Scholarship and Financial Aid Terminology FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college permanent resident students (undergraduate and graduate) in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid (including the Pell Grant, Federal student loans and Federal Work-Study).[1] Despite its name, the application is not for a single federal program, being rather the gateway of consideration for: 1. the nine federal student-aid programs 2. the 605 state aid programs 3. most of the institutional aid available 4. for California residents this is also how you get the Cal Grant The U.S. Department of Education begins accepting the application beginning January 1 of each year for the upcoming academic year. Each application period is 18 months; most federal, state, and institutional aid is provided on a first come, first served basis. The FAFSA consists of numerous questions (at least 130 for the 2010 2011?? academic year) regarding a student's (and his or her family's) assets, income, and dependency. These are entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A number of factors are used in determining the EFC including the household size, income, number of students from household in college and assets (not including retirement and 401(k) funds). FAFSA has several different types of financial aid. The five most common types of aid: 1. Pell Grant A grant of up to $5,550 for students with low EFCs. 2. Stafford Loan If unsubsidized, the interest is 6.8% and accumulates onto the outstanding balance. If subsidized, the interest is lower (3.5%) and is paid by the government
while the student is enrolled at least half time. 3. Federal Perkins Loan A loan that is like the Stafford but is lent directly by schools that are Title IV-eligible (???). Interest rate 5%. 4. The Federal Work-Study Program A program where students can get part-time work, up to a certain amount. The federal government pays the school based on the hours worked, and the school in turn pays the student's salary. 5. Cal Grants (see below) CAL GRANTS OVERVIEW NEED CASH FOR COLLEGE? YOU COULD GET A CAL GRANT. Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college. For starters, it's money you don't have to pay back. If you're a graduating high school senior or recent graduate, meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements and submit two forms by the Cal Grant deadline, you may receive a Cal Grant! What is the Cal Grant deadline? You must apply by March 2 to maximize your opportunity to receive an award. If you miss the March 2 Cal Grant deadline AND you plan to attend a community college in the fall, you have until September 2 to apply. However, the number of Cal Grant awards is limited. How Much Money Are We Talking About? With a Cal Grant you can get up to $12,192 a year to pay for college expenses at any qualifying California college, university or career or technical school in California. Depending on which Cal Grant you get, the money can be used for tuition, room and board, even books and pencils. The best part is, it's yours to keep and you don't have to pay it back. Here's How to Apply. Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and September 2 and submit a verified Cal Grant GPA anytime between November and the September 2 deadline. If you meet the income, eligibility, and GPA requirements, the cash is yours. You can fill out the FAFSA online. To submit a verified Cal Grant GPA, first check with your school to see if they will do it for you. If not, you can go online and download a GPA Verification form, fill out the student section and take it to your school.
PLUS Loans Available to the parents of students attending college. GLOW Scholarship: GLOW has a matching scholarship model. It is relatively new, but it appears they double a student s savings for college, up to a total of $6K (student contributes $2K and they do $4K). Need to verify this. FCE Foundation for College Education Has a high school program as well as gives scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Scholarships are usually renewable. Students Rising Above Scholarship Students Rising Above invests in low-income, first generation college students who have demonstrated a deep commitment to education and strength of character in overcoming tremendous odds of poverty, homelessness, and neglect. We help each student to realize his or her potential by guiding and supporting them through college graduation, and into the workforce. Our graduates are breaking the cycle of poverty within their own families, serving their communities, providing a new generation of employees and leaders from diverse backgrounds, and accelerating positive change. Many times students in SRA are more set so don t need POE. PCF Peninsula College Foundation PCF is a similar program to POE, except they are newer, smaller and more focused on growing. They give $3K scholarships for 4 years (do not support students in the 5 th or 6 th year) and have a mentor for each student. They offer programs to their students, including college success weekends. They emphasize the mentoring piece, but according to some of our overlapping students, our mentoring is better. PCF is only available at certain high schools (Woodside, Sequoia, Summit, Eastside, MA, Paly and Gunn). GPA cap? MVLA Scholars Mountain View Los Altos Scholarship Given to students attending Mountain View and Los Altos high schools. MVLA has very similar students to POE (lots of overlap in students). They offer renewable scholarships, usually around $3K per year, and have a mentoring program. Mi Pueblo Scholarship Started in 2011 appear to be one year scholarships of $500- $2500. Checks are sent straight to the school in the fall.
Bay Area Gardeners Scholarship A one year scholarship for $1500 that students can apply to every year (even when they are in college). It was started by a gardener whose son went to Berkeley and wanted to give back to first generation students to let them know that people believed they could do it. Gunn Foundation One time scholarships for graduating Gunn high school seniors of $3K given to students with family income of less than $100K, if they apply. Ruth Donk Scholarship One time award given to an M-A Senior University Club Scholarship The University Club in Palo Alto offers a few scholarships every year to students that are similar to POE. The UC scholarship if for 4 years and is $4K per year. They don t provide mentors. Sequoia Awards The Sequoia awards are scholarships given to seniors in high school who live in Redwood City community and have been actively volunteering their time. They are frequently just one year awards usually $5,000. AVID Programs Achievement via Individual Determination. AVID classes are offered at most of the public high schools where we recruit students. It is an elective that students can take for 4 years. It helps first generation students with the college process as well as provides tutoring and support. Many of the AVID teachers write recommendations for the students who apply to POE. We frequently present to the AVID senior class in January telling them about POE and why they should apply. College Track College Track is a national education nonprofit that empowers students from underserved communities to reach their dreams of a college degree. Our mission is to close the achievement gap and create college-going cultures for students who are historically and currently under-represented in higher education.
We actively engage students over the course of eight years, from the summer before high school through college graduation. Our students join College Track with limitless aspirations and we provide them with a comprehensive program and encouraging learning environment that empowers them to succeed. 100% of our seniors graduate from high school, more than 90% are admitted to a four-year university, and 75% of our college students are currently enrolled, or have graduated from, college (whereas, nationally, the college graduation rate of lowincome students is 22%). Over 85% of our students will be the first person in their family to earn a college degree. E4FC Education for Fair Consideration (Undoc program) Founded in 2006, Educators for Fair Consideration supports undocumented young people in realizing their academic and career goals and actively contributing to society. We offer holistic programming that addresses their financial, legal, career, and emotional health needs. Specifically, we provide scholar-ships, legal services, professional and personal development workshops, and a strong peer network. We also lead presentations and create education-al materials to raise awareness and support nationwide. Our programming is designed by and for undocumented young people with support from committed allies. GPAs Unweighted GPA Takes into consideration all classes 9-12. The difficulty of the class doesn t matter. (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1). Max GPA is 4.0. Weighted GPA AP and Honors classes are given an addition point in the GPA, other classes are still on the 4.0 scale. If the weighted GPA = unweighted GPA, then the student took no hard classes. If the weighted GPA is.2 or.3 higher, then the student averaged a couple hard/college level classes each year, which is impressive. UC 10-12 GPA (Weighted A-G GPA) This looks at classes from 10 th grade on, gives an extra point to classes the UC has approved of as being hard enough (but not more than 2 per year) and only counts courses required for the A-G UC eligibility requirement. Does Cal Grant use this GPA? No I don t think so. They use the CSU gpa Bogg Waiver for community colleges The California Board of Governors has adopted the fee waiver (BOGFW) for eligible students to assist with the enrollment fees ($46/unit). To receive this assistance, students must complete a Fee Waiver Application
or must have applied for financial aid through the FAFSA, and be a California resident. Undocumented Students Undocumented students do not qualify for the same financial aid as those that are citizens. The PELL grant is NOT available to undocumented students, but with the California DREAM Act, a Cal Grant is available (though I think it is smaller). As of Fall 2012 most of our undocumented students are also eligible for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). DACA allows students a reprieve from deportation and gives them a work permit so they can now work legally in the US. The California DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act is a package of California state laws that allow children who were brought into the US under the age of 16 without proper visas/immigration documentation who have attended school on a regular basis and otherwise meet in-state tuition and GPA requirements to apply for student financial aid benefits. AB540 Students are undocumented students who have attended at least 3 years of CA high school so are eligible for in state tuition at state school. (There is more to this definition, but for POE this is the most important part.) Starting at Community College: Students attending CC should enroll in the summer course Guidance 50. By taking this course students will be given priority registration for fall term as they are continuing students. The Transfer Agreement Program (TAP) guarantees students transfer to specific 4 year colleges if the students maintain a pre-set gpa. e.g. Foothill students may attend UCSC, SJSU, Santa Clara Univ. and some others under the TAPprogram.