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Financial Aid Workshop for Middle School Professionals

Join us for a workshop to promote financial aid understanding, prepare students and parents to pay for college, and provide support for success in a global economy. Learn about factors for success, dispel myths about financial aid, have college conversations with students, and explore different types of financial aid including scholarships and Louisiana state aid such as TOPS.

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Financial Aid Workshop for Middle School Professionals

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  1. Earlier Awareness, Building Closer Community Connections between Financial Aid and Middle Schools Workshop for Financial Aid Professionals Brittani Williams, M.A. March 14th, 2019 LASFAA Spring 2019 Conference

  2. LOSFA’s Mission: To Promote, Prepare, and Provide College Access

  3. Session Objectives At the end of this session professionals will be able to • Promote Financial Aid Understanding • Prepare Students AND Parents To Pay For College • Provide Support For Success

  4. In a global economy where the mostvaluable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a prerequisite. – President Barack Obama

  5. Promote. Prepare. Provide. The promotion starts with us! In order to prepare middle school students for college and to best help them understand financial aid, they must first understand that a college education is a long-term investment. With careful planning you can find the school and funding options that work best for your situation and put you on the path to success. To provide support and understanding, you have to keep in mind all of the factors that contribute to educating middle school students

  6. Factor for Success (1):Parental Involvement

  7. Factor for Success (1):Parental Involvement (1) We must encourage parents to talk to their child(ren) about his or her interests and help match those interests with a college major and career. (2) Encourage parents to help their child develop good study habits, such as studying at the same time and place every day and having the necessary materials to complete assignments. (3) Talk to parents about saving for college. START accounts are good investments to make

  8. Factor for Success (1a):dispelling myths “…My child can’t receive financial aid because I am currently in school receiving financial aid. Some parents are not aware that financial aid is inclusive of: federal, state, institutional, and private money 8

  9. Factor for Success (1a):dispelling myths “…my parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.” Merit based aid like TOPS is not based on household income, & the FAFSA is accepted as the award application 9

  10. In our democracy every young person should have an equal opportunity to obtain a higher education, regardless of his station in life or financial means.– President John F. Kennedy

  11. Factor for Success (2):College Conversations

  12. Factor for Success (2):College Conversations Activities With The Class • Actively listen to and question the students about their futures and their plans for after high school. • Talk to the students about potential career paths and the steps it takes to get there. to help them think about the intersections between personal interests, career paths , courses, and required education. • Explain that “college” means: 4-year, 2-year, technical/vocational programs

  13. Factor for Success (3): 13

  14. Factor for Success (3):Financial Aid In explaining financial aid to middle school students we must first teach the students and their parents about the different types of financial aid: • Scholarships • Gift Aid – Based on Merit • Grants • Gift Aid – Based on Need • Employment Opportunities • May be based on need • Loans • Must be repaid – may be based on need

  15. Factor for Success (3a):Scholarships There are a number of college scholarships for middle school students. To apply to these programs, students must be under the age of 18. Moreover, these programs are often formatted as contests. This means they are meant to reflect more than just a means to reward a young student’s educational abilities. These programs are built on the message that pursuing a higher education is desired and are meant to instill the importance and love of learning at any age.

  16. Factor for Success (3b):Louisiana State Aid • Scholarships & Grants • TOPS Scholarship • Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship • Go Grant • Chafee Educational Training Voucher (ETV) • START Saving Program • High School Opportunities • TOPS Tech Early Start Program

  17. Factor for Success (3c):TOPS TOPS Tech Award • 2.50 minimum TOPS or TOPS Tech Core Curriculum GPA • Minimum ACT score of 17 • SAT score of 900 • WorkKeys Silver Level Score • Completion of one of two TOPS Core Curricula • Opportunity, Performance or Honors Award curriculum • TOPS Tech Jumpstart Core Curriculum

  18. Factor for Success (3c):TOPS TOPS Tech Award Benefits • May be used to pursue • associate's degree or other shorter-term training and education programs, including skill, occupational, vocational, technical, certificate, and academic, that the Workforce Investment Council (WIC) and the Board of Regents (BOR) determine are aligned to state workforce priorities.   • May receive for two years • Summer terms are covered for students attending a technical program (funding contingent upon appropriations). Summer attendance is not required.

  19. Factor for Success (3c):TOPS Opportunity Award • 2.50 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA • ACT score equal to the prior year’s state average, but never less than 20 • 20 for 2018 graduates • SAT score of 1020 • Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum • TOPS general eligibility requirements

  20. Factor for Success (3c):TOPS Performance Award • Eligibility Requirements • 3.00 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA • ACT score of 23 • SAT score of 1130 • Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum • TOPS general eligibility requirements • Award Benefits • Provides the same benefits as the Opportunity Award, plus • $400 annual stipend (contingent upon appropriation)

  21. Factor for Success (3c):TOPS Honors Award • Eligibility Requirements • 3.00 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA • ACT score of 27 • SAT score of 1280 • Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum • TOPS general eligibility requirements • Award Benefits • Provides the same benefits as the Opportunity Award, plus • $800 annual stipend (contingent upon appropriation)

  22. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. – Malcolm X

  23. So what can we do?.... • Make connections with middle school educators • Plan college access activites that envolve the whole family • Find out what they know/think about college and financial aid and answer any questions they may have

  24. Questions, Comments, Concerns? Let’s Chat

  25. Contact Me Brittani Williams Brittani.Williams@la.gov

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