Start Smart: Navigating College Prep and Financial Aid

1. Start Smart: Beginning College on the Right Foot Transitions to College: An Advising Curriculum for High School Seniors

2. Graduation to Matriculation Sound familiar? “I’ve decided where I’m going to college, and I’m so happy I’m done with this process!” Not so fast. Summertime’s full of deadlines! We’re here to help with: • Understanding financial aid. • School requirements due over the summer. • Who to ask for help when you have questions. • Connecting you to available resources. • How to ask the right questions. • Starting college feeling prepared. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

3. Graduation to Matriculation Tuition deposit Due May 1 • Payment required to hold place in class/dorms once you’ve been accepted. • Don’t send your deposit before receiving your financial aid award letter. 1st bill arrives  July • If your financial aid doesn’t cover the full cost of attendance, you’ll receive a bill for 1st semester. • There are many ways to pay this bill. Ask uAspire or your Financial Aid office for help. Set up tuition payment plan July • A way to pay your remaining tuition bill over time (3-12 months). • Visit your school’s Financial Aid or Student Accounts office to set this up. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

4. Graduation to Matriculation Sign MPN and Complete Loan Counseling July • MPN is the application for the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans. • Loan Counseling is a short workshop to help you understand the loans you’re borrowing. • It takes 30 minutes to complete both. Contact your college to find out where they’d like you to complete these. • You must complete both of these to receive your federal student loans. Sign MPN and Complete Loan Counseling July • MPN is the application for the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans. • Loan Counseling is a short workshop to help you understand the loans you’re borrowing. • It takes 30 minutes to complete both. Contact your college to find out where they’d like you to complete these. • You must complete both of these to receive your federal student loans. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

5. Graduation to Matriculation Pay your 1st tuition bill Early August • Bill must be paid just one month after you get it, so plan ahead. • Not paying your bill could mean no housing or classes being dropped. • If you’re worried about how to pay, talk to your Financial Aid office about options. Understand your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy August • Policy assures you’re moving toward your diploma. • Fall below a certain grade point average (GPA) and you can be ineligible for aid. • Know your school’s policy! EXAMPLE: UMass Boston SAP policy Credits Received   Minimum GPA Required 1-15 credits…………………………….….. ….1.5 16-30 credits   …………………………………1.65 Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

6. Graduation to Matriculation Meet your Financial Aid officer  August, before school begins • First friends on campus. • Helpful with payment plans, finding work study opportunities, informing you about the SAP policy, and more. • On campus advocates are essential. • Simply say “hello.” Find a work study position  August, before school begins • If awarded work study, you must earn it. • On-campus job, flexible hours, variety of types. • Find jobs with your school’s Financial Aid or Career office: • apply → interview → get hired Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

7. Graduation to Matriculation Buy textbooks September, right after school begins • Books can be expensive; purchase them early for the best deal. • Buy used books to save money on websites like: • www.amazon.com • www.half.ebay.com • www.campusbooks.com • www.affordabook.com Buy T pass/parking permit  September, right after school begins • The earlier the better: • Most schools have discounted semester subway passes if purchased in the first 2 weeks of school. Check out MBTA.com for more information. • Parking permits can run out, too. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

8. Start Smart • There are many steps and requirements for you to complete between the time you’re accepted to college and the time you start in September. • Be proactive, NOT reactive. • Seek help if you have questions. It’s natural to have questions. College is a new experience for all of you. • There are many resources within reach that want to help you succeed. • Start early. Summer isn’t that long. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

9. Start Smart Can you find your school below? If so, you have a Financial Aid Liaison: • A great resource to answer any questions you have. • Someone who’ll help you navigate your college campus. • Will help you reach out to student services, academic support, etc. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

10. Start Smart Know your resources and who can help: Financial Aid Liaison • Will help you review your financial aid award. • Will help you understand your school’s SAP policy. • Will help direct you to and connect you with resources on your campus. If you don’t have a Financial Aid Liaison, don’t worry: Financial Aid Office • Will answer all financial aid questions specific to your school. • Will help you understand important deadlines and requirements at your school. • Will keep you informed about the status of your account at school. uAspire • Will help you look for scholarships • Will help you understand your financial aid and tuition bill • Will help connect you with resources to make college more affordable Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

11. What Would You Do? Hello! My name is Carlos, and I just graduated from high school. In the fall, I’m heading to UMass Boston. It’s the middle of July, and I just received my first semester tuition bill that’s due August 14, 2013 for $3000. I’m not sure how I’m going to pay this bill… What would you do?

12. Start Smart Steps You Could Take: 1st TUITION BILL • Act immediately. You’ll get this bill in July. Don’t wait until the week before it’s due. • Contact your FAO or Financial Aid Liaison (if applicable) to discuss ways to pay. • Visit your Financial Aid office to set up a tuition payment plan. • Contact uAspire for help searching for scholarships and ways to pay your bill. • Use the money you saved from working during the year and the summer months to pay this bill. • Develop a plan with your parent or guardian about how you’ll make this payment. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

13. What Would You Do? There are several different items included on my 1st semester tuition bill. What’s all this stuff? Health insurance is included on my tuition bill. It’s going to cost me $1500! I know I need insurance, but are there any other options? What would you do?

14. Start Smart Steps You Could Take: HEALTH INSURANCE • Ask your parent(s) or guardian(s) what current provider and plan you’re using for health insurance. • Make sure you aren’t double paying for your family’s health insurance and the school’s health insurance. • If you’re currently covered under MASS Health and are 19 years old or younger, you can get the college health insurance waived. • Call the Student Accounts office at your school to find out how to waive the school’s health insurance. • Check your online student account to check the status of your health insurance. • Call your Financial Aid office, Financial Aid Liaison, or uAspireif you need help. Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

15. What Would You Do? I was accepted at UMass Boston and received a good financial aid package. There are a bunch of next steps, though… I received my award letter 6 weeks before graduation. It says I have to complete something called the MPN and loan counseling. I’ve never heard of either of these… What would you do?

16. Start Smart Steps You Could Take: MPN/LOAN COUNSELING • Contact your Financial Aid office to find out how they want you to complete these requirements. • Contact your FAO, Financial Aid Liaison, or uAspireif you need some guiding steps. • Don’t wait to get started with these requirements. Take care of them early before the weather becomes nice. • They take 30 minutes to complete. • Don’t rush through either the MPN or Loan Counseling. • The MPN is a legally binding agreement, so make sure you understand the information. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

17. What Would You Do? A lot of my friends have been getting stuff from their colleges—roommate information, tuition bills, and other things. I haven’t received any of this information, and I’m not sure why. Maybe the school forgot about me? Or maybe I just don’t owe them any money? What would you do?

18. Start Smart Steps You Could Take: STUDENT ACCOUNT SETUP • Contact any staff member at your college campus—admissions representative, financial aid officer, housing, and beyond. Check with them to see what you may be missing. • Check all your mail and email—depending on the email address you used on your applications. • Set up an online account with your college. Most schools use their own intranets to send important information to students. The sooner you set it up, the more likely you are to get necessary information. • Don’t stop there—check it regularly. You don’t want to miss out! Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

19. Start Smart Steps You Could Take: GET A WORK STUDY JOB • Work study is on-campus, flexible hours, and decent pay. • If you’re awarded work study on your award letter, you qualify and have the money you’re eligible for. • To secure a job, you must look for one on campus, apply, and get hired. • Contact your Financial Aid office about opportunities. • Contact Career Services about opportunities. • Contact an office or location on campus you’d like to work for and see if they’re hiring (ex: cafeteria, library, bookstore, gym, etc.) • Start with, “I was awarded work study, and I’m interested in working at ____________. Do you have any open positions I could apply for?” Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

20. Start Smart School starts in a week. I’m getting pretty excited. The only thing I really need to do is find a job. I do remember something on my financial aid award letter about “work” something, but I can’t remember what it was exactly… What would you do?

21. Final Thoughts • Remember to ask questions. • Start early. Summer’s too short! • There are plenty of people who want to help. • There are several resources available to help. • Contact your Financial Aid office and Financial Aid Liaison for help. 31 St James Avenue, Suite 520 Boston, MA 02116 617-778-7195 Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.