Planning and Paying for College. Grants, Scholarships, Loans and Other Money for College

Transcription

1 Planning and Paying for College Grants, Scholarships, Loans and Other Money for College

2 10 Important Things to Qualify 1. Submit the FAFSA 2. Submit any other applications 3. Demonstrate financial need 4. Have a high school diploma or equivalent 5. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen 6. Be a state resident 7. Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program 8. Maintain satisfactory academic progress 9. Have a SSN 10. Register with U.S. Selective Service (males 18-25)

3 Types of Financial Aid Grants: money you don t have to repay, typically based on financial need. Scholarships: free money, usually based on your area of study or merit. Work-study or student employment programs: federal and college. Loans: borrowed money that you must pay back, usually with interest.

4 Free Money from the Government Federal Pell Grant up to $5,550 a year Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant up to $750 first-year students; $1,300 for second year Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant up to $4,000 a year National SMART Grant up to $4,000 junior and senior year Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship up to $1,500 for up to 4 years More information on page 4

5 Federal Programs for Teachers Federal TEACH Grants up to $4,000 a year for tuition Federal Loan Forgiveness for Teachers forgives up to $5,000 in federal Stafford loan debt up to $17,300 for highly qualified math, science or special education teachers Federal Perkins Loan Forgiveness forgives part or all of a federal Perkins loan Federal Pell Grants may be used to attend a teacher credential program Teach for America forbearance and interest payment benefits on qualified student loans up to $4,725 a year to repay loans More information on page 4

6 Financial aid for specific populations Foster Youth College-based tuition waivers/scholarships Orphan Foundation of America State-administered grant programs Athletes Students with disabilities Students with dependents Military and their dependents More information on page 5

7 Work-study or student employment Student employment Earn money to pay for college Federal Work-Study Administered through select colleges or your college may have its own program Receive help getting a part-time job on campus or with a local nonprofit agency Amount of the award depends on how early you apply, your financial need and the college s work-study or student employment funds Employment related to your studies may be available Visit the career center for help with general employment More information on page 8

8 Other ways to pay for college Private scholarships National Merit Scholarships Community service Enlist in the military Earn credit in high school Cooperative education Start at a community college Credit for experience 529 college savings plan Part-time work Company-paid education Tax benefits Jobs that help you repay your loans

9 Federal loans: The smart way to borrow Federal Stafford Loans Subsidized Stafford Loans Based solely on financial need Federal government pays the interest while you are in school Unsubsidized Stafford Loans All eligible students can receive them, regardless of income or assets You re responsible for paying the interest while in school

10 A closer look at Stafford loans How to apply: Submit the FAFSA; later you will be asked to sign a master promissory note Interest rate Fixed at 6.8 percent for the life of the loan Subsidized loans for undergraduate study will see a decreasing interest rate until 2012 Fees Origination or default fees up to 1 percent Enrollment at least half time Funds sent directly to your college Repayment begins six months after you graduate

11 Federal Stafford loan limits Year Dependent Undergraduates Independent Undergraduates Graduate and Professional Students First year $5,500 $9,500 $20,500 no more than No more than $3,500 in subsidized loans $8,500 in subsidized loans Second year $6,500 $10,500 Third and beyond (each year) No more than $4,500 may be in subsidized loans $7,500 $12,500 No more than $5,500 in subsidized loans Teacher certification Total amount you can borrow $5,500 $12,500 no more than $5,500 may be in subsidized loans $31,000 $57,500 No more than $23,000 may be in subsidized loans $138,500 no more than $65,500 in subsidized loans

12 How much can you borrow? It depends on: your college s COA your EFC your year in school whether you attend full time or half time whether you re a dependent or an independent student, and how much other financial aid you receive. Your loan and any other financial aid you receive, including private aid, cannot be more than your college expenses.

13 Accrued interest Capitalization: Adding interest to the amount borrowed rather than repaying it as it accrues Example: Borrow $10,000 unsubsidized Stafford Interest is $57 per month Defer paying interest while in school for four years $2,720 of interest accrues after 4 years $12,720 owed when you begin repayment

14 Federal PLUS Loans Enable your parents or stepparents (whose information is reported on your FAFSA) to borrow up to the total cost of your undergraduate study Minus any other aid you may receive Legal guardians cannot borrow PLUS loans for your study See chart on page 15

15 Private loans Often carry higher interest rates and fees than federal loans or home equity loans May have less attractive repayment terms Typically the interest rates are variable Rates can change month to month Usually based on your credit rating and income-to-debt ratio NOT based on financial need May require a co-signer

16 Applying for Financial Aid

17 Applying for financial aid 1. Collect your information SSN, driver s license number, address Federal Student Aid PIN ( And one of your parents PINs Your financial records 2. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web Worksheet 3. Complete the FAFSA online 4. Submit any other applications 5. Review your Student Aid Report 6. Evaluate your financial aid offers

18 Complete the FAFSA online Easiest and fastest way to complete the FAFSA is online Read all the instructions Name must match your SSN Keep a copy for your records E-sign your FAFSA using your PIN Provide an address to receive an estimate of your EFC instantly Use your PIN to check on the status

19 Free help with the FAFSA In person Your school College Goal Sunday workshop in January for dates and locations Online at Click on the Live Help button for help with the paper FAFSA Phone: (M-F til 9:00 pm Pacific Time)

20 Your financial need Cost of attendance (COA) Each college has its own student budget or COA, which includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, food, transportation and personal expenses Expected family contribution (EFC) The amount of money the government believes you or your family could reasonably Your financial need Your COA - Your EFC = Your financial need

21 Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) The SAR is a report from the federal processor summarizing the information you provided on the FAFSA Receive within 72 hours if you submitted the FAFSA online (up to 3 weeks for paper) Lists your EFC for the school year Located at the top of your SAR next to EFC No dollar sign next to it (e.g., 02500)

22 Receiving your financial aid At the beginning of each term Financial aid goes to your college first for tuition and fees, and room and board Grants and scholarships may be sent to you or your school Work-study is paid after you work Reapply each year Most financial aid awards are considered new each school year, so you ll need to submit the FAFSA each year.

23 Your rights and responsibilities Right to ask: Costs and refund policies Percentage of students who complete the program; percentage of students placed in jobs What financial help is available Them to explain the various elements in your financial aid package And more Responsibility to: Research the colleges Know and comply with all application deadlines Respond promptly and provide all information Read and keep copies of all forms Complete loan entrance and exit counseling Repay your student loans And more

24 Managing Your Money

25 Smart money tips Get organized Set up separate files Keep them in a safe place Create a monthly spending plan and stick to it Avoid using credit cards Start saving No matter how little, set aside something every month

26 Know how much you need Expenses during college include more than just tuition and fees Find out current costs for nearly every college Shop around for textbooks Research new and used textbooks Compare ISBNs Check into rental or buyback programs

27 Protect against identity theft Keep your SSN, DOB, Driver s license, passwords and PINs confidential Never give out personal or financial information over the phone or via Be careful sharing personal information Make sure Web sits are secure before providing information Get your free credit report annually Shred all documents Learn more at: or

28 Useful Web sites ACT: AmeriCorps: Cal Grants: College Board: College Savings Plan: EdFund: FAFSA: Federal Financial Aid:

29 Thank you for attending Cathy Hardy Director of Financial Aid Services Naugatuck Valley Community College EdFund, All rights reserved