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• Carolyn Lindley, Northwestern University
• Jerry Cebrzynski, Lake Forest College
FinancingFinancingAA
College EducationCollege Education
Top 10 Things to Know About Financial Aid for
College
College cost planningCollege cost planning
How a College can helpHow a College can help
What exactly is financial aidWhat exactly is financial aid
The financial aid The financial aid ““languagelanguage””
Application process in a Application process in a nutshellnutshell
How eligibility is determinedHow eligibility is determined
Other resourcesOther resources
Choosing a CollegeChoosing a CollegeBest FitBest Fit
► ProgramProgram
► LocationLocation
► SizeSize
► Mix of StudentsMix of Students
► AcademicsAcademics
► ExtracurricularExtracurricular
► FacilitiesFacilities
► Financial ConsiderationsFinancial Considerations
Recent Headlines
Current College Costs2010-2011
Average Tuition, Fees, Room, BoardAverage Tuition, Fees, Room, Board
• 4 Year Public: $16,0004 Year Public: $16,000
• 4 Year Private: $33,0004 Year Private: $33,000
Average personal expenses [clothing, Average personal expenses [clothing, laundry, toiletries, recreation, laundry, toiletries, recreation, entertainment] = $2,000entertainment] = $2,000
Books = $700 - $1,000 per yearBooks = $700 - $1,000 per year
Tuition and fees at private colleges Tuition and fees at private colleges and universities increased by 4.5% for and universities increased by 4.5% for 2010-11 2010-11 (the second smallest increase in 37 years). (the second smallest increase in 37 years).
Tuition and fees at public universities Tuition and fees at public universities increased by 7.9% for 2010-11 (6% at 2-increased by 7.9% for 2010-11 (6% at 2-year public colleges).year public colleges).
1. Cost of attendance (COA) should not be a mystery
Sticker PriceSticker Pricevs.vs.
After Financial Aid/Scholarship After Financial Aid/Scholarship PricePrice
►Direct costs = on tuition invoice Tuition, fees, housing, meal plan
► Indirect costs = related educational expenses Books, supplies, transportation, laundry, …
►COA should reflect direct and indirect expenses
Net Price Calculator Tool
Required by Fall 2011
►To the extent they are able, To the extent they are able, parentsparents have primary have primary responsibility to pay for their dependent children’s responsibility to pay for their dependent children’s educationeducation
►StudentsStudents also have a responsibility to contribute to their also have a responsibility to contribute to their educational costseducational costs
►Families should be evaluated in their Families should be evaluated in their appropriateappropriate financial conditionfinancial condition
►A family’s ability to pay for educational costs must be A family’s ability to pay for educational costs must be evaluated in an evaluated in an equitable and consistent mannerequitable and consistent manner, , recognizing that recognizing that special circumstancesspecial circumstances can and do can and do affect its ability to payaffect its ability to pay
2. 2. Financial Aid is “A Financial Aid is “A Partnership”Partnership”
► Is committed to removing financial barriersIs committed to removing financial barriers
► Is an advocate for the student at all levelsIs an advocate for the student at all levels
► Educates students and families through Educates students and families through quality consumer informationquality consumer information
► Provides services that do not discriminateProvides services that do not discriminate
► Maintains the highest level of Maintains the highest level of professionalismprofessionalism
The Financial Aid OfficeThe Financial Aid Office
3. 3. What is Financial What is Financial Aid?Aid?
► ScholarshipsScholarships
► GrantsGrants
► Student LoansStudent Loans
► Work-StudyWork-Study
U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of Education
StatesStates
Colleges and UniversitiesColleges and Universities
Private OrganizationsPrivate Organizations
Four major sources of Four major sources of funding:funding:
Categories of Financial Aid
►Merit-based
From College as well as from foundations, etc. Specific criteria eligibility Solely based on student’s credentials
Categories of Financial Aid
►Need-based
Calculated from FAFSA and other aid applications Sources can be federal, state, institutional Types include grants, student loans, work-study
4. Everyone should apply for aid
►Many types and sources of aid are available
►On the fence? 67% of all students receive aid [88% at 67% of all students receive aid [88% at
private collegesprivate colleges
Sometimes being rejected for federal aid Sometimes being rejected for federal aid is a prerequisite for receiving private is a prerequisite for receiving private awardsawards
Undergraduate Aid by Source, 2009-10Undergraduate Aid by Source, 2009-10
Source: The College Board, Trends in Student Aid 2009
So . . . how does the So . . . how does the process begin?process begin?
5. All aid applications are not the same
►Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Required by all schools; www.FAFSA.GOV
► Institutional Aid
Supplemental applications for more information
►Scholarships – specific to organization/school
The FAFSA collects basic financial data The FAFSA collects basic financial data is used to determine the student’s is used to determine the student’s
eligibility by calculating an “index” #eligibility by calculating an “index” #
To apply for all federal and To apply for all federal and state aid, families must state aid, families must
complete the...complete the...
Overview of the FAFSAOverview of the FAFSA
► 2011-2012 available in January2011-2012 available in January
► Submit it soon after January 1Submit it soon after January 1
► 7 steps7 steps
FAFSA on the Web FAFSA on the Web (FOTW)(FOTW)
English or SpanishEnglish or Spanish
Skip logic and online editingSkip logic and online editing
Electronic signatureElectronic signature
Electronic notificationElectronic notification
17 million (99%) FOTWs processed 10/11 17 million (99%) FOTWs processed 10/11 so farso far
FAFSA on the Web FAFSA on the Web WorksheetWorksheet
4-page booklet containing:4-page booklet containing:
► InstructionsInstructions
► 24 questions in 4 sections24 questions in 4 sections
Supplemental Financial Aid Supplemental Financial Aid ApplicationsApplications
► The College The College Scholarship Service Scholarship Service Financial Aid Financial Aid PROFILEPROFILE
► A College’s own A College’s own application for application for financial aidfinancial aid
6. Special Circumstances Matter
►When the numbers don’t tell the whole story
►When the situation is expected to change (or has)
►Must be able to document
► consideration will vary from school to consideration will vary from school to schoolschool
The Financial Aid Award The Financial Aid Award LetterLetter
(or “package” )(or “package” )
Will contain a combination ofWill contain a combination of• scholarship, grant, loan and work-study fundsscholarship, grant, loan and work-study funds
Why might “packages” be different?Why might “packages” be different?
• cost of attendance cost of attendance • scholarship criteria and availability scholarship criteria and availability • institutional philosophy and funding institutional philosophy and funding • federal funding levelsfederal funding levels
7. Decoding the Award Letter
Compare► COA
► Total amount of aid
► Types and sources
Ask questions► Is aid renewable?
► Terms for renewing?
► Will aid change from year to year?
► Will costs increase?
► Is more aid available if EFC decreases?
8. Appeals
►Can request change in aid if there is a valid reason
►Will it make a difference?
Is need already fully met? Is more aid available?
►Valid reasons
Special circumstances
9. 9. Deadlines are Deadlines are essentialessential
Deadlines
►Know each College’s priority deadlines Read and retain all communication you receive
►Contact school Merit scholarship deadlines
Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision deadlines
Deadlines for supplemental documents (tax returns, etc.)
TimelineTimeline► Complete FAFSA after January 1Complete FAFSA after January 1
► Receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) 72 hours Receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) 72 hours laterlater
► Review SAR for correctnessReview SAR for correctness
► Check if other additional application required or Check if other additional application required or are beneficialare beneficial
► Receive Financial Aid Award Letter before May 1Receive Financial Aid Award Letter before May 1
FAQs► Estimate figures on FAFSA; adjust later► Divorced, separated, single parents► Assets included
Savings, stocks, other real estate 529 Plans
► Assets not included Home equity Retirement accounts Insurance policies, annuities
► One FAFSA per student► Renewal of Aid
10. 10. Ask for Ask for
Right here at HPHS, DHSRight here at HPHS, DHS
A College’s Financial Aid OfficeA College’s Financial Aid Office
The InternetThe Internetwww.collegezone.comwww.collegezone.com
www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org
www.studentaid.ed.govwww.studentaid.ed.gov
College Web SitesCollege Web Sites
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