1. uh.edu/dsaes Guiding Your Student Through Financial Aid

2. uh.edu/dsaes Overview Financial Aid – What is financial aid? – Types of financial aid How to Apply Scholarships Other Alternatives Housing Your Role Student Business Services FERPA-Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Questions

3. uh.edu/dsaes Financial Aid What is financial aid? – Financial aid is any type of financial assistance (federal and non- federal) provided to a student to help fund their educational career Types of Aid – Scholarships-awarded based on merit – Grants-state and institutional, need based – Loans-must be repaid, need and non-need based – Work-Study-provides work experience, need based – Third Party Waivers-assists with tuition payment

4. uh.edu/dsaes How to Apply for FAFSA 1.File tax return 2.Student and Parent apply for FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.govwww.fsaid.ed.gov 3.Complete the FAFSA application www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov – Utilize the Data Retrieval Tool to import date from www.IRS.govwww.IRS.gov 4.Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) with your student 5.Provide any requested documentation via the To-Do list in a timely manner 6.Advise your student to review their financial aid via their self-service account and accept or decline awards and complete other requirements

5. uh.edu/dsaes Scholarships University Scholarships – Academic Excellence Scholarship Eligible for renewal – Can be invited to compete for other university scholarships State Scholarships – Top Ten Percent Eligible for renewal Departmental Scholarships – Please check with the college of your major to determine eligibility

6. uh.edu/dsaes Research Scholarships for 2015-2016

7. uh.edu/dsaes Other Alternatives Parent Plus loans – Apply online www.studentloans.gov www.studentloans.gov – Based on credit worthiness – Parent is responsible for repayment of loan if approved – Student will receive an additional Unsubsidized loan if denied Private or Alternative loan – Student applies online with lender of their choosing – Based on credit worthiness and may need co-signer – Once approved, application will be sent to the school for processing

8. uh.edu/dsaes Housing Financial aid is typically utilized to cover mandatory tuition and fees Once the balance has been satisfied, any left over funds will be processed as a refund to the student’s preferred method The refund can be utilized to cover housing expenses or other educational expenses

9. uh.edu/dsaes Maximizing aid Do your taxes early Apply through the FAFSA by March 15 th state priority deadline Provide the information needed well before the deadline or peak periods of the semester (i.e. July and August for fall, December and January for spring) Continually search for scholarships www.uh.edu/scholarshipswww.uh.edu/scholarships Make sure your son/daughter understands the terms and conditions of every scholarship, grant, loan and work-program accepted. Ask questions-if you or your student do not understand something, please don’t be afraid to ask questions!

10. uh.edu/dsaes FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records Schools must have written permission form the student in order to release any information from a student’s education record FERPA Form – Password must be provided for over the phone access

11. uh.edu/dsaes Questions? Contact Our Office Welcome Center Mon & Tues: 8am-7pm Wed-Fri: 8am-5pm Phone 713.743.1010 option 5 Live Chat https://uhhelpdesk.custhelp.com/ app/chat/chat_launch