University Financial Planning for Parents

Transcription

1 University Financial Planning for Parents Fall 2013

2 Topics Roles of Financial Aid, Bursar, and Loan Offices General Financing Tips Changes in Family Circumstances Financial Aid Requirements and Aid Renewal Process Working at Brown Billing Cycle Student Account Details Federal Loan Options for Parents and Students Financial Literacy for Students Contact Information

3 Office Functions Office of Financial Aid Determines need-based financial aid eligibility annually Counsels students and families of all need levels on managing educational costs Includes the Student Employment Office Bursar Office Student account billing and collection of payment Answers questions and resolves billing issues Counsels students and parents on financing options Enforces payment deadlines and applies late fees Loan Office Processes federal and institutional loans (parent & student) for in-school borrowers Collects and processes deferment/forbearance on Federal Perkins and institutional funds for borrowers in repayment

4 General Financing Tips for Brown Families Encourage students to play an active role in the financial aid process Any award changes/updates are communicated to student via from OFA; awards viewable online Establish and follow a budget Utilize financial literacy tools and participate in sessions offered at Brown Search for outside scholarships to defray federal student loans and/or campus work components Plan for a four-year investment Reapply for financial aid on-time each year

5 Financing Options Start planning for future costs Parent Options Loans: Federal PLUS for parents, federal student loans, private educational loans Brown s Installment Payment Plan (IPP) Spring 2014 enrollment begins on November 15, 2013 Consider utilizing one or more financing options Student options Parent options Financing a Brown Education Planner Located on OFA website: Tool designed to assist with planning and financing educational costs for this year as well as future years

6 Changes in Circumstances Contact the Office of Financial Aid If you have questions about your eligibility or financial aid award Let us know at any time during the year if your family experiences a considerable change in circumstances Complete an appeal form on OFA website to detail these changes Provide specific and detailed supporting documentation Discuss financing options with a Financial Aid Counselor

7 Remaining Financial Aid requirements for Academic Year Satisfy any outstanding requirements Students can check application status on-line Outside Scholarships notify OFA in writing Sibling Enrollment Verification submit documentation from sibling s college by October 4th Loan Requirements complete Federal and University promissory notes and entrance counseling

8 Renewal Process Annual financial aid renewal process In January 2014, the OFA will students information about renewal application process Application forms and instructions Renewal applications due May 1 Financial Aid for upcoming year is based on last complete calendar year data; eligibility for aid may change from year to year Meeting the May 1 deadline is critical for maximum University Scholarship consideration

9 Working At Brown Federal work-study/campus employment component of award is not a requirement Student Employment website: listings for both on-campus and off-campus job openings job search, work tools and advice for students regarding employment tips and guidelines Any questions about working on campus? student_employment@brown.edu or call the Student Employment Office at

10 Student Account Billing Student Account Statements are available electronically at payment.brown.edu Payment.brown.edu allows users to: Access E-Bill View current Student Account balance View, print, or save Student Account statements Monthly statement s to student and authorized user(s) Make online payment via US personal savings or checking Enroll in Installment Payment Plan Important: Students must Set up authorized users to view statements and make payment on behalf of student

11 Student Account Billing Due Dates Term 1: Payment due August 1 Bill available late June Term 2: Payment due January 1 Bill available mid-november Student Account Balances Account balances not paid by the due date are assessed a late payment charge of 1.5% Balance must be below $1,000 to register for upcoming terms and below $100 to receive academic transcripts Spring 2014 Registration begins November 5, 2013 Fall 2014 Registration begins April 15, 2014

12 Payment Options Payments may be made Through Cashier s Office: Cash, check, bank wire transfer Visit brown.edu/cashier for details & bank wire transfer instructions Online through payment.brown.edu: via US personal checking or savings account Installment Payment Plan (IPP) Spring enrollment begins November 15 th Visit brown.edu/bursar for details Financial Aid/Loan credits (excluding work study) Note: No credit card payments accepted

13 Bookstore Charge Privileges Bookstore purchases can be charged to Student Account using Brown ID card $2,000 annual charge limit (June 1- May 31) Summary of charges reflected on Student Account statement Important: Past due Student Account balances over $1,000 will suspend bookstore charging privileges

14 Bear Bucks Optional University-maintained pre-paid debit account on Brown ID card for campus purchases Brown University Dining Services Bookstore, Campus Shop, Computer Store Registrar s Office Library Campus vending and laundry machines Deposits accepted at Cashier s Office or at Value Ports around campus Deposit a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $7,500 Balance available online at selfservice.brown.edu

15 Loans Loans for students Financial Aid Office determines eligibility & awards loans in Offered status Student must actively Accept or Decline loans online Loans for parents Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Parent must apply through the Loan Office Borrow Maximum of Cost of Education less Financial Aid Required to file FAFSA Apply only for amount needed for current academic year Plan ahead; consider the total amount you may borrow over student s entire enrollment Visit brown.edu/loanoffice for PLUS Loan application details

16 Loans Interest Rates Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 Rates will be determined each year, based on the 10 year Treasury Note plus an add-on Fixed Interest Rates 3.86% Subsidized & Unsubsidized Stafford Loans for Undergrads 6.41% PLUS Loans Fixed Rate throughout repayment Repayment Student loans deferred during enrollment (at least ½ time) PLUS loan option to defer during enrollment (at least ½ time) No pre-payment penalty Visit brown.edu/loanoffice for additional details

17 Loan Requirements & Disbursement Students must access selfservice.brown.edu to accept offered loans and view requirements First time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes as instructed August 26 th disbursement date for Fall 2013 loans Incomplete Loan Requirements may result in: Late disbursement Delay in credit balance refunds Balance due on student account, late fees, pre-registration hold Contact Loan Office if loans have not disbursed to Student Account

18 Online Services Selfservice.brown.edu allows students to view Student Account balances Financial aid/loan information and requirements Bear Bucks debit card balances Holds on registration or transcripts Payment.brown.edu allows students and authorized users to View, print, or save Student Account Statements Make online payments Enroll in Installment Payment Plan

19 Get Your Bearings Brown Financial Literacy Series Sessions Include Creating a Budget and Spending Plan Successful Scholarship Searches Credit, Credit Scores, and Credit Cards Tax Workshops Life After Brown Loan Repayment 101: The Basics Loan Repayment 201: Manage Your Loans First Session is during Orientation Get Your Bearings & Save Money Friday, September 6 th at 3:00 Salomon Center Room 001

20 Office Contact Information CONTACT US: Office of Financial Aid J. Walter Wilson, 2 nd Floor Box 1827 Providence RI P (401) financial_aid@brown.edu Web: Bursar's Office 2 nd Fl., Brown Office Bldg Box 1839 Providence, RI P (401) Bursar@brown.edu Web: Loan Office 2 nd Floor Brown Office Bldg Box 1950 Providence, RI P (401) Loans@brown.edu Web: