Financial Aid Basics

1. Financial Aid Basics Cal-SOAP Presents… What you need to know to pay for your education… SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES Student Opportunity and Access Program California SOAP Serving Students Since 1979

2. How much does college cost?

3. Registration Fees Only

7. How to pay for college?

8. Paying for Education • Savings or 529 Plans • Student Federal Aid • Student Grants • Loans • Student • Scholarships

9. What is FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid Federal and State Financial Aid

10. Make-or-Break CriteriaWe provide information about:Postsecondary Education

11. How the FAFSA determines your Financial Aid • The amount of money you receive is based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • EFC= The amount your family is expected to pay for your college based on family income

12. For Example Cost of Attendance EFC Financial Need Cost of Attendance EFC Financial Need UCSD [living on campus] • $31,700 • $1,000 $30,700 $30,700 $22,444 $22,444 SDSU [living on campus] • $1,000 • $23,444 $10,445 $10,445 Mesa College [living at home] $11,445 $1,000

13. COA - EFC = Federal EligibilityCost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Federal Eligibility (For grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans) (Tuition/fees, residence, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses) 30 20 15 10 0 (9)

14. Components of FAFSA

15. Apply for a Pin

16. Student and a Parent MUST get a PIN number to sign FAFSA online! Get your PIN numbers NOW! www.pin.ed.gov

17. www.pin.ed.gov

18. Documents Needed to Complete FAFSA

19. FAFSA 7 Step Process

20. Step 1: About the Student • Use name printed on Social Security Card • Identify, select and confirm High School attended

21. Step 2: College Selection Add a School Federal School Code Search by: State City Name Housing Plans On campus With parent

22. “No” to all questions: makes the student “dependent” Must submit parent information Note: childmust be supported financially—more than 50% Step 3: Determine Student Dependency Status

23. Independency Determination Foster Care Select Yes if at any time since the student turned age 13, he/she was in foster care even if no longer in foster care today due to: • Adoption • Reunification • Reached the age of majority (18 yrs.) Note: documentation may be required. Emancipated Minor Select Yes if the student: • as of today, is an emancipated minor or • was an emancipated minor immediately before turning 18 years old. Note: Documentation issued from a court in the student’s state of legal residence may be required.

24. Independency Determination Continued Homeless and Unaccompanied Youth Select Yes if any time after July 1, 2012, the student meets all three criteria “Homeless” or “at risk of being homeless” • Lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing. Includes living in shelters, motels, cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go. “Unaccompanied” • Not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian “Youth” • 21 years or younger • Still enrolled in high school at the time the FAFSA is completed

25. Independency Determination Continued Legal Guardianship • Provide copy of court’s decision regarding legal guardianship.

26. Step 4: Parent Information • Parents Include: • Biological Parents • Divorced or Separated Parents • With whom the student lived with most during the last 12 months • Stepparent • Report Stepparent’s income regardless of: agreement of non-support, pre-nuptial agreement, not claiming on income tax

27. Step 4: Parent Information Continued Do not provide parent information for • Foster parent(s) • Student is automatically considered an independent student • Grandparents, other relatives or legal guardian(s) • Colleges may use professional judgment to allow the student to file as an independent student

28. Step 4: Parent Information Continued • Household Size: Parent provides more than 50% financial support • Number in College: Student enrolled at least half-time (Exclude parent if currently enrolled in college courses)

29. Step 4: Parent Information Continued Dislocated Worker • Lost job • Laid off • Self-employed/ unemployed or underemployed • Displaced homemaker

30. Step 5: Student Income and Assets • Asked the same questions as parents related to income

31. IRS Data Transfer or Return Transcript IRS Data Transfer • Transfer information directly from the IRS • Requires PIN • Available January 31st • After filing tax return OR • Submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript

32. Step 6: Signatures and Certification • Both parent and students consent to terms of agreement • Both parent and students sign and submit using electronic pin • If parents do not have social security numbers: • Print signature page • Sign signature page • Send to FAFSA using certified mail

33. Step 7: Confirmation • Page will show: • Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) • Print and keep copy for your record

34. Cal Grants

35. Cal Grants Cal Grant A Cal Grant B 3.0 High School GPA 2.0 High School GPA Financial Need determined by FAFSA Financial Need determined by FAFSA

36. Supplemental Forms for Cal-Grant Submit GPA Verification Form electronically or by mail Begin submitting November 2012 Deadline for submission is March 2, 2013

37. Cal Grants Cal Grant C Technical and career students Financial Need determined by FAFSA Cal Grant C Supplement Form

38. California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth Eligibility Began Foster care between ages 16-22 Have financial need certified by school Maintain 2.0 GPA Can use at a college outside California

39. How to apply for Chafee Grant

40. DREAM ACT STUDENTS or AB 540 STUDENTS (no social security #) Submit Application Online January 1st--March 2nd www.caldreamact.org ***DO NOT USE FAFSA APPLICATION

41. Definition of AB 540 Students • AB 540 students are not: • Students with non-immigrant visa status • Students homeschooled by a parent who does not hold a CA teacher credential • Students living out of state and enrolling in private California “internet high school”

42. Dream Act Eligibility Requirements Attend a CA High School for 3 or more years 1 Graduate from a CA High School 2 File an affidavit with college or university stating that you intend to file and application to legalize your immigration status 3

43. Supplemental Form for Dream Act Application • Submission of GPA verification • Eligible for all California state and institutional aid

44. Finding Scholarships www.collegeboard.com www.scholarships.com www.collegenet.com www.fastweb.com www.sandiegocalsoap.com www.maldef.org (AB 540)

45. CSS/ Financial Aid Profile: Private Colleges

46. Complete the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form Apply January 1st- March 2nd First come first serve! www.fafsa.ed.gov

47. Attend a Cash For College Workshop! • Jan 26: 9am-12noon • Lincoln High School • Feb 2: 9am-12noon • Montgomery High School • Monte Vista High School • Hoover High School • Feb 9: 9am-12noon • Sweetwater High School • Feb 9: 10am-1pm • Mira Costa College • Mira Costa College- San Elijo • Feb 23: 9am-12noon • Mar Vista High School • El Cajon High School • Madison High School • CSU San Marcos

48. FAFSA PROCESS SUMMARY

49. Step 3 • Step 4 • Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) • Receive financial aid packages from each of your colleges of interest

50. Contacting Cal-SOAP… • Find our representatives at local Cal-SOAP college and career events. • For events and general college information: www.sandiegocalsoap.com • Questions? Call our office: (858) 569-1866 SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES Student Opportunity and Access Program California SOAP Serving Students Since 1979