Financial-Aid: I Can Afford College!

Introduction about financial-aid, FAFSA, Dream Act, DACA and Scholarships

Group Members: Nalleli Magana, Laura Holguin, Bai Zhen, Hector Delgado

College Cost of Attendance

Sources: http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/ab540/

FAFSA

Eligibility:
1. Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, with a valid Social Security Number. 2. Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent home credential, or pass an approved ability to benefit test. 3. Enroll as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program approved by the U.S. Department of Education. 4. Register (or have registered) for Selective Service (applies to males between the ages of 18-25).

1. Social Security Number (not ITIN #, if parent does not have SSN print signature sheet and mail in) 2. Drivers license (if you have one) 3. W-2 Form and other money earned records (for you and parents) 4. 2013 Federal income tax returns- IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040 Telefile, foreign tax return (if filed, if not estimate) 5. Current bank statements (or account balances) 6. Current business and investment mortgage information 7. Business and Farm Records 8. Records of stocks, bonds and other investments

Documents needed:

FAFSA Hotline:
File electronically at: www.fafsa.ed.gov For questions on application call: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) www.studentaid.ed.gov

Application Filing Period

-Application opens: January 1 -CA deadline: March 2 -To be eligible for Cal Grants -If applying to community college can submit through September

Types of Aid:
- Grants -Scholarships -Work Study -Loans

Grants:
-A form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay. Types of grants include: Cal Grant-more info to come! Pell Grant (maximum $5,500) University Grants Board of Governors Grant-Community College

-Available for CA residents and AB540 students attending CA colleges Three main types A- low to middle income, 3.0 gpa or above-covers tuition and fees B- low income, 2.0 gpa or above -covers tuition and fees plus a $1473 yearly stipend C-for students pursuing vocational or certificate programs -Other types of Cal Grants are available. For more info visit www.csac.ca.gov -Required forms (submitted by March 2nd) -FAFSA -Cal Grant GPA verification form - usually submitted electronically by your high school

Cal Grants:

Scholarships:
-The school you will be attending may offer specific scholarships based on merit or a talent.

Work Study:
-You may need to get a job to meet your financial need -Check out the campus career center which can provide a listing of on and off campus jobs -Work study may be a part of your financial aid package -Student employment is a great way to develop career skills and contacts that can lead to employment upon graduation

Loans
-Educational loans are an investment -Interest rates vary- Be aware of your loans interest rate! -There are various repayment plans available -Loans may be offered to you in your financial aid package, or you may need to seek them from an independent institution

Financial Aid Applications:

FAFSA www.fafsa.gov CAL Grant GPA Verification/Release Form www.calgrants.org CSS Profile www.collegeboard.org BOG Application www.cccapply.com

General Process
-Student and one parent apply for a FAFSA pin number -Complete and submit the FAFSA by March 2nd -Your information goes to the central processor who calculates your EFC and sends your info out to the schools your requested -You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This is a summary of what you entered on the FAFSA. -Watch for financial aid award notifications from colleges to which the student has been admitted -Review your financial aid package from each school and accept aid you wish to receive

What happens next?

-Colleges match admission records with financial aid applications and determine aid eligibility -Colleges mail notices of financial aid eligibility to admitted students who have completed all required financial aid forms -Create webgrants account: www.webgrants4students.org

Tips:
-File early, and no later than March 2 -Use estimated income information if taxes are not complete at time of FAFSA submission -For Cal Grant consideration, list the most expensive California school to which you are applying -If you are applying to more than six schools, wait for the processed Student Aid Report (SAR) and add additional schools via the Web or by phone

California Dream Act & State Financial Aid

Who is eligible for the California Dream Act?

! ! ! !
Students who meet the eligibility requirements for Assembly Bill (AB) 540 Attend a California high school for 3 years Graduate from a California high school or pass the High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), or obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate Enroll in a California Community College, California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) Complete an affidavit

Who are AB 540 students?

! Undocumented students ! U.S. Citizens who are not California residents ! Dependent students whose parents are not California
residents

California Dream Act AB-130 & AB 131

! !
Permits AB 540 students to apply for state financial aid and to be awarded Institutional Grants: !! UC Grant !! State University Grant

! !

!! Educational Opportunity Program Funds California Community College Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waivers State Financial Aid !! Cal Grants !! Chafee Foster Youth Grants

Who can apply for Cal Grants?

! Students who are graduating high school

seniors

! Students attending a community college with

plans to transfer to a 4-year college

! Students planning to enroll in a technical or

vocational school

Taxes & Important Details for AB 540 Students

! Taxes from 2013 will be required to complete

application

! If you or your parents do not file taxes, you must provide

an estimate

! Taxes submitted with an Identification Tax ID Number

(ITIN) are welcomed

Deadlines, Application & Notification of Approval

!! Applicants need to apply between January 1, 2014 and March 2, 2014 !! Where can I apply? !! www.caldreamact.org !! How would I know if I qualify? !! A California Aid Report (CAR) will be sent to you via email to notify you if you have qualified

California Dream Act Financial Aid is not Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
!! DACA does not detain students from applying for CA Dream Act financial aid !! DACA is not a pathway to citizenship !! Students who have applied and/or have been approved for DACA should complete the CA Dream Act Application and not the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

AWARDS
Cal Grant A o! At a CSU up to $5,472.00 o! At a UC - up to $12,192.00 o! Independent private - $9,084.00 o! For Profit - $4,000

!! Cal Grant B !! $1,473.00 !! After the first year, also helps to pay tuition and fees upto the same amount of Cal- Grant A !! Cal Grant C !! $547 for books, tools and equipment !! May receive up to $2,462 for tuition

SCHOLARSHIPS!
Who is eligible to apply? - Every student can apply! Scholarships are given to those who show economic necessity, academic achievement, special talents, or circumstances -FREE $ No need to pay back

Scholarships!
- U.S. Citizens -AB 540 -Non AB 540/ Non U.S. Citizen *All eligible to apply if specific scholarship criteria is met FREE $!

Types of scholarships
* Merit-based scholarships: Academic performance(GPA, Test scores) Extracurricular activities (athletic, artistic, volunteer, work experience) -no need to show proof of financial need

Types of Scholarships
*Specific Scholarships: Nationality, gender, religion, race,political affiliation, special needs *Need-based scholarships: personal or family financial situation Low-income or Lower-Middle class fam contribution too high for aide but not enough to pay for college

Types of Scholarships
* General Scholarships: Dont fall into any of the other categories Examples: Are you left handed? Are you a twin? Are you a foster child? FREE $$

Who offers scholarships?

- State government - Colleges -Private organizations/public institutions Examples: organizations such as boy scouts of America, community religious centers, labor unions, etc

How to apply:
Each organization/University will ask for you to share about yourself in various ways: - Writing samples or responses - Letters of recommendation -Resume of activities -Interviews -Projects/creative pieces

How to apply
- Surf the internet for scholarships; explore the university's website for a list of available scholarships -sign up for free scholarship sites -Visit career center at your school - Find out if parents workplace/local orgs offer scholarships

How to apply
-Read the instructions/deadlines for each scholarship -Compile a list of accomplishments, talents, experience -Ask for letters of recommendations -Begin to write your scholarship essay/ personal statement (recycle!) (proofread)

Tips:
*Apply to as many scholarships as you can -set a goal to apply to certain amount a day *Scholarships are not only available for seniors, you can start applying now-your scholarship will be saved * You should not have to pay for any scholarship or search engine

Tips:
* Scholarships are earned by those who take the time to apply * Avoid excuses ( no scholarship fits me, too much work-time, will not receive award) * Sometimes not enough applicants for particular scholarships, so apply when unsure

Scholarship Search
Scholarship websites U.S. Citizens: www.collegeboard.org www.collegenet.com www.fastweb.com www.scholarships101.com

Scholarship Search
A.B. 540 & Non-U.S. Citizenship: www.maldef.org www.e4fc.org www.migrant.net www.education-leadership.org APPLY NOW!!!