IMPORTANT THINGS HAZLETON AREA HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE PREPARATORY

IMPORTANT THINGS HAZLETON AREA HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE PREPARATORY SENIORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCIAL AID HAHS Guidance / J M Samoyedny

GET YOUR PARENTS IN THE LOOP. It is important to discuss your college goals and costs with your folks. They play an integral role in determining whether or not you have enough money to cover your educational costs. Share your plans, THE PHEAA GUIDE, scholarships, and other important information.

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID Scholarships (merit-based money) and Grants (gift money) � Come from a variety of sources, including federal and state governments, colleges, organizations, foundations, etc. � This money does not have paid back. Loans � Need to be repaid, some after college graduation

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID Work Study � Federal and state program money can be used for a variety of college expenses � School-sponsored job program; work on- or offcampus � Apply for via the FAFSA Summer Jobs Savings

COMPLETE THE FAFSA ON THE WEB. F A F S A Free!!! Application (for) Federal Student Aid

FAFSA DETAILS Complete this application online at www. fafsa. gov www. fafsa. ed. gov www. studentaid. ed. gov DO NOT GO TO www. fafsa. com !!! www. fafsa. com is a fee-based site, and the FAFSA is FREE!

FAFSA DETAILS The application is now completed with income from 2015 tax information It checks for eligibility for federal and Pennsylvania State Aid. List the most expensive Pennsylvania school FIRST. You will receive notices from the government and financial aid packages from the schools you listed on the FAFSA. Follow instructions. IRS Data Retrieval Tool*

BE MINDFUL OF DEADLINES! The deadline for submitting the FAFSA on the WEB for Pennsylvania residents is May 1, 2017. Some program deadlines are August 1, 2017. The school you plan to attend might have an earlier deadline. PSU Priority Deadline is March 1, 2017 Bloomsburg, etc. Deadline is March 15, 2017 LCCC’s Scholarship Deadline is April 15, 2017

A TALE OF TWO APPLICATIONS… In addition to completing the FAFSA, Pennsylvania residents must also complete the requirements for the Pennsylvania State Grant. You must either: Watch for the LINK at the end of the FAFSA application process -- or – Go to www. pheaa. org to complete the application. Remember to mail the signature page to the PHEAA Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS Some schools require other financial aid applications. They might have their own forms, etc. Some schools require the CSS Profile, available from the College Board website. (Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. )

FAFSA 4 CASTER/Net Cost Calculator Other useful websites to predict your family contribution www. fafsa 4 caster. ed. gov Colleges also have a required link in the admissions or financial aid sections of their website called “Net Cost Calculator” or “Net Price Calculator. ”

SPECIAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS Be aware of special federal and Pennsylvania financial aid programs. � Loan forgiveness for particular majors (certain education majors, nursing, armed forces, etc. ) � Awards for certain science and technology majors � Grants for foster children, 9/11 children, etc. Read the PHEAA GUIDE and share it with your parents!

FINANCIAL AID EVENTS AT HAHS Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016 Time: 9: 30 A. M. Financial Aid Overview and FAFSA Completion Location: HAHS Library Bring your FSA ID and tax information with you! Get your FSA ID at www. fsaid. ed. gov. The FSA ID Café will take place on October 4,

FINANCIAL AID EVENTS A representative of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will present “How to apply for financial aid with the FAFSA. ” It’s free In-depth review of financial aid types and sources Includes FAFSA tutorial

FAFSA COMPLETION HELP Even if the annual “FINANCIAL AID EVENT” has passed, there are several options available to help you complete the FAFSA. � College Financial Aid Office � PHEAA Regional Representative � Local FAFSA Completion Sessions � SPARC Representative � Your tax preparer or accountant � Your high school guidance counselor

SCHOLARSHIPS Visit the STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER in the guidance office. Available LOCAL scholarship details and application materials are updated WEEKLY. LOCAL versus NATIONAL

SCHOLARSHIPS This is money that can be used for educational purposes � Tuition � Room and Board � Transportation � Books � Entertainment � Etc.

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES There are several NATIONAL websites available where you can apply for additional scholarship money. � www. questbridge. org � www. fastweb. com � www. meritaid. com � www. gocollege. com � www. scholarships. com

KEEP YOUR PARENTS PROUD! College acceptances are published in the Standard-Speaker weekly column each Tuesday. To get your name on the list, see your counselor.

SENIOR CLASS SURVEY In the latter part of May 2017 counselors will meet with seniors to finalize their post-high school plans. The “SENIOR CLASS SURVEY” accomplishes several things – � Informs the guidance staff where to send final transcripts � Reports demographic information to the state � Assists the school in compiling the most recent profile data � Tallies the total scholarship money awarded to the Class of 2017

GOOD LUCK! We wish you the best of luck with finalizing your college plans! We will always do our best to fulfill your requests and answer your questions. Keep in touch with us!