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AFTER THE FAFSA: WHAT COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW

AFTER THE FAFSA: WHAT COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW. So you filed your FAFSA. Now what?.

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AFTER THE FAFSA: WHAT COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW

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  1. AFTER THE FAFSA:WHAT COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW

  2. So you filed your FAFSA. Now what? After you completed and submitted your FAFSA, the US Department of Education sent your data to the Washington Student Achievement Council (administrator of the College Bound Scholarship) and all of the colleges you listed on your form.

  3. The FAFSA FLOW

  4. Next Steps: Who Does What

  5. Remember: • Update your FAFSA after your taxes are filed. • Check your college’s website and complete any additional required forms (both Admissions and Financial Aid). • Promptly answer all emails and correspondence from the Department of Education, your prospective college, and us—the Washington Student Achievement Council.

  6. Financial Aid 101

  7. Types of Aid Gift Aid Loans Employment

  8. Financial Aid Terminology Student Aid Report (SAR) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Cost of Attendance (COA) Award Letter Financial Aid Package

  9. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) • Summarizes the information you provided on your FAFSA. • Sent to you by the US Department of Education after you submit a complete FAFSA. • Usually arrives in your email inbox the next business day after you file your FAFSA if you filed online and provided an email address.

  10. Remember! You must still be admitted to college, so complete your college applications and check the financial aid office’s website as they may require additional forms. To make things simple, use ONE email address for your FAFSA and ALL college-related email correspondence, and check that inbox frequently.

  11. Reviewing the SAR If your SAR indicates that your FAFSA needs to be corrected: Make changes online at www.fafsa.gov using your PIN. If eligible, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The most common FAFSA errors include: Invalid Social Security Number Incorrect or misspelled name Missing signatures

  12. This student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is $1,998.

  13. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Your EFC is listed on your Student Aid Report (SAR). • It is calculated using the information you provided on the FAFSA. • Your EFC is the same amount, regardless of the cost of the college you choose to attend. • Note: The calculation considers your ability to have saved for college, the funds you now have available to pay for college, and your ability to pay in the future. It does not mean $ out of pocket.

  14. The * indicates that this student has been selected for a process called “Verification.” The school may request copies of certain financial documents from the student.

  15. Cost of Attendance (COA) College calculates a budget or “cost of attendance” which includes: • Tuition & Fees • Books & Supplies • Room & Board • Transportation & Personal Expenses Your COA could range from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on your housing (with your family, on campus, etc.) and the type of school you attend.

  16. Eligibility Based on Financial Need • Your college will calculate your financial need by subtracting your EFC from the college’s COA. • The college may combine different types of financial aid (gift aid, loans, and work study) to meet your remaining need. COA - EFC Need

  17. Your Financial Aid Award

  18. Sample Financial Aid Award Package

  19. Sample Award Letter The student has been offered: 3 grants (do not need to be paid back) A PLU scholarship (does not need to be paid back) 2 loans (must be paid back) 2 Washington state grants (do not need to be paid back) Federal Work Study (must work to receive the money)

  20. Evaluating Your Award Letter Read carefully—what are the next steps? • Are more forms required? Grants and scholarships • Are they renewable? If so, for how many years? Loans • How much will you need to borrow to cover expenses until you graduate? Out-of-pocket expenses • Does the offer meet the needs for your personal budget?

  21. Remember… • You do not have to accept all the aid you are offered. • Compare school financial aid awards: Which are the best? Which require the least amount of loans? • Consider “out of pocket” expenses. Again, compare financial aid packages/awards. • Notice the deadline/date you must accept the college’s financial aid offer and meet it! • If your family’s circumstances changed— a parent was laid off, a family illness, etc.— contact the financial aid office and explain. Be proactive.

  22. Your College Bound Award Your College Bound award is based on financial need. It coordinates with State Need Grant and other state-funded grants or scholarships to cover average tuition (at comparable public colleges), some fees, and a small book allowance. Book allowance will be included in financial aid award, but not noted separately.

  23. Your Financial Aid Award Think of your financial aid as a “package.” • It’s not important which source (Pell, State Need Grant, College Bound) pays for which expense (tuition, books). • Ask yourself “are my college expenses covered?” If the answer is “yes,” then you received the best financial award you were eligible to receive. • Each campus will determine which funds pay which expense. • College Bound may/may not be listed on your award letter. • Always check with the trained professionals in the Financial Aid office if you have questions.

  24. You may not receive the full College Bound award amount if… • Your family’s income does not meet the income standard. • 65% of MFI ($54,000 for a family of 4) • Your financial aid award is greater than your financial “need.” • You do not enroll full-time. • Other state financial aid was offered.

  25. Receiving the Money Your school will: • Credit your financial aid money to your school account (to pay tuition, on-campus housing etc.) • Pay remaining money to you directly by check or electronic funds transfer. Make a money plan—your financial aid must last the whole term! Schools must pay you at least once per term—semester, trimester, or quarter.

  26. Accepting Your Financial Aid Award Accept or decline your award by the college’s deadline • If you receive a hard copy of the Award Letter, complete, sign, and return it to the financial aid office; or • You may need to create an online account at your school to view and accept your award letter. Check the Financial Aid Office webpage for instructions.

  27. Remember… • You don’t have to accept all aid offered. • If your family situation has changed (loss of job, illness, etc.) notify the Financial Aid office – it may be possible to adjust your award. • The staff in college financial aid offices are trained professionals who can assess your circumstances and use their professional judgment as needed.

  28. College Bound Scholarship Requirements • Must enroll in college within 1 year of high school graduation. • Four- year scholarship (12 qtrs./8 semesters). • Must be used within 5 years of HS graduation. The Class of 2015’s scholarship expires in 2020.

  29. College Bound Scholarship Requirements In College: • Maintain your school’s required GPA throughout college. • You must file the FAFSA early every year in college. Changes: • Ineligible one year? File the next year – you may be eligible. • Citizenship status changes? File the FAFSA.

  30. WASFA for DREAMers • Students who met residency requirements should complete a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) instead of a FAFSA. • The WASFA can be found at ReadySetGrad.org/WASFA. • Students can currently use the site for the 14-15 application. Beginning in January the 15-16 application will be available.

  31. A Word About Loans • Federal direct Stafford or Perkins loans • Your FAFSA is your application • Likely to be the lowest interest rates • Private loans • Applied for separately • Interest rates may differ from federal loans • Ask questions: repayment terms, interest rates, future loan amounts? • Only borrow what you need!

  32. A Word About Working • Federal or state work-study may be part of your financial aid package and allows you to work to pay for college expenses. • Great way to gain work experience while in college, an advantage when you graduate. • You may work a maximum of 19 hrs. per week. • Jobs may be on- or off-campus.

  33. Resources U.S. Department of Education • 1-800-433-3243 • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.fafsa.gov www.readysetgrad.org

  34. College Bound Scholarship 888-535-0747 www.collegebound.wa.gov collegebound@wsac.wa.gov College Bound Contact Information

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