Financial Aid: How do I pay for my post secondary education?

1. Financial Aid:How do I pay for my post secondary education?

2. What is financial aid? Financial aid is money from federal, state and private institutions that's used to pay educational costs. There are five major categories of financial aid, and specific types of aid within each of those categories. Sources of financial aid include: *The federal government *The state government *Colleges and universities *Community groups, including religious and civic organizations, professional associations and corporations

3. How do I apply for financial aid?

4. You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year in high school. By completing • this application you have applied for funds awarded by most federal and state agencies. • The website is: FAFSA.gov

5. Applications are processed and results are sent to the colleges/technical schools you listed on the FAFSA. • Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be provided to you to confirm data (two to three weeks after submitting your application). If you file your FAFSA electronically, processing can take seven days. • Your post-secondary school will then provide you with an award letter outlining types of aid for which you are eligible. Further instructions will be included in the letter. • If the financial aid office has determined that you will need a loan, contact the financial aid administrator regarding the procedures to apply for federal loans. Follow the college's instructions to get the loan. •Apply for scholarships and grants specific to the school you are attending. Ask the financial aid office for scholarship/grant information and applications. • Apply for other scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible outside of the college or university. For more information, talk with your high school counselor.

6. Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) is Georgia's unique scholarship and grant program. It rewards students with financial assistance in degree, diploma, and certificate programs at eligible Georgia postsecondary institutions. Georgia's HOPE Program

7. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with their educational costs of attending college in Georgia. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program

8. To receive HOPE Scholarship funding, students must: 1) Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a 3.0 academic grade point average. 2) Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public or private college or university or technical college in Georgia. (Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree) Eligibility

9. 3) Meet HOPE's Georgia residency requirements. 4) Meet HOPE's U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements. 5) Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements. ELIGIBILITY

10. 6) Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990. A student may be ineligible for HOPE payment if he or she has been convicted for committing certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs. 7) Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program. 8) Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college. ELIGIBILITY

11. The money provided to HOPE Scholars varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific enrollment. HOPE currently covers a percentage of the amount of tuition for number of hours enrolled whether full time or part time at Georgia public colleges, universities, and in-state private institutions. Award Amounts

12. Student eligible for the Zell Miller Scholar program: Students graduating from an eligible high school with a GPA of at least 3.7 as calculated by GSFC and having received a score of at least 1200 combined CR and Math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT score of at least 26 OR having graduated from an eligible high school as the valedictorian or salutatorian Zell Miller Scholar Program

13. The Zell Miller Scholar Program will pay: •100% of the standard tuition charges at an eligible public postsecondary institution •100% of the HOPE award amount allowed for private colleges at an eligible private postsecondary institution. Zell miller award amounts

14. Only available for students seeking a certificate or diploma at a branch of the Technical College System of Georgia or a unit of the University System of Georgia. No minimum GPA is required from high school, however, students must meet achievement standards by earning a GPA of at least 3.0 at the 30 or 60 credit hour check. HOPE GRANT Program

15. HOPE Grant pays a percentage of the amount of the standard tuition charges. No students that have already earned a baccalaureate degree can receive HOPE Grant. What does HOPE Grant pay?

16. The guidance office posts a list of scholarships and opportunities on the Guidance Office website. New scholarships added daily! We also have links to free search engines. GACollege411.org has a scholarship search component. Internet sites like fastweb.com have FREE scholarship search engines. NEVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES!!! Scholarships

17. A copy of this power point is available from the guidance office website under “advisement”. A representative of the Georgia Student Finance Commission will be at MCHS on February 7th at 6:00 PM to discuss financial aid and the FAFSA application. A FAFSA worksheet is available at FAFSA.gov. NEVER pay anyone to fill out FAFSA information. FAFSA.gov is FREE! See Ms. Scarborough if you have questions or need help with college and scholarships. More information