual income and asset ceilings State Cal Grant

Low or middle income grant Tied to priority processing date Award amounts vary between colleges and programs (comparable to Cal Grant) Non-renewable Non-stacking w/ Cal Grant (Can’t receive both) CSU Grant or UC Grant

Low or middle income award Must be California resident attending a California Community College Eligibility tied to info on FAFSA Covers all enrollment fees A, B or C awards Must have financial aid need of $1104 or more BOG Fee Waiver

Part-time employment Must have financial need Often tied to priority date On and off-campus employment Federal Work Study

Gift aid from public and private sources Criteria and award amounts vary Separate application processing Where to find? – Financial Aid office website (COD scholarship application – Pathways to Success( Beware: Never pay for a scholarship Scholarships

Federal Direct Loans (student and parent) Subsidized vs. unsubsidized (at 4 year institutions) Private loans Can be awarded up to the cost of attendance Borrow responsibly Loans

Apply for admissions to desired colleges Complete FAFSA/Dream Act application starting January 1st Cal Grant GPA Verification Form Scholarship application(s) Applying for Financial Aid

California Dream Act – AB540 – AB 130 & AB 131 Type of Assistance – BOG fee waiver, Cal grant, Chafee Grant, UC Grant, and Cal State University grant Application: – dream.csac.ca.gov – Submit by March 2nd California Dream Act

Apply early, meet deadlines and complete all documentation Can estimate tax information on FAFSA and correct later using IRS DRT Verify all FAFSA, PROFILE or other data is accurate— affects eligibility Check for Cal Grant statuswww.webgrants4students.org Helpful Tips

Check student portal, campus account and Financial Aid Office website regularly If dropping below full-time, contact the Financial Aid Office to see how this affects your financial aid Apply early and complete all paperwork to ensure your receive your funds when you need them Be sure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards Helpful Tips (cont.)

College financial aid office and high school counseling office FAFSA - College Board/PROFILE – CA Student Aid Commission – US Dept. of Education – General Financial Aid Info – Resources

Questions?