Applying for Financial Aid2012-2013 Academic Year

Financial Aid ServicesTelephone: 860-439-2058

E-Mail: finaid@conncoll.edu

What you will learn:

• What financial aid is

• Sources of financial aid

• When and how to apply

• How to pay the bill

Helpful Advice

• Visit college web sites for application requirements and deadline dates

• All colleges should have a net price calculator available on their web site to help you determine what your family contribution might be.

NET PRICE CALULATORTIPS

•Carefully read all instructions and pop ups.•All Net Price calculators are not alike.

•Each college builds theirs based on their policies.

•Try to guesstimate as closely as possible.•Don’t forget untaxed income.•Outcome is a ballpark figure, not an offer.

More Advice www.finaid.com

Better Business Bureauwww.bbb.com

Studentaid.ed.gov

Funding a College Education Who Are the Players?

Family

Federal & State Governments

Outside agencies

The college

How Much Financial Aid Will Be Offered?

• Dependent on a family’s ability to pay • Dependent on the funding available

from the federal and state governments and the college.

• Were the financial aid applications and supporting documentation submitted by the deadline date?

Definition of Financial NeedCost of Attendance

Expected family contribution (EFC)

Other financial assistance

Financial need

LESS

LESS

EQUALS

Comparison of Need by Cost(Assumes full-time enrollment)

4 Year Private 4 Year Public 2 Year Public

Cost of Education $50,000 $20,000 $ 7,000

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) $10,000 $10,000 $10,000

Need $40,000 $10,000 0

Meeting the Full Need and Gapping

College A B

Cost of Education $50,000 $50,000

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

$ 10,000 $ 10,000

Need $40,000 $40,000

Aid Awarded $40,000 $30,000

Unmet Need 0 $10,000

Cost of AttendanceTuition and FeesRoom and BoardBooks and SuppliesTransportationStudy Away ExpensesDisability ExpensesMiscellaneous and Personal Expenses

(purchase of a computer)

Family Contribution Components

Parent(s)’ 2011 income Including untaxed income such as: child support

received, annual contributions made to a retirement plan Student’s 2011 income Value of parent’s assets

Exclude principal value of retirement accounts Include cash, college savings plans, other savings, trusts,

bonds, money market, CD’s. Value of student’s assets

Include cash, savings, trusts, bonds, money market, CD’s. Number of household members Number of dependents attending college at least

half-time

Eligibility Assessed Using Federal Methodology

Based on information reported on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, 2012-2013)

Formula determined by Congress that is used to determine eligibility for federal and most state funds

Home equity excludedNo information from the non-custodial parentCustodial parent and stepparent incomes are

included Parent contribution divided by the # of

dependents attending college at least half-time

Eligibility Assessed Using Institutional Methodology

Based on information provided on the CSS Profile or a custom institutional application

Used by schools to award their own funds Home equity might be added in Information from the non-custodial parent is

required Tax losses may be added back Depreciation associated with a business or

investment property may be added back Parent contribution might not be divided equally

and no allowance for graduate school Minimum student contribution

Remember! Grants/Scholarshhips do not have to be

repaid (unless a student withdraws during a term). Grants are typically awarded based on need and scholarships are typically awarded based on merit or athletic ability.

Student loans must be repaid Federal Work Study provides

income, which does not have to be repaid, from a part-time job

Grants/Scholarshhips do not have to be repaid (unless a student withdraws during a term). Grants are typically awarded based on need and scholarships are typically awarded based on merit or athletic ability.

Student loans must be repaid Federal Work Study provides

income, which does not have to be repaid, from a part-time job

Sources of Need Based Aid Federal Grants

(Funding for 2012-2013 has not yet been determined)Federal Pell Grant – $5,550Federal SEOG Grant – up to $4,000Federal TEACH Grant – up to $4,000

Studentaid.ed.gov for detailed information about these programs.

Sources of Need Based Aid – Federal Loans and Student

Employment studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Perkin Loans – up to $5,500 Interest rate is 5% fixed Program may change for next year

Federal Direct Stafford Loan – 1st year = up to $5,500 ($3,500 subsidized) 2nd year = up to $6,500 ($4,500 subsidized) 3rd-5th year = up to $7,500 ($5,500 subsidized) Interest rate is 3.40% for 2011-2012 academic year Fees = 1% with an up front rebate of .5%

Federal Work Study - no limit but average range is $1,200 to $2,000 Students work approximately 8 – 10 hours per week Most paychecks are issued via direct deposit

Sources of Need Based State Aid ctdhe.org

State grants for CT residentsConnecticut Independent College Grant –

award amount determined by CollegeCT Aid for Public College Student Grant –

award amount determined by College

Sources of Institutional Grants and Outside Resources

Institutional Grants/Scholarships are provided by the college either from tuition revenue and/or endowed funds and annual gifts.

Outside Resources – Employee Tuition BenefitNational Merit, Rotary, Garden Club, etc.

High school guidance officewww.finaid.org

Student Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen• a permanent U.S. resident with a Permanent

Resident Card (I-551);– a conditional permanent resident (I-551C);– the holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-

94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parolee” (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired) or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant.”

Student Eligibility Requirements, con’t.

• If male and age 18 must register for Selective Service;

• Have a valid social security number;• Must be enrolled as a regular student in an

eligible degree or certificate program;• Must have a high school diploma or an

equivalent;• While enrolled in college, must make

satisfactory academic progress.• Must have resolved any drug conviction

issue.

Forms Required

College A B C

FAFSA X X X

CSS Profile X X

College Form X X

Tax Returns & W2 Statements

X

Non-Custodial Parent’s Form

X X

Business Supplement

X X

Due Date 03/15 02/15 02/01

FAFSA on the Web Homepagewww.fafsa.ed.gov

Free Application for Federal Student Aid, 2012-2013

FAFSA• Can’t file prior to 01/01/2012• Required by all schools• Used to determine eligibility for

federal/state need based aid• Student and one parent should apply

for a pin # now to sign the FAFSA electronically

www.pin.ed.gov

Helpful Tips When Completing the FAFSA

Print out the FAFSA on the Web WorksheetHave your 2011 federal tax return and W2

statements in front of you or prepare a draft 2011 federal tax return.

You can also use your 2010 federal tax return if income will be similar to 2011.

It is okay to estimate!

Helpful Tips When Completing the FAFSA

• Parents and students must provide their SSNs – if a parent does not have a SSN, enter zeros.

• When reporting assets, report the value as of the date the FAFSA is completed minus the debt owed. Investment property Stocks, bonds, money market fundsCD’s, mutual funds, stock options, trustsCoverdell savings accounts, college savings

plansBusiness/investment farm value

Helpful Tips When Completing the FAFSA

• Assets not to report:– Value of your home– Retirement plans (pension funds,

annuities, non-education IRAS, Keogh plans)

• Must also report as income:– Annual contributions to a retirement plan– Housing allowance paid to members of

the military, clergy and others– Child support

IRS Data Retrieval Process

• Option to have the IRS populate the FAFSA – strongly recommend.

• However, if you have not yet completed your 2011 taxes, you are prompted to provide estimated information.

Filling out the FAFSA

If you perform an action that is successful, the system will provide you with a GREEN box and a success message.

What is the Federal Definition of a Parent?

• If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months.

• If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months.

What is the Federal Definition of a Parent?

• If your parent has remarried, you must include information about the stepparent.

• If your parent is widowed or single, answer the questions about that parent.

• The following people are not your parents unless they have adopted you: grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, and uncles or aunts.

What if parent information is not available?

– Student has no contact with the parent(s) and does not know where they are (and the student has not been adopted by someone else); or

– Student has left home due to an abusive situation.

• Must gather third party documentation to verify your living situation: attorney, court officer, social worker

• Submit that third party documentation to the college that you will most likely attend.

If taxes have not been submitted:

Review your answers before submitting!

Frequent FAFSA Errors• Social Security Numbers• Divorced/remarried parental information• Income earned by parents/stepparents• Untaxed income• U.S. income taxes paid • Household size• Number of household members in college• Real estate and investment net worth

https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/

CSS/Financial Aid Profilehttps://profileonline.collegeboard.com/Not required by all schools$25 for the initial application and $16

for each additional collegeNon-Custodial Parent’s Form = $25Forms used to determine eligibility

for need-based institutional grants.

CSS Profile Tips• In addition to the assets reported on

the FAFSA, you will be required to report:– Value of your home, purchase price,

purchase date and current debt– Value of your retirement accounts (but

not for all schools).

  

Tuition & Fees $40,000Room & Board 8,000Books & Supplies 1,000 Parent Contribution $ 2,250Miscellaneous 500 Student Contribution $ 1,750Transportation 500 Family Contribution $ 4,000Total $50,000 Need $46,000

 Financial Aid Award (Cost less Resources)

 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,500Federal Supplemental Educational Opp. Grant $ 2,500Connecticut Independent College Grant $ 5,000Federal Perkins Loan $ 1,000Federal Stafford Loan $ 3,500Federal Work Study $ 1,400College Grant $30,100

 Total Award $46,000

Sample Financial Aid Award – Full Need Met

How Aid is Applied to the Bill

Tuition & Fees = $40,000 Room & Board = 8,000 Total Charges = $48,000

Less aid:

Grants $40,200 Loans $ 4,500Total Aid Applied to the Bill $44,700Balance Due $ 3,300Usually paid in two installments: $1,650 August 1 $1,650 January 1

Federal Work Study is not applied to the bill.

What if my family contribution seems unreasonable?

Compare aid awards from similar colleges. If the family contribution is significantly different:

• Ask how the contribution was determinedIs there a contribution expected from the

non-custodial parent? Were losses reported on the tax return added

back?What is the minimum student contribution?How were family members in college treated?Was home equity included in the analysis?

• Request procedures for an “Appeal” or “Review”

How do I pay the bill? Prepare monthly income/expense flow Put surplus monthly income to work for you with a

payment plan. Each college arranges with a third party provider to participate in one or more plans. Here are some samples:www.afford.comwww.tuitionpay.com

Use savings but keep enough to cover surprises! Investigate home equity loan, or other private parent

loans. Factors to consider: age, job market, other children to educate, income/debt ratio, credit rating

Federal PLUS Loan

Borrowers are parents of dependent undergraduate students

Annual loan limit: cost of attendance minus other aid

Fixed interest rate (Direct Loan) – 7.9%Loan fees - up to 4%Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is

fully disbursed.Can defer payments (interest will accrue)

while student is enrolled at least half-time.

Aid Award in Subsequent YearsLoan amounts increase as the student

advances to the next grade levelIf parent income/assets increase, the parent

contribution will most likely increase.If student assets decrease, the student

contribution will decreaseIf the number of dependents enrolled in

college changes, the parent contribution will change.

College institutional funding levels change from year to year

Questions to Ask

• What forms must be submitted and by what date?

• Does the school meet the student’s full demonstrated need?

• What was the average loan balance for the last graduating class?

• What happens to the aid offered if the student receives an outside scholarship?

• How does an aid award change over 4 years?

Thank you for your attention. What questions can I answer

for you?