30 minutes could save you thousands FINANCIAL AID

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO HAVE EARNED ACCEPTANCES! Requests!! 1.Please update Naviance account with the result of accepted, waitlisted, or denied. (colleges tab, colleges I’m applying to, click the edit pencil) 2.If you get a scholarship award letter, please drop off a copy to the guidance office. The total amount of scholarships awarded to the senior class will be announced at graduation. Individual scholarship information will be kept confidential.

WHAT WE WILL COVER Federal student aid State student aid Student aid from colleges Scholarships from other sources

FINANCIAL AID SUPPORT January 12 th – Financial Aid Parent Information Night 7PM – QPAC Joyce Farmer of the financial aid department at DeSales University will present information about the financial aid process and will field general questions Snow date is January 19 th February 9 th – FAFSA Completion Night 5:00 to 6:30 PM – Location TBD This is a work session, not a presentation Participants can come at 5:00, 5:30, or 6:00 Families will have access to a computer lab so they can start and hopefully complete their online FAFSA application A member of PHEAA (Frances McKeown) will assist any participants who have questions while filling out the application Prior registration is mandatory. Students can sign up in the guidance office or parents can Mr. Gozzard at

5 WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? Financial aid is any assistance to help students fund their education. It can take the form of: Grants Loans Work-study Scholarships Merit Aid – Awarded to students based on academic performance or other skills Needs Based Aid – Based on financial need

SOURCES OF AID: Federal – Loans and grants State – PHEAA grants Educational Institutions Outside or Private Organizations Civic Organizations Parents Employers Schools 6

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? Step 1 - You and your parent/guardian must go to… NEW PROCESS – Both you and your parent/guardian must get a new federal student aid ID. Step 2 – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at… official This is the official website for requesting federal student aid.

HOW TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA *The PIN is now the FSA ID

REVIEW OF STEPS 1. You and your parent/guardian will need to create a federal student aid identification (FSA ID) 2. Gather needed documents Social Security Numbers W-2 Forms from 2015 Completed Taxes for Go on 4. Complete the document 5. On the confirmation page of the FAFSA, click on the PA state link to apply for state aid 6. Monitor your and mail for application status updates

ONCE FAFSA HAS BEEN SUBMITTED

SAMPLE AWARD LETTERS ADD Drexel Award Letter Tuition, room, board (food) = $45,600 (14-15) $45,600 - $33,951 $11,649 Student will still need to pay $11,649 for the year and will need to pay back $5500 worth of federal students loans. (loan repayment generally starts 6 months after graduation)

SAMPLE AWARD LETTERS ADD PSU Letter Tuition, room, board (food) = $33,576 $33,576 - $16,235 $17,341 Student will still need to pay $17,341 for the year and will need to pay back $5500 worth of federal students loans. (loan repayment generally starts 6 months after graduation)

DECIDING ON WHICH SCHOOL Be sure you have visited the campus – more than once if possible. Do you see yourself being comfortable on this campus for the next 4 years? Is the distance from home acceptable? Is the amount of loans or money you will have to pay out of pocket feasible? Multiply the amount of loans you are taking out over 4 to 5 years. Does the potential job you could get pay well enough to pay off the loans you have taken out? See the “career” tab on Naviance for salary information. Attend the college/trade school because it is right for you, not because a friend or significant other is going as well.

RESPONSIBLE BORROWING

SMART BORROWING Go to

SCHOLARSHIPS YOU CAN APPLY FOR Naviance has a scholarship list of local and regional scholarships and a “national college search” tool as well. Check out the financial aid web page of schools where you have applied. They may offer a scholarship list. Avoid Scholarship Scams Never pay to apply for a scholarship Never give your Social Security Number when applying for a scholarship (you will need to give your SSN to colleges and FAFSA) Do not give your bank or credit card information Investigate your employer and parents’ employer for scholarships Church and local civic organizations