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1 2005 High School Counselor Drive In Workshop
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2 Coordinated By: Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP) Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation (GLHEC)
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3 Thank You to Our Sponsors PLATINUM Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation TCF Bank Wells Fargo GOLD Collegiate Funding Services M&I Bank US Bank SILVER Anchorbank Bank One Citibank Student Loans Edamerica Educaid, Wachovia Bank First Federal Capital Bank Key Education Resources
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4 Today’s Agenda 8:00 - 8:30 Registration 8:30 – 9:00Welcome Review of Agenda and Packet Materials College Goal Sunday 9:00 – 10:00 Financial Aid Fundamentals 10:00 – 10:15Break 10:15 – 10:30HEAB Update 10:30 – 10:45 DPI Update 10:45 - 11:00 Special Topics 11:00 – 12:00FAFSA Demonstration
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5 Financial Aid Fundamentals
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6 Financing Your Education What is goal of financial aid? How is financial need determined? How do I apply? What is the role of the financial aid office? What aid is available?
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7 Goal of Financial Aid To assist students in paying for college. To provide opportunity and access to higher education.
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8 Basic Principles of Financial Aid The family has primary responsibility for financing postsecondary education. Financial aid is the BRIDGE
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9 Principles of Needs Analysis To the extent they are able, parents have primary responsibility to pay for their dependent children’s education. Students also have a responsibility to contribute to their educational costs. Families should be evaluated in their present financial condition. A family’s ability to pay for educational costs must be evaluated in an equitable and consistent manner, recognizing that special circumstances can and do affect a family’s ability to pay.
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10 Financial Aid Regulations Are determined by federal and state statutes and legislators Establish your eligibility for most types of aid Apply to all schools
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11 What Are the Costs? Tuition and Fees +Room and Board +Transportation +Books & Supplies +Miscellaneous Living Expenses =Cost of Attendance (COA)
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12 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) ( Federal Methodology established by U.S. Congress ) Determined by filing the FAFSA. Free Application for Federal Student Aid
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13 Main Determinants of the EFC Income Assets Family size Number in College Age of the older parent Adjustments to EFC may be made due to Verification and/or Special Circumstances that limit ability to pay
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14 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Is the sum of four separate calculations: Contribution from Parental Income Contribution from Parental Assets Contribution from Student Income Contribution from Student Assets
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15 Financial Need Defined Cost of Attendance (COA) – Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need
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16 Middle Income Student Family Size 4 Number in college 1 Parent AGI $61,980 Parent Untaxed Income$ 2,900 Parent’s Assets $45,000 Student’s AGI $ 4,468 Student’s Assets $ 1,000 Parent’s Contribution$ 9,325 (Parent’s Contribution from Assets = $0) +Student’s Contribution$ 1,106 (Student Income Contribution $756) (Student Contribution from Assets $350) =Expected Family Contribution:$10,431 (Note: 2005-2006 FM formula used)
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17 Financial Need Varies by School Cost 123 Cost$ 27,394$ 17,425$ 12,056 Less EFC$ 10,431 Need$ 16,963 X $ 6,994 Y $ 1,625 Z
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18 Financial Need Varies By School Cost
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19 You may be eligible for aid, but….. YOU MUST APPLY TO FIND OUT! And it’s free! File the FAFSA each year.
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20 Application Process Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to your school’s deadline (paper or electronic) Submit any institutional application materials (if required by your school) Apply for PIN through Department of Education Attain admission status Make sure to meet all required deadlines!
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21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid Collects family’s personal and financial information used to calculate the student’s EFC May file the FAFSA in one of two ways: 1. FAFSA on the Web 2. Paper FAFSA
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22 Paper vs. Electronic Filers Through Week 25 Since 2003-04 – Number of electronic filers has increased 40% Number of paper filers has decreased by more than 60% 88% of 2005-2006 FAFSAs are filed electronically! US Dept of Education Processing Update
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23 What IS a PIN? www.pin.ed.gov Personal Identification Number Students and parents can get PINs Electronic signature for FAFSA on the Web PIN delivered by e-mail within 24-36 hours (by regular mail in 7-10 days) Can also be used for: Renewal on the Web Corrections on the Web National Student Loan Database Signing promissory notes for student/parent loans (Perkins, Stafford, PLUS)
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24 The PIN Website Improved Home Page www.pin.ed.gov www.pin.ed.gov Fly-over text describes menu items Re-named “Change My Address” to “Update My Personal Information” Re-ordered main menu options so those most frequently used are at the top and are in logical order Flyover help text
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25 After you file the FAFSA Results are sent electronically to the college(s) the student selected. Students & Parents will receive the results of their FAFSA by e-mail (or regular mail) - Student Aid Report (SAR). Students may be required to verify the information submitted on the FAFSA (submit tax forms). Contact the college with any Special Circumstances. After the student is admitted to a college, a financial aid package will be prepared.
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26 CSS /PROFILE (used by some private schools) Collects additional data colleges need Targets non-federal funds Financial need (ability to pay) vs. federal eligibility (EFC) Supports Institutional Methodology (IM) as well as Federal Methodology (FM) Supports early estimates/early admission
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27 Timelines The earliest a student can file the FAFSA for the 2006-2007 academic year - January 1, 2006. Check with the colleges at which the student plans to apply for institutional deadlines and requirements. Failure to apply early may result in less aid even if eligible. Students must re-apply for aid every year. Renewal notification is sent to students towards the end of each calendar year.
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28 What is Financial Aid? Scholarships Grants Loans Employment opportunities
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29 Three primary sources of funding: US Department of Education the federal agency that provides college funding in the form of grants, scholarships and loans States most states have agencies that administer state scholarship and grant programs, college savings and prepaid tuition programs, and loans. (In WI it is HEAB, the Higher Educational Aids Board.) Colleges & Universities schools may offer their own scholarship, grant, work-study and loan programs, with each college setting its requirements
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30 Gift Aid (FREE $$$) Grants & Scholarships Federal (Administered by schools) Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) State (Administered by HEAB, DPI-WEOP & Schools) Institutional (Endowment funds from Schools) Private (Various outside organizations)
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31 Self-Help Aid Loans (must be repaid with interest) Federal Perkins Loan Federal Stafford Loans (school determines the loan program) Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Federal PLUS Loan (Parents) State Loans Institutional Loans Private-Alternative Loans Employment (must be earned as wages) Federal Work-Study Institutional Work-Study Programs Off Campus employment
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32 Other Financing Options School Payment Plans (spread over several months) Home Equity Loans (longer repayment, tax deductible) Life Insurance Policy Loans Pension Plan Loans 529 Plan withdrawals
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33 Need versus Merit Aid Aid based on financial need Most government grants Subsidized student loans Federal Work-Study Aid based on merit Academic and athletic scholarships Some government grants Some scholarships require merit and need
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34 Government Resources Corporation for National and Community Service Veteran’s benefits ROTC Scholarships and/or stipends Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Grants State Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Health and Human Services Loan and Scholarship Programs
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35 Other Sources of Funds Parental Affiliations Employers & Labor Unions Religious and Community Organizations Clubs and Civic groups Civic organization scholarships High School Local Public Library Private business scholarships
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36 FREE Scholarship Services
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37 Role of the Financial Aid Office Answers your questions Determines financial need eligibility for various types of financial aid Verifies applicant data when required Develops policy and procedures to distribute aid Packages aid from all available sources Sends award notification letters/e-mails with information on: Costs Amount awarded from each aid program How and when aid will be disbursed Terms and conditions of student’s award
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38 How to Compare College Financial Aid Offers Start with tuition, fees, room and board Subtract grant and scholarship offers only The difference is your “net cost” Always compare net cost Do not subtract Federal Work Study as a lump sum disbursement
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39 Award Package Comparison School?1.2.3. Cost of Attending? (Includes?)$$$ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from FAFSA/SAR? $$$ Need (Cost-EFC)?$$$ Aid Package: Gift Aid: Grants & Scholarships 1. $ Renewable? $ Renewable? $ Renewable? 2.$ Renewable? $ Renewable? $ Renewable? Work Sources$$$ Loans (Type and Interest rate): 1. ( %)$$$ 2. ( %)$$$ Unmet Need (Cost – EFC- Aid)
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40 Sample Questions for the Financial Aid Office 1) What is the average cost for the first year? Estimates for future years? 2) Does applying for aid affect the admission decision? 3) What type of aid does the school have? Need-based or Merit? 4) What applications, besides the FAFSA, are needed to apply for aid? 5) What is the priority deadline date for all types of financial aid? 6) When will I be notified about a financial aid award? 7) How does the aid package normally change from year to year? 8) What are the conditions of the aid package? 9) Is there an opportunity to appeal if the package isn’t enough? 10) How does the College bill for tuition, fees, etc.?
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41 Role of the Business Office Calculates tuition, meals and other fees Sends billing statements Credits financial aid to the student’s account Sets up payment plans, if available Processes student checks Returns financial aid funds that are unearned Collects payments for charges on student’s account Sends out 1098T for tax purposes
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42 Questions?????
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43 BREAK 10:00 - 10:15am
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2005 High School Guidance Counselor Workshops State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board
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45 Financial Aid is a… …Shared Responsibility Students Parents State and Federal Governments Private Sources
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46 Goals of State Financial Aid Eliminate financial barriers and ensure educational opportunity for all Wisconsin citizens consistent with their individual abilities, interests, and ambitions. Support educational diversity by allowing students freedom to choose among the various educational offerings.
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47 Who May Receive State Aid? State financial aid is available to residents of the State of Wisconsin enrolled at non-profit colleges and universities based in Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin System Wisconsin Technical Colleges Independent Colleges & Universities Tribal Colleges
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48 Who May Not Receive State Aid? State statutes prohibit students from receiving state financial aid who are: Not registered with Selective Service Listed on the Dept. of Workforce Development’s statewide Child Support Lien Docket. (Students on the Lien Docket may still receive state loans.)
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49 Applying for State Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid HEAB receives FAFSA data for all Wisconsin residents. The FAFSA is the only application for Wisconsin's 2 major grant programs: Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (UW, Technical Colleges, Tribal Colleges) Wisconsin Tuition Grant (Independent Colleges & Universities)
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50 State Financial Aid Programs Programs for Students with Financial Need Student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Wisconsin Higher Education Grant Wisconsin Tuition Grant Programs for Students with Financial Need who must also meet Additional Requirements - FAFSA and additional Application or Nomination Hearing & Visually Handicapped Student Grant Indian Student Assistance Grant Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant Nursing Student Loan Talent Incentive Program Grant Programs Not Based on Financial Need - Do not require the FAFSA Academic Excellence Scholarship Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity Program Minority Teacher Loan Teacher of the Visually Impaired Loan
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51 Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) Awarded to Wisconsin’s top high school seniors who are residents of Wisconsin, and are US citizens or permanent US residents. Earned by the high school senior with the highest cumulative grade point average in the class at the end of the fall semester of senior year. Up to $2250 per year, for up to four years, toward tuition at participating Wisconsin colleges or universities. HEAB notifies the college of the student’s AES award, and the college and HEAB jointly disburse the money and apply it directly to the tuition. Certificates are sent to the high schools for your AES winners.
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52 Academic Excellence Scholarship (cont’d) The number of Academic Excellence Scholarships that may be awarded per school is based on student enrollment, as shown in the following table: EnrollmentNumber of Scholarships 1-79total of 10 available 80-4991 500-9992 1000-14993 1500-19994 2000-24995 Over 25006 HEAB determines the number of scholarships for each school based on Department of Public Instruction fall enrollment reports.
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53 AES High School Timeline JANUARY - High schools receive forms, instructions, notification of number of scholarships available for individual schools (based on school enrollment), and a copy of the State of Wisconsin Statutes and Rules which pertain to the AES. FEBRUARY 15 - deadline for high school guidance counselors to submit Academic Excellence Scholar names to HEAB.
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54 AES High School Timeline (cont’d) MARCH -Students who have earned the Academic Excellence Scholarship are contacted by HEAB asking them to verify their intent to accept the scholarship, and asking which participating school they plan to attend. HEAB begins the alternate selection process. MAY - HEAB sends AES certificates to high schools.
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55 AES Tips for Guidance Counselors The scholarship recipient(s) you list should be the student(s) with the highest cumulative GPAs at the end of the fall semester of senior year, regardless of whether or not they plan to accept the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Your districts are required to have a tie-breaking strategy in place in the event that more than one student shares the highest cumulative GPA. If you have an un-weighted, or traditional, grading system, alternates for the AES must have the very same GPA as the winner of the AES.
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56 AES Tips (cont’d) If you have a weighted grading system, alternates are listed in order of the next highest GPAs. The cumulative GPA for each student should be reported exactly as it is shown on your official high school transcript. If possible, student names should be written exactly as the student wishes it to appear on the certificate. Schools are encouraged to alert all recipients and alternates of their AES status as early as possible.
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57 Receiving State Financial Aid HEAB notifies the college or university financial aid offices of each student’s eligibility for state financial aid. The financial aid offices include the state aid in the student’s financial aid package.
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58 Contacting HEAB State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board P.O. Box 7885 Madison, WI 53707-7885 (608) 267-2206Fax: (608) 267-2808 E-Mail: HEABmail@heab.state.wi.us Web Page: http://heab.wisconsin.gov
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59 Questions? Comments?
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60 Department of Public Instruction Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP)
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61 WEOP Offices 620 Beaser Avenue Ashland, WI 54806 (715)682-7975 204 E. Grand Avenue 5 th Floor Eau Claire, WI 54701 (715)836-3171 2140 Holmgren Way Green Bay, WI 54304 (920)492-5745 101 W. Pleasant Street Suite 204 Milwaukee, WI 53212 (414)227-4466 125 South. Webster Street Room 309 PO Box 7841 Madison, WI 53707-7841 (608)267-1058 2113 N. Wisconsin Racine, WI 53402 (262)638-7370 133 River Drive Wausau, WI 54403 (715)842-0871
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62 What is WEOP? WEOP’s purpose is to help educationally and economically disadvantaged students continue their education through select statewide programs.
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63 WEOP Programs State and Federal Talent Search Programs Early Identification Program (EIP) Federal GEAR UP Program (GU) Federal Upward Bound Program (UB) PreCollege Scholarship Program Talent Incentive Grant Program (TIP)
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64 State Talent Search Program Individual advising regarding financial aid, admissions and careers. Assist with the college application process. Identify and recommend students for the TIP Grant. Recommend students for the GEAR UP scholarship. Assist students in identifying scholarship sources. Make financial aid presentations to parents, students, and community groups.
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65 EIP, FTS, UB, GU Guidelines Grades 6-12 Programs are provided to: Targeted School Districts Students who meet federal income guidelines Programs emphasize: Academic Achievement Tutoring Mentoring Parent Involvement College Visits Early Awareness
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66 GEAR UP Scholarship Eligible participants: Are GEAR UP, EIP or Federal Trio students who are eligible for the TIP grant. Must be nominated by a WEOP Counselor. Must attend a public, private, or technical college in Wisconsin. Can receive this renewable scholarship for 10 consecutive semesters of attendance.
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67 Pre-College Scholarship Program Available to Wisconsin students grades 6-12. Must be eligible for free or reduced lunch. Must have a 2.0 or better GPA to receive a scholarship. Covers tuition, books, supplies, room and board. Application must be signed by guidance counselor, teacher, principal or WEOP counselor and a parent or legal guardian.
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68 Talent Incentive Program (TIP) TIP Grant Purpose: Assist low-income students with limited financial resources.
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69 Benefits of the TIP Grant Grant ranges from $600-$1800 per year. Automatically renewable if student applies for financial aid and is continuously enrolled at least half time. Available for 10 consecutive semesters.
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70 TIP Guidelines Must be a WI resident. Attend a WI technical, public or private college/university. Be a first time college freshman. (A student who has been enrolled in a post-secondary institution for less than two semesters at half time or greater status since attending high school.) Must meet the following criteria:
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71 TIP Criteria A student must meet one criteria from Group A and one from Group B. Group A is based on financial need. Group B is based on other factors. The criteria is based on dependent or independent status for financial aid purposes.
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72 Group A Dependent Student 1. Parent contribution at or below $200. 2. Family receives TANF benefits. 3. Parents unemployed and have no current income from employment.
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73 Group A Independent Student 1. A student contribution at or below $200. 2. A student receives TANF benefits. 3. A student is unemployed and receives no income from employment.
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74 Group B A student must meet one of these criteria: Be a member of a minority group. Be enrolled in a special academic support program at college. Be first generation (neither parent graduated from a 4-year college). Is disabled. Be formerly incarcerated. Have special family circumstances that may deter the student from pursuing a post-secondary education.
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75 Required Documentation College Letter of Acceptance or Class Schedule Student Aid Report (SAR) Student and Parent prior year tax forms (if filed) Verification of untaxed income Financial Aid Award Letter
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76 How to apply? Contact your nearest WEOP office
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77 Thanks! Questions or Comments…
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78 Special Topics in Financial Aid Scholarship Scams FAFSA Scams Federal Methodology Special Circumstances Processing Tool Kit Demonstration
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79 College Scholarship Fraud Scams net $5 million annually 350,000 students/parents affected Selling what you can get for free Never pay to find a scholarship! Never pay a scholarship provider to apply!
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80 Scholarship Scam Warning Signs “A list of scholarships is guaranteed” “I just need your credit card number” “Please enclose a $5 processing fee” “You’ve been selected” by a group you never heard of “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered
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81 FTC Consumer Alert: the FREE Financial Aid Seminar Direct mail marketing to parents Scare tactics Exaggerated claims Phony guarantees High-pressure sales pitches
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82 Avoid Being Scammed For information about financial aid scams and tips to avoid being scammed check: Department of Education’s web site at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/lsa/index. html Federal Trade Commission’s web site at: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/publs/alerts/ouchart.htm To check the legitimacy of scholarship search organizations or individuals check Better Business Bureau’s web site at: http://www.bbb.com/
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83 CAUTION! Avoid being charged a fee to file the FAFSA Processes of completing and processing the FAFSA are FREE If filing FAFSA on the Web, make sure you go directly to: www.fafsa.ed.gov (not www.fafsa.com) www.fafsa.ed.gov Contact the financial aid office if you need help in completing the FAFSA
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84 Special Circumstances? Call the Financial Aid Office Divorce/Separation Loss of income or benefits One-time income Death or Disability of student or parent Medical/Dental expenses not covered by insurance Elementary or secondary school tuition Dependency override (Note: Professional Judgement is at the sole discretion of each institution.)
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85 Professional Judgment by Financial Aid Administrators Overrides are determined by each institution on a case by case basis. Another institution cannot automatically accept an ‘override’. The override must recognize the unique situation of the student and must be documented.
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86 For Federal Methodology (FM) Who is a Parent? Two biological parents married to each other Divorced or separated parents Stepparent Widowed parent Legal adoptive parent
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87 Divorced/Separated Issues FAFSA is to be completed by parent with whom the student is living. If parent has remarried, stepparent information must be included on the FAFSA. Some higher cost schools will ask for a Divorced/Separated Supplement to be completed on other parent to determine eligibility for college programs.
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88 Independent Student Definition At least 24 years old; Graduate or professional student; Married; Has child for whom student provides more than half support; Has dependent other than child or spouse who lives with student and for whom provides more than half support; Orphan or ward of the court; Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; or Determined to be independent by the financial aid administrator (Parents refusal to provide support or financial data is insufficient to make a student independent regardless of tax filing status)
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89 Application Volumes: 2004-05 and 2005- 06 Processing Statistics 8,155,436 8,155,436 2004-05 FAFSAs processed as of June 19, 2004 8,354,842 8,354,842 2005-06 FAFSAs processed as of June 19, 2005 That’s a 2.5% increase! US Dept of Education Processing Update FINANCIAL AID PROCESSING UPDATE
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90 FAFSA on the Web and Renewal FAFSA on the Web Section 1 of FAFSA on the Web Home Page Link to State Deadlines added back School code search link added back New printable checklist of items needed to complete application The Application Option to apply for a PIN within the application presented only if applicant does not electronically sign at beginning of the session
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91 FAFSA on the Web and Renewal FAFSA on the Web When applicants encounter a verifiable reject condition, they cannot click “okay.” They must either: Correct the data, or If data is correct, re-enter the data in a pop-up box Improved instructions for “Process my application now without signatures” at the end of the application to: Improve applicants’ understanding of what they need to do next to complete signature process Ensure applicants successfully transmit application data
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92 FAFSA on the Web and Renewal FAFSA on the Web Parents with multiple children in college can continue to transfer information to additional applications In 2006-07, link on confirmation page to “Begin a new application with parent data already filled in?” will display only for -- Dependent students Independent students who provided parent data on the application
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93 E-Mail Correspondence When e-mails with links to SAR information on the Web are returned as undeliverable, a paper SAR or SAR Acknowledgement will be generated and mailed to student Spanish e-mail notifications will be sent to students and parents who submitted Spanish-language applications and provided valid e-mail addresses Paper SARs will be printed on blue paper for 2006-2007
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94 FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov Complete and send FAFSA on the internet directly to federal processor Saves 7-21 days compared to paper FAFSA Access from anywhere Automatically edits data as you enter it and detects errors before submission Skip logic: asks only what you must answer English or Spanish versions Electronic Signature E-mail notification of results Detailed online help screens Real-time online chat for immediate answers Instant access to EFC estimate Advantages to Applying Online:
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95 FAFSA on the Web Apply Renewal English and Spanish options Access PIN Web site Check status of application View SAR information Make corrections www.fafsa.ed.gov
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96 There is always the 2006-07 Paper FAFSA 2006-07 FAFSA Blue for Students Blue for Students Purple for Parents Purple for Parents FAFSA will include –Return receipt postcard –Insert No new questions Questions follow same order as last year
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97 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet ED Seal added for more “official” look Paper FAFSA question “numbers” added Reformatted for ease of use
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98 Student Aid Communications FAFSA on the Web FAFSA on the Web Student Aid Report (SAR) Student Aid Report (SAR) E-mail Notifications E-mail Notifications Paper FAFSA Paper FAFSA
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99 FAFSA on the Web Toolkits Mailed in October to -- Postsecondary schools High schools State agencies Libraries PTAs TRIO Centers Gear Up NCAN Toolkits will include – FOTW Brochure PIN Brochure Poster Tips Card Web-Link Graphics Flyer FAA Access Flyer
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100 Frequent FAFSA Errors Missing Signatures/PIN Wrong Social Security Number Divorced/remarried parent information Income earned by parents/stepparents Untaxed income U.S. income taxes paid Household size Number in postsecondary education Real estate and investment net worth Not using real name NOT APPLYING AT ALL
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101 Web Demonstration Site FAFSA on the Web and FAA Access demonstration sites will be available later this year To access sites, go to http://fafsademo.test.ed.gov Enter: User Name: eddemo Password: fafsatest Click on FOTW or FAA Access buttons at bottom of screen to access demo site Available until following December
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102 FAFSA Demonstration At this time we will log into the FAFSA demo website to complete an application.
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103 Questions? Comments? How can we help you? What challenges do you have? Do you need assistance with your financial aid night?
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104 THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING!!! Please complete the evaluation.
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