What is Financial Aid?

1. Bright Futures Initial Eligibility Criteria for 2012-13 High School GraduatesNACAC College FairJudy Cromartie and Nan WorsowiczOctober 13, 2012

2. What is Financial Aid? Financial Aid is money received from state and federal governments and private institutions which is awarded to help students pay for college expenses.

3. Types of Financial Aid • There are two types of financial aid: gift aidand self-help aid. • Gift aid includes grants and scholarships – gifts of money to pay for college that don’t have to be repaid. • Self-help aid includes employment, such as part-time jobs that help curb college expenses, and loans that you will need to repay. • Financial Aid is based on demonstrated need and is designed to help students who cannot afford the cost of attending college. • Scholarships based on merit should be seen as a reward for grades, special talents, creativity, leadership, or other criteria used to select recipients.

4. College Costs • The average cost for published tuition and fees in a public two-year college per year is $2,693. • The average cost for published tuition and fees in a public four-year college or university per year is $8,244. • Average surcharge for full-time out-of-state students at these institutions is $20,770. • The average cost for published tuition and fees in a private four-year college per year is $28,500.

5. 2011 Legislative ChangesFAFSA Requirement (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • Students are now required to submit a complete, error-free FAFSA for • Bright Futures, Florida Resident Access Grant, and Access to Better Learning and Education Grant • Required annually of initial and renewal students any time prior to disbursement • No FAFSA = No $$ • Community service requirements increased for all three Bright Futures award levels • FAS – 100 hours (increased from 75 hours) • FMS – 75 hours (increased from 0 hours) • GSV – 30 hours (increased from 0 hours)

6. 2011 Legislative ChangesTest Score Requirements Raising the Bar for Juniors, Sophomores & Freshmen

7. 2012 Legislative Changes • Students who graduate from high school midyear may submit a Florida Financial Aid Application no later than August 31 prior to the student’s graduation, be evaluated for Bright Futures, and, if eligible, receive funding in the spring term following the student’s high school graduation. (This does not apply to DCPS students.) • University of Florida Pilot Program students receive funding in spring and summer terms. • Students graduating high school in 2012-13 must access an initial Bright Futures award within two years(rather than the current 3 years for reinstatement) following high school graduation and accept a renewal award for five years following high school graduation.

8. 2012 Legislative Changes (continued) • The Gold Seal Vocational program will remain unchanged for renewing students. • 2012-13 Initial Gold Seal Scholars WILL NOT BE FUNDED if enrolled in an AA or BA degree program. • 2012-13 Initial Gold Seal Scholars MAY BE FUNDED FOR UP TO 100% for the following programs of study at a Florida public or eligible Florida private postsecondary institution: • Applied Technology Diploma, up to 60 credit hours or equivalent clock hours, • Technical Degree Education Program, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours, • Career Certificate Program, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours.

9. The GPA Puzzle • State GPA • District GPA • College Admissions GPA • Bright Futures GPA • Scholarship GPA

10. Bright Futures Scholarship Awards Students may receive funding for ONE of the three awards: • Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) • Academic Top Scholars Award (ATS) • Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) • Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV)

11. Florida Academic Scholars Award • GPA • 3.5 weighted GPA in required college preparatory credits (not rounded) • Required Credits • 4 English (3 with substantial writing) • 4 Math (Algebra I level and above) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science • 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) 16 college preparatory credits May use up to 2 additional credits from courses in these academic areas and/or AP, IB, or AICE fine arts courses to raise GPA.

12. Florida Academic Scholars Award • Community Service • 100 hours – approved by district or private high school • Test Scores • 1280 SAT Reasoning Test or 28 ACT National Test • ACT scores rounded up for scores with .5 and higher • Writing sections not used in composite • SAT Subject Tests not used • Deadlines: • For early (7th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by January 31 • Community Service Hours submitted by end of first semester • For summer (8th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by June 30 • Community Service Hours submitted by graduation

13. Florida Academic Scholars Award • Other ways to qualify must include 100 community service hours: • National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists • National Hispanic Scholars • IB Diploma (based on exams taken before high school graduation) • IB Curriculum with 1280 SAT or 28 ACT • AICE Diploma (based on exams taken before high school graduation) • AICE Curriculum with 1280 SAT or 28 ACT • Home Education, registered with district Grades 11 & 12 and have a best composite score of 1280 SAT or 28 ACT

14. Florida Academic Scholars Award • Other ways to qualify must include 100 community service hours: • GED with best composite score of 1280 SAT or 28 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits • 3-year standard college preparatory program with best composite score of 1280 SAT or 28 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits

15. Academic Top Scholars Award • One FAS award recipient per county • Ranked on BF GPA and SAT/ACT score • Award established annually by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act prorated by term and hours • Determined end of fall term following HS graduation and after term one disbursements • Students and high school notified in November following high school graduation

16. Florida Medallion Scholars Award • GPA • 3.0 weighted GPA in required college preparatory credits • Required Credits • 4 English (3 with substantial writing) • 4 Math (Algebra I level and above) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science • 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) 16 college preparatory credits May use up to 2 additional credits from courses in these academic areas and/or AP, IB, or AICE fine arts courses to raise GPA.

17. Florida Medallion Scholars Award • Community Service • 75 hours – approved by district or private high school • Test Scores • 1020 SAT Reasoning Test or 22 ACT National Test • ACT scores rounded up for scores with .5 and higher • SAT Subject Tests not used • Writing sections not used in composite • Deadlines: • For early (7th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by January 31 • Community Service Hours submitted by end of first semester • For summer (8th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by June 30 • Community Service Hours submitted by graduation

18. Florida Medallion Scholars Award Other ways to qualify must include 75 community service hours: • National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists • National Hispanic Scholars • IB Curriculum with 1020 SAT or 22 ACT • AICE Diploma • AICE Curriculum with 1020 SAT or 22 ACT • Home Education, registered with District Grades 11 & 12 and 1020 SAT or 22 ACT with 3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits

19. Florida Medallion Scholars Award Other ways to qualify must include 75 community service hours: • GED with best composite score of 1020 SAT or 22 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits. • 3-year standard college preparatory program with best composite score of 1020 SAT or 22 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits.

20. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award GPAs • 3.0 weighted GPA in the core credits required for graduation • 3.5 unweighted GPA in 3 Career and Technical Education credits taken over 2 academic years in one vocational program This award is now limited to 72 semester hours towards an AS, AAS, CCC, PSAV, except in the Applied Technology Diploma (ATP) it is limited to 60 semester hours. GSV no longer rolls over to Medallion level award.

21. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award • Required Credits (4-year diploma) • 4 English • 4 Math (including Algebra I) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science (U.S. Government, World History, U.S. History, and Economics) • 1 Fine or Identified Practical Art OR .5 in each • 1 Physical Education (to include the integration of health) 16 credits

22. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award • Community Service • 30 hours – approved by district or private high school Test Scores* • SAT Reasoning Test • 440 Critical Reading • 440 Math • ACT National Test • 17 English • 18 Reading • 19 Math • PERT • 104 Reading • 99 Writing • 113 Math Minimum section scores in one test type must be met. *Test types cannot be mixed and matched.

23. Florida Gold Seal Vocational • Deadlines: • For early (7th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by January 31 • Community Service Hours submitted by end of first semester • For summer (8th semester) eligibility • Tests taken by June 30 • Community Service Hours submitted by graduation

24. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award Other ways to qualify must include 30 community service hours: • 3-year Career Preparatory Diploma with 3.0 weighted GPA in 14 core credits required • 4 English (3 with substantial writing) • 4 Math (including Algebra I) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science (U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History, and Economics) • 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of 3 Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program

25. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award Other ways to qualify must include 30 community service hours: • 3-year College Preparatory Diploma with 3.0 weighted GPA using 16 core credits required • 4 English (3 with substantial writing) • 4 Math (including Algebra I) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science (U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History, and Economics) • 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) • 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of 3 Career and Technical Education in one vocational program

26. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award Other ways to qualify must include 30 community service hours: • GED with 3.0 weighted GPA in core credits for selected HS graduation option (standard, career, or college), and • 3.5 unweighted GPA in 3 Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program

27. Award Amounts Public and Private Institutions • Students will receive the specified award amounts established annually by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act. • Funding begins the fall following high school graduation. • For current year award amounts visit: www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/SSFAD/bf/awardamt.htm

28. 2012-2013Award Amounts Per Credit Hour for Florida Bright Futures Scholarships

29. General Eligibility Requirements • Florida resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen • Pursue an undergraduate degree at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution • Begin using the scholarship funds within 2 years of high school graduation (unless enlisted in military) • Graduate from a Florida public high school or FLDOE-registered private high school (for GED, Out-of-State & Home Education exceptions see www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/ssfad/bf) • Not be guilty of, or pled no contest to, a felony charge • Be enrolled for at least 6 non-remedial semester credit hours • Submit an error-free Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

30. How to Apply • Students must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) before high school graduation, or forever forfeit BF eligibility – Online application for seniors opens December 1. • FFAA closes August 31 • Submit ONE application – update as needed (access with User ID and PIN provided) • www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org (Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications) Activate your User ID and PIN – Know it! Use it! YOU are Responsible for your state financial aid!

31. Eligibility Evaluations Completed twice a year based on transcripts electronically sent to the Florida Department of Education by the graduating high school: • After 7th semester (fall term) based on: • Coursework completed • Coursework in progress for spring semester • Test scores for tests taken through January 31 • Community service completed by end of first semester • After 8th semester (graduation) based on: • Coursework completed • Test scores for all tests taken through June 30 • Community service completed by high school graduation Note: Tests taken after January 31 will not be considered until the evaluation of the final transcript. The final transcript must also show the coursework and GPA requirement has been met.

32. Eligibility Notifications • Posted to student’s Financial Aid Recipient History online (no hardcopies or e-mails): • Mid-year (7th semester) begins March – • must have GPA, community service hours, test scores through January 31 AND an FFAA Application • Final (8th semester) begins late July/Early August • must have GPA, community service hours, test scores through January 31 AND an FFAA Application Students MUST monitor their award status online.

33. www.flvc.org • Florida Virtual Campus for Students is Florida's official online one-stop-shop in transitioning students from middle school through college. It is an advising system that can assist high school students, college students, parents, and even counselors to help plan and track educational progress in Florida. • Go www.flvc.org: • Click on “Student Services.” • Requires User ID/Password • See White Handout 

34. www.flvc.org

35. OSFA Home Page

36. State Programs & Bright Futures

37. Check Your Status www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org

38. For More Information • www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org • E-mail: OSFA@fldoe.org • 1-888-827-2004 (Grants/Scholarships) • 1-800-366-3475 (Student Loans) • Outreach Representative: • Reyonna Parrish, Outreach Representative • Reyonna.Parrish@fldoe.org • 850-410-6830

39. IMPORTANT! Keep copies of ALL financial aid documents!

40. Other Sources • Use www.finaid.org to search for available monies through scholarships and grants nationwide • High School Guidance Office • Be aware of recent scholarship scams • Scams can be received via phone, letter in the mail, or E-mail • Visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website at www.ftc.gov for additional information on scams, or contact the FTC by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or TTY 1-866-653-4261

41. www.fastweb.com • FastWeb offers a free scholarship database that includes over 1.3 million scholarships worth over $3 billion • Database sources include local, national, and college-specific scholarships • Search and compare detailed college profiles on FastWeb’s database • FastWeb’s database allows you to also search for internships or part-time job openings near your home or school • FastWeb is recommended by more than 16,000 schools and 3,600 colleges • Access FastWeb by visiting www.fastweb.com • requires User ID and Password See Blue Handout 

42. Thank you! Judy Cromartie judith.cromartie@navy.mil 904-270-6289 x 1305 Nan Worsowicz worsowiczn@duvalschools.org 904-390-2090