Financial Aid Night Presented by Valerie Knopp St. Cloud State University

1. Financial Aid Night Presented by Valerie Knopp St. Cloud State University

2. Dear Dad… $chool i$ really gr8. I am making lot$ of friend$ & $tudying very hard. W/all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if u would like, u can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from u. <3 ur $on $ent from my iPhone

3. Dear Son… I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task and you can never study eNOugh. Love, Dad Sent by e-mail

4. Myths to Qualify for Financial Aid • We make too much money to qualify • We have too many assets to qualify • It’s not worth completing the application (FAFSA)

5. What we’ll cover… Application Process Definition of “Need” Aid Types and Sources Need Analysis Formula(optional)

6. Application Process

7. Who is eligible? • U.S. citizen or permanent resident • High school graduate/GED holder/Home school Certificate • Eligible degree/certificate program • Valid Social Security number • Registered with Selective Service (males 18 years old) • No conviction for drug offense while receiving federal aid • Satisfactory academic progress

8. How to Apply • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Online at www.fafsa.gov– fastest, most efficient • As soon as possible after January 1st – earlier the better • Watch out! Only use the “.gov” site – anything else and you will be charged and your results may be delayed • Check the schools’ deadlines • Paper FAFSA • Download from www.fafsa.gov- select “FAFSA Filing Options” • Order by phone - 1-800-4-FED-AID • School Form or CSS Profile (if applicable)

9. Government Philosophy on Financial Aid • Three partners who share responsibility for educational costs: students, parents, and taxpayers(government). • Parent and student responsibility to pay for college expenses to the extent that they are able before federal or state funds are used. • FAFSA– determines an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) to make a consistent evaluationof each family’s financial circumstance.

10. FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.gov • Apply/Reapply • Apply for PIN • Filing Deadlines • IRS Data Tool (DRT) available late February 2013 • Find college codes • Check status of FAFSA • Make corrections • Print SAR • FAFSA4caster

11. Filing Deadlines • See state“Deadlines” at www.fafsa.gov • Minnesota State Grant deadline is 30th day of the start of the term • Check with the schools - college deadlines vary and may be early. Check with the individual college

12. Personal Identification Number (PIN) www.pin.ed.gov • Apply for a PIN or have PIN and forgot it? • When completing the FAFSA (real time), or at the PIN website Forgot your PIN? “Request a Duplicate PIN” at PIN website • Student and at least one parent need a PIN • Use your PIN to: • IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to complete the FAFSA • Sign your FAFSA electronically • Check the status of your FAFSA or Make corrections to your FAFSA • Sign Master Promissory Note (MPN) for federal loans (student and PLUS) • Look up student’s loan and grant history (www.nslds.ed.gov)

13. FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.gov NOTE: After 1/1/13 the two options will be 2012-13 and 2013-14 • Main page once logged in • Renewal or New FAFSA • Remember to select the correct award year • PIN status

14. Step 1: Beginning a FAFSA

15. Step 2: Filling out the FAFSA

16. High School (high school grads only)

17. School Codes (up to 10) • Finding School Codes: • FAFSA on the Web search • “Paying for College” booklet (Minnesota schools only) • School’s website

18. Dependency Questions If student answers “NO”to all questions, parent information must be included on the FAFSA.

19. Special Circumstances (dependent students only)

20. Who is a “Parent” for the FAFSA? • Biological, adoptive, or step-parent • Grandparent, foster parent, other relative or legal guardian (who are not the parent) are NOT considered parents unless they legally adopted the student.

21. Entering Parental Data

22. IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) Who can use it? Dependent and independent students (parents of dependent students) who meet ALL criteria: • Valid SSN • Filed a 2012 IRS tax return, AND • Unchanged marital status since December 31, 2012. • Available approx. late February 2013 • Displays if student (or parent, for dependents) selects tax filing status of “Already completed”

23. Application Statistics* • Average completion time for NEW FAFSAs filed • January 1, 2012 - September 30, 2012

24. What if I filed without using IRS DRT?

25. Check tax filing status “Already completed” • If “Married Filing Separately” applicant is ineligible to use IRS DRT IRS DRT (cont.) NOTE: If you recently filed taxes, you won’t see IRS DRT. 2-3 weeks after you file electronically, correct the FAFSA, change this to “None of the Above”, and then use IRS DRT

26. IRS DRT (cont.)IRS Interface Insert all information exactly as it appears on your federal tax return (e.g. St. for Street or Street for St.)

27. Transfer IRS data to FAFSA • REMEMBER • Select the box and the “Transfer Now” button. • Include “earnings from work” on the FAFSA after data transfer

28. What if I don’t use the IRS DRT? If you’re selected for verification and did not use the IRS DRT, you must provide a Tax Return Transcript issued by the IRS. NOTE: A Tax Account Transcript does not provide sufficient information.

29. FAFSA savedup to 45 days

30. Entering Income Information (student view – same for parent) If entering estimated income information, click here. REMEMBER: Update your information once you complete your federal income tax return.

31. Sign and Submit the FAFSA Both student and parent must sign. “Save”: You store the data to retrieve later (up to 45 days). “Submit”: Your FAFSA will be processed.

32. Confirmation Page Transfer sameparent info for a (dependent) sibling need? Click the link on the confirmation page to forward parent info from your FAFSA to your sibling’s. Estimate based on data entered. School will determine eligibility.

33. NEW for 2013-2014: MN On-Line Student Eligibility Questionnaire Student must click on MN link on Confirmation page to be redirected to OHE on-line questionnaire First optional feature only appears for dependent students

34. Step 3: FAFSA Follow-up • Make Corrections to a Saved FAFSA • Check status of a submitted FAFSA • Print Signature Page (if not signed electronically)

35. Application Status Check 1. Processed, not submitted 2. Processed, missing signatures (rejected to school)

36. Corrections on the Web REMEMBER: Save your correction(s) before submitting.

37. Completed FAFSA……now what happens? • Department of Education: your estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Student: receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) by e-mail or mail • Financial Aid Office: receives electronic copy of your FAFSA results • If selected for verification, the school(s) listed on your FAFSA will contact you

38. Verification(not an audit) • Some applications may be selected for verification by the Central Processing Service or the school • School will send student/family: Verification worksheet to complete, sign and return • School will request: Federal income tax transcript (not the return) and W-2 forms for student and parent, if applicable (www.irs.gov for transcript) • If selected for verification, please do not make corrections to your FAFSA unless the school requests it

39. The Financial Aid Office • Determines student’s eligibility based on FAFSA results (and verification, if required) • Packages and offers financial aid to students • based on eligibility • in attempt to meet financial need • Sends an award letter detailing: • Cost of attendance • Types and amount of financial aid • Conditions of the award • Disbursement procedure NOTE:Students must be admitted to (not enrolled at) the college before they can receive an award letter.

40. Eligibility for Financial Aid • All students and families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA for need and non-need based aid. • Submit the FAFSA by filing deadline (no later than the 30th day after the start of the term if Minnesota state grant-eligible). • Admitted to the school and enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) to receive most types of aid. • Make satisfactory academic progress (GPA, credits completed v. attempted, maximum time frame) to receive aid.

41. Review of Application Steps • PIN - student and at least one parent • File federal income tax returns • Complete FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov • Review Student Aid Report (SAR) • Complete verification request from school (if applicable) Apply for financial aid each year Check priority dates and deadlines Do not share your federal PIN

42. Definition of Financial Need Cost of Attendance (variable) -Expected Family Contribution (EFC)(constant) Eligibility for need-based aid (variable) Factors used in determining EFC: • Parent(s) income (taxed & untaxed) and assets • Student income (taxed & untaxed) and assets • Household size • Number in college

43. TRAVEL ROOM/BOARD PERSONAL TUITION/FEES BOOKS Cost of Attendance Each school’s will vary; all will include:

44. Need Varies Based on Cost NOTE: Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) remains the same.

45. Estimators • Minnesota Office of Higher Education www.getreadyforcollege.org/Estimator/firstQuestions.cfm • Fafsa4caster www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov • Finaid.org www.finaid.org/calculators

46. Types of Financial Aid • Gift Aid • Scholarships • Grants • Self Help • Employment • Loans

47. Gift Aid: Scholarships Merit-based aid • Local or Private – visit with your school counselor • College/University where you apply • Scholarship search services • Watch out for scams www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/scholarship/index.shtml

48. Beware of Scholarship Scams • "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.“ • "You can't get this information anywhere else.“ • "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.“ • "We'll do all the work.“ • "The scholarship will cost some money.“ • "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship." • "You're a finalist.“… in a contest you never entered • Scholarship Scam Information: • Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams

49. Gift Aid: Grants Need-based gift aid* • Federal Pell Grant • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) • Federal TEACH Grant* (not based on need; agreement to serve requirement) • Minnesota State Grant • Other

50. Self-Help Aid: Employment Earnings paid as hours are worked • Federal Work-Study • Minnesota Work-Study • College Employment