COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION SESSION FAFSA Oregon

COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION SESSION • FAFSA • Oregon Promise • College Apps • Scholarships • What to Expect • How to Get Help • Q+A

IMPORTANT TERMS FSA ID ▪ The code you create for FAFSA application ▪ Works as your electronic signature for submitting FAFSA online FAFSA ▪ Free (!) Application for Federal Student Aid : ) ▪ An application to be considered for: grants, scholarships and loans (community college and 4 year college/universities)

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID & WHO CAN APPLY? WHAT IT IS Money to pay for college or career school (Grants, Loans, Scholarships, Work Study) WHO CAN APPLY U. S. Citizens or Permanent Resident ▪ High School Graduate ▪ Valid Social Security Number ▪ Males must be registered for the Selective Service ▪

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES There may be special circumstances that you can talk with your counselor about for applying to the FAFSA! So if you have ANY questions. . Or you are concerned about eligibility, meet with your counselor ASAP. Examples of Special Circumstances: ▪ If you have a SSN and your parents don’t, you can still apply – you can enter zeros for your parents SSN ▪ If you do not have a SSN, you may still qualify for financial aid, see your counselor for more information! ▪ If you are in foster care and over the age of 13, you can apply as an independent

THERE ALWAYS OPTIONS If you do not qualify for the FAFSAapply for ORSAA - there is still money available for you!

FAFSA/ORSA ENROLLMENT OPENS 10/1/18 (FOR THE 2018/19 SY) ▪ Determines a family’s ability to pay for college and their eligibility for financial aid. ▪ Requires 2017 tax information ▪ Must be completed EVERY year while in college. ▪ You can choose up to 10 colleges to send your FAFSA application - for FREE (remember, we said FREEEEE! ; )

STEP 1 - FSA ID REGISTRATION ▪ Website: FSA ID http: //www. fsaid. ed. gov ▪ May be used for future FAFSA applications and managing your federal loans.

STEP 2 – FILL OUT FAFSA ONLINE! OPEN 10/1/17! APPLY ASAP • FIRST COME FIRST SERVED FAFSA SITE http: //www. fafsa. gov Watch for an email from: Federal. Student. Aid. FAFSA@cpsemail. ed. gov CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDERS Also watch for a letter/USPS ▪ Correct mistakes or information as necessary ▪ Check for emails & letters from the schools you applied for through FAFSA ▪ MEET ALL THE DEADLINES ▪

HERE’S A NIFTY SITE FOR HELPING WITH THE STEPS! 8 STEPS TO FILLING OUT THE FAFSA ALSO, REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK YOUR COUNSELOR FOR HELP! : )

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? ▪ You will receive an award letter with details. ▪ You can choose to accept or deny any, or parts, of the package. Make sure you respond by the deadline. ▪ Once you decide on a school, keep in touch with the financial aid office to find out how the aid is dispersed.

UNDERSTANDING THE AWARD LETTER (see green handout for more information) THE AWARD LETTER WILL STATE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE TO YOU GRANTS - Free money LOANS - Money you pay back WORK STUDY – Work for tuition paid You can accept or decline any part of the offer.

TYPES OF LOANS THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF LOANS OFFERED TO YOU SUBSIDIZED • interest free until 6 months after graduation UNSUBSIDIZED • you begin accruing interest immediately Only take loans if you absolutely need them, you will be responsible to pay them back. Federal loans are generally a lower percentage rate than private loans.

COMMON FAFSA ERRORS ▪ ▪ SS number or birth date entered incorrectly Not entering full LEGAL name ▪ Leaving things blank ▪ Not reporting untaxed income (i. e. child support) ▪ Household size ▪ Not including step-parent income info ▪ Missing parent or student signature ▪ Confusing income totals

QUESTIONS FAQ Q - How do colleges determine how much aid I receive? Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need A – With the above formula, “Expected Family Contribution” is based on your FAFSA. Colleges will try to cover your Financial Need with a combination of grants, loans, and scholarships. Q – I haven’t filed taxes yet, how do I know what to report? A – Submit tax information for 2017.

QUESTIONS FAQ Q - My parents are divorced, do I include both of their income information? A - No. If your parents are divorced or separated, you will report the income of the parent you lived with MOST. If that parent is married, you will also include your step-parent’s income.

QUESTIONS FAQ Q - What if I don’t live with my parents? A - If your parents are your legal guardians, you will use their financial information on the FAFSA. Some circumstances allow you to apply as an independent, your counselor can provide you with more information and a confirmation letter if you qualify as an independent. For instance, if you live in foster care, you can apply as an independent.

APPLYING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1. Fill out application online (there is no deadline, but the sooner the better! 1. Plan to take the CPT (College Placement Test). Check with College and Career Center for dates 1. Meet with a counselor at the college to schedule your classes. 1. Apply for scholarships from the school (separate from the FAFSA)

OREGON PROMISE Offers new high school graduates and GED recipients an opportunity to have some or all of community college tuition covered – within 6 months of graduation or GED REQUIREMENTS ▪ Graduate from an Oregon high school or complete GED in Spring/Summer 2019 ▪ Have 2. 5 cumulative GPA or higher ▪ Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in community college ▪ Apply for community college within 6 months of graduating

OREGON PROMISE WEB SITE http: //www. oregonstudentaid. gov/oregon-promise. aspx STEPS TO APPLY ▪ To start community college in Fall of 2019 – apply by April 1 st for early notification ▪ Complete the Oregon Promise Application ▪ Submit your high school transcript or GED scores ▪ Complete the FAFSA or its approved alternative ▪ Once approved, Enroll in an Oregon community college within six months Must accept all state and federal grants ▪

OSAC (OREGON OFFICE OF STUDENT ACCESS AND COMPLETION) WHY OSAC? ONE APPLICATION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO 18 MILLION DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS. . . MONEY YOU DO NOT PAY BACK!!!!! TO APPLY: 1. VISIT: https: //app. oregonstudentaid. gov/ 2. CREATE A USERNAME AND PASSWORD 3. PERSEVERE-THE APPLICATION IS THROUGH

PSU FOUR YEARS FREE �PSU is offering a program that covers standard tuition and fees for qualified students! �To qualify, a student must: ▪ ▪ ▪ Be an Oregon resident Graduate from an Oregon high school Enter PSU as a first year freshman in the fall of 2018 Graduate with at least a 3. 4 high school GPA Receive the federal Pell Grant AND Be enrolled full time at PSU (15 credits per term)

APPLYING TO A UNIVERSITY 1. Fill out an application and attach any essays required. Application deadlines vary – be sure to check the specific school’s deadline 1. After your application is approved, the school will advise you on how to schedule your classes and find housing 1. Apply for scholarships from the school

TRADE SCHOOLS

HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE ▪ Less class time and more work on your own in college. Plan to spend 2 hours of work outside of class, for every hour you are in class. ▪ College classes are generally worth 1 -4 credits each (this is the amount of time you will spend in class per week). ▪ Full time students generally take between 12 -15 credits per term (for 3 terms a year) = 45 credits in 1 year. ▪ You set your own schedule!