How To Apply For Financial Aid

Topics to be Covered What is the FAFSA? Obtaining a FSA User ID FAFSA Application Types of Financial Aid Cal Grant DREAM Application

What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid available starting January 1, 2016 Priority Deadline: MARCH 2, 2016 Used for federal, state, and some institutional aid –Grants, Work-Study and Federal Student loans

Federal Student Aid User ID & Password Your electronic signature Each person must obtain one Used to file the FAFSA, and access other federal websites Can be requested during the FAFSA application or online at: –

FAFSA Application Step 1 - Student Demographics Step 2 - School Selection Step 3 - Dependency Status Step 4 - Parent Information Step 5 - Financial Information Step 6 - Parent/Student Household Step 7 - Signatures

Step 1 - Student Demographics General information about the student –name, address, SSN, date of birth, degree objective, etc. Name must match legal name on Social Security Card –Do not use nicknames or abbreviations of your name Selective Service –If male and 18+ must register with Selective Service Address –Suggest you provide. If provided, notifications received more quickly by

Step 2 – School Selection Option to list up to 10 colleges that will receive your FAFSA Search feature available to search for schools or you can directly enter the school code –University of La Verne: Housing Plans –On Campus (dorms) –With Parent –Off Campus

Step 3 – Dependency Questions Born before January 1, 1993 Married Seeking Master’s or Doctorate program Have children or dependents Serving in U.S. Armed forces or a Veteran Parents deceased since turned 13 years old Emancipated minor, ward of court, legal guardianship Homeless or at risk of being homeless

Step 4 – Parent Information Parent(s) is defined as: –Biological, Adoptive or Step-parent Marital Status –Single –Married –Divorced –Widowed –Unmarried and both parents living together If parent does not have Social Security Number, report as People in parent’s household

Step 5 - Financial Information Student/Spouse and/or Parent Completed IRS Tax Return Include adjusted gross income for 2015 and earnings from work –Can provide estimate based on 2015 earnings –Update FAFSA when return is filed Include additional financial information and untaxed income

Step 5 - Financial Information Asset value as of the date FAFSA is completed Cash, savings and checking accounts Investments net worth Business net worth –Over 100 employees Investment & farms net worth –Do not include family farm

Step 6 – Household Independent Student List members of your household –Self –Spouse –Custodial Children –Others living in house that you/spouse provide more than 50% of support for and will continue to do so through June 30, 2017.

Step 6 – Household Dependent Students List members of your household –Parent(s) –Self –Siblings –Others living in house that parent provides more than 50% of support for and will continue to do so through June 30, 2017.

Sign and Submit Required –Student –One parent (dependent student) Ways to Submit –Electronically with FSA ID User name and password –Print Signature Page –Paper FAFSA (not recommended)

Confirmation When your application is processed you will be notified via (if you provided one). Your processed application is the: –Student Aid Report (SAR) –Summary of your FAFSA information Your processed application is sent to the schools you indicated on the application

Next... Schools determine federal, state, and institutional aid you qualify for. Schools send you an award notification showing what aid you qualify for. Schools may request additional information from you.

Types of Financial Aid Gift Aid Grants (federal, state, institutional) –Scholarships Work-Study Loans – student and parent

Federal Aid Programs Student Aid –Pell Grant –Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) –Federal Work-Study –Federal Student Loans Direct Subsidized - Need Based Direct Unsubsidized – Non Need Based Perkins Loan – Need Based

Federal Aid Programs Parent Aid – Parent PLUS Loan Credit based loan offered to parent or step-parent Fixed interest rate (set July 1 st ) Can be requested to cover any remaining educational costs for student

State Aid Programs Cal Grant A, B, or C CHAFEE Grant CA Dream Act (DACA Students) Only State Schools (UC/CSU/Community College) –Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) –Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOG) –Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP)

Cal Grant Program Deadline: March 2nd, Must meet GPA, income and assets ceilings Required Documents –FAFSA –GPA Verification Form School will file your GPA (check with your school) Student can obtain a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Must be certified by a school official and mailed to CSAC

California Dream Act of 2011 Allows students who meet certain criteria to apply for financial aid, such as: –Private Scholarships –State University Grant (CSU & UC) –Cal Grants, EOP Grants Applicants include: –AB540 students –Undocumented students –Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students

California Dream Act Application Application opens January 1, Eligibility –Attended a CA school for 3+ years AND graduated from a CA HS or equivalent –Attend a CA college or university Deadline: March 2nd, 2016 Submit GPA Verification

Institutional Aid Grants – typically need based Scholarships – typically merit based –Private (from outside donors) –Institutional (through the school) Loans Each school may offer different types of aid based on institutional resources. Check with each school you are applying to for additional information.

Other Aid Programs Other Scholarships/grants –Search engines online –Local community groups, clubs, businesses, churches, synagogues, etc. Vocational Rehab Veteran’s Benefits –Contact Veteran’s Affairs representative

Office of Financial Aid 1950 Third Street La Verne, CA (800) (phone) (909) (fax)

Questions