WI High School Counselor Financial Aid Workshop 2019

WI High School Counselor Financial Aid Workshop 2019

Workshop Sponsors

Welcome! Today’s Facilitators Financial Aid: HEAB: DPI/WEOP:

Today’s Topics FAFSA Updates Case Study # 1 The Value of the FAFSA Hot Topic: What Parent to Use on the FAFSA Case Study # 2 Verification Case Study # 3 Award Determination Case Study # 4 How Need Impacts Awards Hot Topic: Understanding the Dependency Rules HEAB Resources Case Study # 5 Non-Citizens Case Study # 6 No Parental Involvement Hot Topic: Case Study # 7 Parent Refusal of Information Department of Public Instruction

FAFSA. ed. gov

How to Create an FSA ID Step 1: When logging into fafsa. gov, nslds. ed. gov, studentloans. gov or studentaid. gov, you may click the link to create an FSA ID. Step 2: Create a username and password, and enter an email address. Do NOT use a high school email or email that you may lose access to. Step 3: Enter name, DOB, SSN, contact, and challenge questions. Step 4: If you still have an FSA PIN, you can link it to your new FSA ID, or, make a new one if you don’t have the PIN Step 5: Review your information, read and accept the terms and conditions. Step 6: Confirm your email using the secure code sent to it. When you verify your email address, you can use it instead of your username to log in. NOTE: You may sign the FAFSA right away, but to use the other sites, allow 1 – 3 days for the SSA to verify your SSN.

General Financial Aid Timeline Complete FAFSA for 2020 -2021 After October 1, 2019 Submit Inst’l Application/ Verification Material (if requested) Receive Aid Offer Make Enrollment Decision

The Value of the FAFSA Case Study #1

Meet Sasha says her parents don’t want her to complete the FAFSA because they know they won’t be offered any financial aid and she’s already applying for and receiving lots of scholarships.

Why Submit a FAFSA? Scholarship applications may require that information. FAFSA used for more than just federal aid: The State of Wisconsin uses it for grant eligibility determination. Each institution may utilize it for additional grant and scholarship eligibility. Won’t know what eligible for until submitted – gives you a baseline to plan for future years. Insurance policy if you need financial aid in future years – must reapply each year.

Hot Topic: What Parent to Use on the FAFSA

Unmarried Parents Who Live Together If the student’s parents are living together and are not married (or are divorced or are separated and living together), The student should answer the questions about both of them.

Verification Case Study #2

Meet Suzie submitted her FAFSA in October. When she received her SAR, Suzie noticed that her FAFSA was selected for verification. She was informed that she would be contacted by the college as to what needed to be submitted.

Suzie’s SAR SUZANNE SMITH 742 EVERGREEN TERRACE SPRINGFIELD, OH 55555 Dear SUZANNE SMITH, Your Student Aid Report (SAR) summarizes the information you submitted on your 2015 -16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Application Status (review the checked boxes) ü Your FAFSA appears to be complete. Review the data on pages 3 – 10 of your SAR and make corrections or updates if necessary. The school(s) listed on your FAFSA will receive your information. ü Your FAFSA has been selected for verification. Verification is a process where your school confirms the data you reported on your FAFSA. Your school has the authority to contact you for documentation that supports income and other information that you reported on your FAFSA.

IRS Data Retrieval 2018 Tax Data Retrieve tax data directly from the IRS if eligible to use it Cannot be used if: Did not file 2018 taxes Married but filed separately Married after 12/31/2018 Filed Amended Return Filed an extension and have not filed for 2018 Filed Puerto Rican or Foreign Tax Returns If IRS Data Retrieval tool is not used the school may request “ 2018 Tax Return Transcript” or “Signed 2018 1040 Tax Form”

Tax Return Transcript Request directly from the IRS website, www. irs. gov Via online or mail option By phone 1 -800 -908 -9946 Complete and submit IRS form 4506 T. Effective July 2019, the IRS will only mail tax transcript requests to the address on record, NOT to third parties such as the school. Schools CAN accept copies of the 1040 signed by either the filer or the paid preparer.

Award Determination Case Study #3

Meet Roberto, one of your senior honor students, comes to your office wanting to discuss his financial aid award. He knows that his friend Peter has the same family income as he does. Roberto filed the FAFSA and has an EFC of $8, 903. Peter’s EFC is unknown. Roberto is planning to attend UW Oshkosh, while Peter is planning to attend Lawrence University. Roberto has been offered $5, 500 in student loans. All Roberto knows is that Peter has been offered grants from Lawrence. What kinds of suggestions and/or comments do you have for Roberto?

Remember! There are several factors that go into determining a student’s financial aid award.

School Choice Compare cost of attendance at different schools Research – is there a difference in available institutional grant/scholarships between those schools?

EFC Calculation: oll eg e ily nc fam FAFSA #i # in d s Pai Taxe e om Inc Assets • Established by Congress • Uses both parent AND student info (for DEP students) • Has standard income and asset protection allowances **Adjustments to EFC may be made by the Fin. Aid Office due to Verification and/or Special Circumstances that limit ability to pay. ** Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Net Price Calculators • Federally mandated • Based on income information and, sometimes, academic information • Will provide at least the following information: • Estimated total cost of attendance • Total estimated merit- and need-based grant aid • Estimated net price (price of attendance minus gift aid)

Net Price Calculator Examples • University of Wisconsin – Madison Ø • Viterbo University Ø • http: //finaid. wisc. edu/award-estimator. php http: //www. viterbo. edu/admcost. aspx Waukesha County Technical College Ø http: //www. wctc. edu/become-a-student/how-topay/calculator/npcalc. htm **Find ANY calculator for ANY college/university** collegecost. ed. gov/netpricecenter. aspx

How Need Impacts Awards Case Study # 4

Meet Emily Full Need Student Emily is applying to college, but is worried about affordability. She has completed a FAFSA and her Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is 0. Emily might think that this means her family won’t be expected to contribute towards her college costs, but she needs to understand that college still may not be free. Even with grants and scholarships, she may still have a “gap” that will need to be covered by loans or paid out-ofpocket. Here are some things Emily will need to know:

What is the Cost of Attendance? Tuition and fees + Room and board + Transportation + Books and supplies + Miscellaneous living expenses = Cost of Attendance (COA)

Emily’s COA at: College 1 Tuition & Fees Room & Board Book & Supplies Transportation Miscellaneous Total Cost of Attendance College 2 $30, 400 $9, 800 $1, 500 $300 $4, 000 Tuition & Fees Room & Board Books & Supplies Transportation Miscellaneous $46, 000 Total Cost of Attendance $9, 800 $8, 900 $1, 200 $3, 200 $23, 400

What are the Direct Costs? Costs for which the student will receive a BILL: Tuition and fees Room & board, if living on campus College 1 Tuition & Fees Room & Board $30, 400 $9, 800 College 2 Tuition & Fees Room & Board Indirect costs: Estimated so that the student can plan but are not billed and can vary depending on class enrollment (books/supplies) or the students’ spending habits (cell phone plan, etc). $9, 800 $8, 900

“Free Money” vs. Loans Grants Federal – Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) State – Wisconsin Grant Scholarships – Institutional, Community, Business, Organizational Work Study/Other Employment Loans Subsidized/unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Private/alternative loans Gift Aid - FREE Self-Help Aid

Emily’s Financial Aid Offers College 1 University Scholarship WI Grant Pell Grant University Grant Total FREE Aid Sub Direct Loan Unsub Direct Loan Federal Work Study Total Self-Help Aid Total Aid Offer College 2 $13, 500 $2, 900 $6, 095 $6, 800 $29, 295 $3, 500 $2, 000 $1, 500 $7, 000 $36, 295 University Scholarship WI Grant Pell Grant Total FREE Aid Sub Direct Loan Unsub Direct Loan Federal Work Study Total Self-Help Aid Total Aid Offer $3, 500 $2, 900 $6, 095 $12, 495 $3, 500 $2, 000 $1, 500 $7, 000 $19, 495

Understanding Emily’s Offers Federal work study does not disburse to a student’s account Based on the offers, are her direct costs completely covered? Will any of her indirect costs be covered as well? College 1 College 2 Tuition & Fees $30, 400 Tuition & Fees $9, 800 Room & Board $8, 900 Total FREE Aid $29, 295 Total FREE Aid $12, 495 $7, 000 Total Self-Help Aid

Meet Ben’s EFC is $6, 100 - too high to qualify for Pell Grant He doesn’t qualify for the WI Grant at all colleges- depends on the college’s tuition cost. Based on the offers, are his direct costs completely covered?

Ben’s COA at: College 2 College 1 Tuition & Fees $30, 400 Tuition & Fees $9, 800 Room & Board $8, 900 Book & Supplies $1, 500 Books & Supplies $1, 200 Transportation $300 Miscellaneous $4, 000 Miscellaneous $3, 200 Total Cost of Attendance $46, 000 Total Cost of Attendance $23, 400

Ben’s Financial Aid Offers College 1 University Scholarship WI Grant University Grant Total FREE Aid Sub Direct Loan Unsub Direct Loan Federal Work Study Total Self Help Aid Total Aid Offer College 2 $12, 000 $2, 900 $6, 800 $21, 700 $3, 500 $2, 000 $1, 500 $7, 000 $28, 700 University Scholarship $2, 000 Total FREE Aid $2, 000 Sub Direct Loan Unsub Direct Loan Federal Work Study Total Self Help Aid $3, 500 $2, 000 $1, 500 $7, 000 Total Aid Offer $9, 000

Comparing Ben’s Offers Federal work study does not disburse to a student’s account Based on the offers, are his direct costs completely covered? College 1 College 2 Tuition & Fees $30, 400 Tuition & Fees $9, 800 Room & Board $8, 900 Total Aid Offer $28, 700 Total Aid Offer $9, 000

How Can Students Cover the “Gap? ” Are there scholarships they haven’t yet applied for? Is the parent willing to borrow a parent PLUS loan to help with costs? Is there a payment plan available that works for the family? How will “indirect costs” (other living expenses) be covered? Is the student planning to work while attending school? Have they contacted the university’s financial aid office to ask about other options?

Other “Gap” Resources Government Related o Ameri. Corps www. nationalservice. gov o Veteran’s benefits/tuition waivers o ROTC scholarships and/or stipends o Bureau of Indian Affairs Grants o Dept. of Vocational Rehab (DVR) College Savings Plans 529 Education Savings Plans (Ed. Vest) www. edvest. com

HOT TOPIC Understanding Dependency Rules

Student Dependency Status If you can check ANY of the following boxes, you will not have to provide parental info. If you check NONE of the following boxes, you will be asked to provide parental info. q I was born before January 1, 1996 q I am married q I will be working on a master’s or doctorate program (e. g. MA, MBA, MD, JD, Ph. D, Ed. D, graduate certificate) q I am serving on active duty in the U. S. Armed Forces q I am a veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces. q I now have or will have children for whom I will provide more than half of their support between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 q Since I turned aged 13, both of my parents were deceased q I was in foster care since turning age 13 q I have dependents (other than children or my spouse) who live with me and I provide more than half of their support q I was a dependent or ward of the court since turning age 13 q I am currently or I was an emancipated minor q I am currently or I was in legal guardianship q I am homeless or am at risk of being homeless

HEAB Resources Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board

Meet Allan High School Counselor Allan has received an e-mail from the Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES/TES) coordinator telling him that the AES and Technical Excellence Scholarship (TES) nomination form is now available. Allan has received the online instructions – what is his first step?

AES/TES Online Nomination Allan needs to have the following information of the recipient/s before completing the form: Name of the scholar as they would like to have it appear on the certificate. Home address, city, state, zip code and phone number. Students’ e-mail address (not a high school e-mail address). Cumulative GPA as shown on the official transcript. Social security number is required. If the student does not wish to provide one, they cannot participate. Anticipated school choice.

AES/TES Timeline JANUARY – HEAB emails nomination and online nomination form instructions. February 25 – deadline for the school board to designate the academic excellence and technical excellence scholar(s). These designations are final. March 1 – deadline for high school counselors to submit online nomination forms with the names of the recipients and alternates MARCH – AES/TES recipients are contacted via email by HEAB confirming if the student intends to accept the scholarship and to which participating school s/he plans to attend. Late April – May – HEAB sends AES/TES certificates to high schools for presentation to the scholars. Alternates do not receive certificates. HEAB begins the alternate selection process. Contact Cassie Weisensel, HEAB Grant Specialist, for any questions about AES/TES Email: cassie. weisensel@Wisconsin. gov

Meet Brock is a lifelong Wisconsin resident attending a Minnesota institution which participates in the MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity Agreement. Brock was charged out of state tuition. Why was he charged as an out of state student?

MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity Students benefit have to apply to receive the Schools may indicate the possibility of this benefit in a financial aid package, but no benefit will be allowed unless the student applies for and is approved by HEAB. Step for Brock: Apply for the benefit: heab. wi. gov/reciprocity

Non-citizens Case Study #5

Meet Julia comes to you because although she is extremely bright with high test scores, she’s the child of immigrant parents who will be unable to assist with her college costs. You know she is not a U. S. Citizen.

Who’s Eligible for Aid? U. S. Citizens Eligible non-citizens: Ø Ø Ø U. S. Nationals U. S. Permanent residents (green card – that are actually blue) Have a I-94 showing refugee, asylum granted, Cuban-Haitian entrant (status pending), or parolee Student (or parent) holds a T-visa (victim of human trafficking) Battered immigrant-qualified alien Citizens of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

Julia has DACA Status Deferred action for childhood arrivals Announced by homeland security on June 15, 2012 Applies to undocumented youths who have lived in the U. S. From a very young age Deferred action for 2 years, but may be renewed Does NOT provide an individual with lawful status, but most are also granted work authorization and may be eligible for a SSN

DACA and Financial Aid Not eligible for federal financial aid Not eligible for resident (in-state) tuition in Wisconsin May be eligible for: Scholarships University/college specific financial aid Private loans On path towards citizenship?

What Should Julia Do? Ø Consider low cost schools, living at home, etc. Ø Research schools that provide institutional aid to undocumented students Ø Find out if the school accepts rejected FAFSA or uses other applications Ø Apply for scholarships Ø Talk to lenders about citizenship requirements for their private student loan programs Ø Check with Julia’s country embassy or the appropriate government office for options Ø Work and save!

No Parental Involvement Case Study # 6

Meet Jack is a senior who has been accepted to three of the colleges that he applied to but is worried about filling out the FAFSA without parent information. You first met with Jack a year and a half ago after learning that his parents had kicked him out of their home when he came out to them. At the time, Jack was bouncing from one friend’s house to the next. At the time, you filed the appropriate paperwork and Jack is considered homeless under the Mckinney. Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. He currently lives with his grandmother but has had no contact with his parents and they currently provide no financial support to him.

Steps for Jack File Ø the FAFSA and say YES to: “At any time on or after July 1, 2019 were you determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, as determined by your high school or district homeless liaison. ” Contact the schools about required documentation and possibility for dependency override Prepare documentation Ø Proof of Mckinney-Vento status Ø Written statement explaining personal situation Ø Get 1 -3 letters of support Find LGBT resources at college/university

Steps for HS Counselor Ø Document contacts with student Ø Be willing to write letter of support Ø Encourage other school staff to do the same Ø Provide or guide student to College Resources for assistance

Parent Refusal Of Information Case Study # 7

Meet Aaron, who just turned 18, is wondering if he can complete the FAFSA without his parents’ information. He tells you that his parents will not help him pay for college and that they refuse to provide their information because they don’t want to be obligated in any way to pay for his education. What do you tell Aaron? Can Aaron file as an independent student? What options does Aaron have?

When parents refuse to complete FAFSA Ø FA professional can use Professional Judgment to award a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Ø It must be verified that parent(s) have ended financial support of the student and refuses to file the FAFSA. Ø Support includes payment of educational expenses, cash and non-cash support to the student such as room and/or board

Things to Discuss with Parents Ø FAFSA information is confidential Ø Not a “cosigner” for federal direct loans Ø Student will not be eligible for potential grants without a FAFSA

Department of Public Instruction Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP)

Meet Shawn is receiving free or reduced price meals. His mom and dad never went to college. Shawn comes to you with a lot of questions about how he is going to pay for college. He completed his FAFSA and has a $0 EFC. Besides completing the FAFSA, are there any other resources through WEOP that Shawn could consider?

Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant Financial Need Criteria: q Dependent student with EFC of $200 or less q Independent student with EFC of $200 or less q Dependent student’s family is receiving TANF benefits q Independent student receiving TANF benefits q Dependent student’s parent(s) ineligible for unemployment and has no current income from employment q Independent student and spouse if applicable, ineligible for unemployment and has no current income from employment

Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant Nontraditional/Disadvantaged Criteria: q Student is or will be enrolled in special academic support program due to insufficient academic preparation q Student is first-generation postsecondary student q Student is disabled according to Dept. of Health & Social Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation records q Student is currently or was formerly incarcerated in a correctional institution q Student’s environmental and academic background deters the pursuit of education plans

GEAR UP Scholarship Students that were enrolled in the DPI GEAR UP Program may be eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship. The program has been offered in target schools in the following school districts: Ashland Madison DC Everest Milwaukee Eau Claire Racine Green Bay Wausau Contact the local DPI WEOP office to determine if a student is eligible for the GEAR UP Scholarship

Meet Kendra is a current high school freshmen. She has no idea about what she wants to do after high school. She receives free/reduced priced meals at school. Her parents don’t encourage her much and can’t afford extracurricular activities. She is looking for ways to expand her learning. What opportunities does WEOP provide for students like Kendra that she could consider?

DPI Pre. College Scholarship Ø Offered at 30 different colleges/universities across the state with over 140 programs to choose from. Ø Students entering grades 6 – 12 are eligible Ø Some programs are residential, while others are not, but all give students a sense of college life Ø Scholarship pays tuition, room and board, and any additional programs costs.

DPI Precollege Scholarships Students can receive up to three scholarships between July 1 - June 30 Scholarship pays tuition, room and board, and any additional program costs. Visit https: //dpi. wi. gov/weop/precollege for an application

DPI WEOP Outreach Services WEOP has seven offices across the state of Wisconsin Provide free financial aid workshops and one-on-one advising for 11 th and 12 th grade students and their families Services offered are designed to help students and families plan, prepare, and pay for college Special attention is focused on the needs of students attending high schools serving low-income areas in urban and rural environments alike

Resources

Get FAFSA Help • Free program to help families complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • 43 events at 41 locations • ATTEND AN EVENT TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A SCHOLARSHIP! • 99 percent of the families felt it was worth attending

College Goal Wisconsin 2019 -2020 COLLEGE GOAL WISCONSIN IS BACK! Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mondays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 Thursday October 17 Monday, November 4 Wednesday, November 6 ALL EVENTS START PROMPTLY AT 6 P. M. For location information: Visit www. Collegegoalwi. Org

Federal Student Aid www. studentaid. ed. gov Information and details on the FAFSA and financial aid process Resources – info graphics, handouts, etc Twitter – Follow @FAFSA #Ask. FASFA Office Hours, once a month Facebook You. Tube Budgeting Myths About Aid

WASFAA Resources: www. wasfaa. net Connect with Financial Aid Professionals at WI Colleges and Universities View upcoming events, access information and resources, etc.

Questions? Please make sure to complete your evaluation!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!

WASFAA College Access Resource Committee objective: to educate students, parents, teachers, and school counselors about the availability of financial aid and the application process. www. wasfaa. net