1. University High School, October 11, 2016, 6:15-7:15pm
Building Bridges to Post-Secondary Success
University High School,
October 11, 2016, 6:15-7:15pm
Session 5: How Do I Pay for College?
Please remember to enjoy some refreshments before and after the session in the culinary arts lounge outside the PAC.

2. Goals
To ensure families have the needed information to guarantee students the opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, regardless of their financial status.
Beginning course details and/or books/materials needed for a class/project.

3. Essential Questions
What kinds of financial assistance is available for students wanting to pursue post-secondary education?
How does a student apply for financial aid?
What kinds of documentation is necessary when applying?
Where is help available?
A schedule design for optional periods of time/objectives.

4. Introduction of Guests
Dr. Scott McClanahan, Director, Office of Advanced Academic Studies, Waco ISD
Ms. Robbie Stabeno, Director of Scholarships and MAC program, Waco Foundation
Ms. Brittany Davis, Academic Advisor, University High
Ms. Shawntee Reed, College and Career Readiness Counselor, Waco High
Ms. Samantha Smith, Administrative Assistant, Office of Advanced Academic Studies, Waco ISD
Introductory notes.

5. MAC College Money Program makes sure that finding money for college is easy for anyone in McLennan County who wants to get a degree.

6. As well as any deadlines you must meet!
Look at the college website of all your possible colleges.

7. How do I get money to pay for college and where do I start?
Financial Aid and the FAFSA
How do I get money to pay for college and where do I start?

8. How do I pay for college?
CollegeforAllTexans.com

9. Federal Student Aid

10. Call or email us we can help!!
FAFSA.GOV

11. Be sure to use IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Deadline?
The earlier the better, but you should compete by at least March 1st January1st.
State of Texas priority deadline is March 15th (This may change)
If your college is out of state their priority deadline may be even earlier
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for school year anytime after October 1st
Be sure to use IRS Data Retrieval Tool

12. The winners receive State Aid and possibly Institutional Aid !
Your competing with all the other students planning to attend! The FAFSA is your entry form.
The winners receive State Aid and possibly Institutional Aid !

13. Before you Start the FAFSA!
FSAID.ED.GOV
Student and One Parent both need to create

14. Parent and Student email must be different!
Create an extra address if necessary.
You do not have to use an address but it is recommended.

15. Be sure you go to the correct website! FAFSA.GOV
This one is free other websites will charge you for submitting the FAFSA.

16. Can I just use my own income?
Probably not but there are a few exceptions!

17. The FAFSA: Independent?
You are married
You are pursuing a graduate degree
You are or have been on active duty
You have children or dependents you support
Your parents are both deceased
You are or were a ward of the court, in foster care, or an emancipated minor
You are under a legal guardianship, as determined by the court
You are homeless or at risk of being homeless
There are special circumstances
If you are under the age of 24 when you submit your FAFSA, you will need to report parents’ financial information unless any of these apply to you.
You must have supporting documents

18. The FAFSA: Who is considered a parent
Biological Parent
Adoptive Parent
Step Parent living with a biological Parent
No one else can be reported as a parent.
If your parents are divorced, choose the parent you are living with or stayed with the most over the last year.
If you don’t live with a parent you will report information on the last parent you lived with.
It does not matter who claims you on their tax return

19. The FAFSA: Parent and Student Information

20. SAR: Student Aid Report
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid EFC: Expected Family Contribution
SAR: Student Aid Report
FAFSA
EFC
SAR
Up to Ten Schools!
The EFC number determines your need and the college uses it to award Federal, State and Campus Based Aid.

21. The FAFSA: Parent and Student Assets
You will have to report any money in accounts under Student or Parent Social Security Number
Student assets can lower the funding the student receives.
Since current assets are reported (as of today), you will want all bank accounts at their lowest when you submit your FAFSA.
There are some assets that don’t have to be reported.

22. The Award Package will cover up to your Student Need
Cost of Attendance*
Less EFC
Student Need
*Total cost including tuition, fees, books and living expenses

23. Student Loans: The basics
Go into repayment 6 months after you stop attending college
Student is responsible!
Amount limited by year and lifetime limits
Low Interest Rate
Some are interest free while in college (Subsidized Loans)
Federal and State loan programs
There are also parent loans available

24. Other Financial Aid Scholarships (from the College or outside source)
Federal Teach Grant (StudentAid.gov)
Scholarships for Health Care Fields (HRSA.gov)
Texas College Access Loan (CAL Loan-CollegeforAllTexans.com)
Alternative Loans

25. Financial Aid Reality Check
College costs are up and financial aid is down:
Dependent Student
Independent Student
Maximum Pell Grant
$5,815
Maximum Loans (for an incoming Freshman)
$5,500
$9,500
Total
$11,315
$15,315
Reality Check:
Without other funds what colleges can you afford?

27. Scholarships Scholarship search engines
Fastweb
Scholarships.com
College Board
Cappex
Zinch
CollegeNet
Read over financial aid info on the websites of the colleges you are considering. Check out scholarship opportunities and deadlines.
Apply for Scholarships at all colleges to which you apply for admissions.
Local scholarships
Follow WacoMac – Twitter or Facebook

28. Check On Your Financial Aid

29. After the FAFSA is Processed
Never assume the college has all the paperwork they need from you:
Read your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Check for s from you college
Contact financial aid at your college
The college Financial Aid department is separate from their Admissions department

30. Once your financial aid is awarded be sure you accept it through your account at the college website!

31. Need Help with the FAFSA?
The MAC College Money Program offers free assistance to anyone needing help with the FAFSA and have done so for 22 years.
We help complete around 2,000 FAFSAs per year!

32. MAC College Money Program
Every high school senior in McLennan County may apply to the MAC College Money Program before May 1st
We offer a MAC Grant and a MAC Scholarship
You can apply online at WacoFoundation.org
Current MAC recipients

33. MAC College Money Program
MAC Grant Eligibility Criteria
Student graduates from a McLennan County High School or GED Program or is a McLennan County resident graduating from an out of county high school
Student’s family earns less than $50,000 or has special circumstances
Student submits a MAC College Money Program Application by May 1st of his or her high school senior year

34. MAC College Money Program
MAC Grant
A last dollar grant that covers the tuition not paid by other scholarships and grants up to $1,000 per semester for two years
The MAC Grant may only be used at MCC or TSTC, unlike the MAC Scholarship

35. MAC College Money Program
MAC Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Student has earned 60 college credit hours and has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Student has been accepted into the MAC College Money Program
Student submitted a MAC Scholarship Application by December 1st of his or her college sophomore year

36. MAC College Money Program
MAC Scholarship: How Much?
$5,000 scholarship ($1,250 per semester) for two years or until you receive your Bachelor's degree at any college or university whichever comes first.
Three students transferring from MCC receive a full scholarship to Baylor University for their last two years, Based on GPA
Eligibility for MAC Scholarship: Student must have submitted their MAC College Money Program application during their high school senior year, so apply now!!

37. Why Submit A MAC College Money Program Application?
No cost to you, we only require that you submit a FAFSA and MAC Application by May 1st
Even if you are not planning to attend MCC or TSTC, you can get money later from MAC Scholarship Program
Even if your family currently makes more than $50,000, if your situation changes you can be reconsidered in the future but you must have initially applied in high school.

38. Need More Help? Give Us A Call and Make An Appointment!
Robbie Stabeno, MAC and Scholarships Director
Jessica McAdoo, MAC Program Coordinator
Look for us online:
WacoMAC
Find us at the Waco Foundation:
WacoFoundation.org
1227 N Valley Mills, Ste 235
Waco, TX 76710
Phone:
Fax: