Money doesn’t grow on trees…

■ Cost of attendance (COA) ♦ Each college has its own student COA. Costs can include: Tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing, transportation and personal expenses. ■ Expected family contribution (EFC) ♦ The amount of money the government believes you or your family could reasonably contribute toward your education Your Cost of Attendance - Your Expected Family Contribution (taken from the FAFSA) = Your demonstrated financial need ESTIMATED AVERAGE ACADEMIC YEAR EXPENSES Commuting from homeLiving in campus housing Living away from home/off-campus Tuition Fee$5,472 Miscellaneous Fees1,306 Books and Supplies1,758 Meals and Housing4,72312,53512,430 Transportation1,3451,1671,393 Miscellaneous Personal1,391 TOTAL$15,995$23,629$23,749 From:

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 Funds provided to students to help pay for postsecondary education expenses.  Financial Aid includes:  Grants  Work Study  Loans  Scholarships

 A grant is FREE money.  Types:  A Pell Grant is federal free money. ▪ FAFSA required  BOG (Board of Governors) at Community College- covers tuition. ▪ Apply through Community College website.

 Cal Grants are State free monies, used for tuition and/or other fees. ▪ Cal Grant A, B, C  Grants can be used at a four year college or two year college or a technical school.  Start with the FAFSA or California Dream Act application.  We submit your GPAs electronically.  High School graduation confirmation required. Students can confirm online by using WebGrants for Students:  There’s a new grant program: Middle Class Scholarship Program (CSAC will notify students if they are eligible)

 If eligible for Workstudy- Contact the college Financial Aid Office for list of jobs that qualify.  Must apply to a job on the list.  Examples of jobs are: jobs on campus, in the library, bookstore, etc.  The student is not required to pay taxes for this type of work.

 Money that MUST be paid back.  Must be enrolled at least half time.  Types of LOANS:  Student Subsidized Loan: government picks up the interest on the loan while the student is in school.  Student Unsubsized Loan: government doesn’t pay the interest on the loan. You can begin to the pay the interest as soon as you borrow the money or you can put it off paying while in school, just note that the interest will be added to what you borrowed. If you pay the interest while in school, you’ll pay less.  Parent Loans- Federal PLUS loans: Parents must apply, there’s a credit check and if granted parents start making payments right away.

 FREE Money  Must apply, no limit on how many you can apply to.  Most require letters of recommendation.  Eligibility requirements vary (for example some are based on GPA, talents, financial need, major, extracurricular activities, community service, ethnicity, church, etc…)

 The FSA ID is a username and password and its an electronic signature.  Start creating one for YOU and your parents also need to create one.

 Fill out the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application for the school year and submit by March 2 nd.  Look up your SAR (Student Aid Report), verify information and make corrections if needed.  Log in to your student account at each college you were accepted to and look up your Financial Aid Awards. Then Accept/Decline each award you were offered.

 Who can apply: The California Dream Act Application is for students who meet the qualifications of AB 540 An eligible AB 540 student is a student who: Attended a CA high school for 3+ years Graduated from a CA high school or the equivalent Enrolls in an accredited CA college or university  Must be enrolled at least half time  Maintain satisfactory academic progress In case of student without lawful immigration status, filed an affidavit with institution stating that he/she has filed an application to legalize status or will file as soon as he or she is eligible Website:

 Financial Aid Night: get information about what Financial Aid is and on how to fill out the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application  When: Wednesday, Dec. 9 th  Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm  English Presentation: LRHS Auditorium/Cafeteria  Spanish Presentation: LRHS Library  Cash for College Workshop: work on the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, do their workshop exit survey, submit FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by March 2.  Wednesday, Feb. 3rd  4:00pm-7:00pm  GHS Computer Lab…(sign up if you’re interested in attending in the Career Center or just drop in).

Cal Grant ( )   FAFSA   PIN CSS Profile (for some Private Colleges) SCHOLARSHIP