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Navigator Week 17:Your FAFSA and State Aid Applications

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Welcome to Week 17!Important Dates and Deadlines:• Date #1• Date #2

Last Week, We:Defined “financial aid” and discussed the different typesCreated a personalized financial aid action planSigned up for a FAFSA pin (page 188)

This Week We Will:Discuss the history of financial aid in the USExplore the process of getting federal financial aidDeconstruct and demystify the FAFSA formFill out the FAFSATrack our FAFSA actions on CSNav (milestone)

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Think It Through:

Is education a right for everyone, or a privilege for a few?

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STEP 1: Discuss the history and purpose of federal financial aid.

History of Financial Aid in the US1643: The first scholarship was awarded to a worthy student at Harvard University.

1862: Abraham Lincoln signs the Land Grant Act, making affordable state schools a reality for students all across America.

1944: The GI Bill is passed, making postsecondary education free for veterans of the Armed Forces.

1954: The College Scholarship Service (CSS) standardizes the formula used to determine “need.”

1958: Congress passed the “National Defense Education Act,” making financial aid for low-income students a topCold War priority.

1964: The Economic Opportunity Act creates the first Work-study Program.

1965: The Higher Education Act creates the Federal financial aid program, giving millions of dollars in loans, grants and scholarships to young people all over America. Over the next 40 years, laws pass expanding the Federal financial aid program so that all students regardless of socio-economic background, race, or citizenship status can find funding for their postsecondary plans in the US.

2008: President-elect Barack Obama states that higher education is a right for all Americans regardless of socioeconomic background.

2010: Major changes in federal financial aid programs are passed that impact students: simplification of the FAFSA and changes to the federal loan programs.

Source: History of Financial Aid Center for Higher Education and Support Services

<http://www.chessconsulting.org/financialaid/history.htm>

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STEP 1: Discuss the history and purpose of federal financial aid.

When you fill out FAFSA, you qualify for…

Perkins Loans

Stafford Loans

Pell Grants

Plus Loans

Federal Work-Study

…plus more free money from your state and colleges!

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STEP 2: Define FAFSA and list the steps for getting federal financial aid

FAFSA• The free application for federal student aid.

• FREE.

• Available online.

• You need a PIN. So do your parents or guardians.

• Quick.

• Did we mention it’s FREE?

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Five Steps Free Money

Step 1: Register for a PIN online (see Navigator page 188 for directions)

Step 2: Fill out the FAFSA form

Step 3: Submit your FAFSA, sign it electronically, and wait!

Step 4: Review your SAR and EFC

Step 5: Accept your SAR or appeal your SAR

STEP 2: Define FAFSA and list the steps for getting federal financial aid

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EFC• Estimated Family Contribution• Determined from your FAFSA• Used to create your SAR• Based on: Net and gross income, # of dependents and

other tax information• Estimate yours using CSNav’s EFC Calculator

SAR• Student Aid Report• Determined from your EFC• Used by colleges to create financial aid packages for

you

STEP 2: Define FAFSA and list the steps for getting federal financial aid

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Who qualifies?• All US citizens who plan to attend an accredited 2- or 4-

year college in the next year

What if you don’t qualify?• [TEACHERS insert instructions here for undocumented

students, such as:]• See me privately after class• See the guidance counselor privately to discuss your

options…YOU DO HAVE OPTIONS!

STEP 2: Define FAFSA and list the steps for getting federal financial aid

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STEP 3: Identify the main components of the FAFSA application

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STEP 3: Identify the main components of the FAFSA application

Questions you will be asked:• Who are you?• Are you a dependent of someone

else, or are you independent?• How much money did you make

last year?• Men: Did you register for

Selective Service?• Everyone: Have you ever been

convicted of a federal offense?

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STEP 3: Identify the main components of the FAFSA application

Questions they will be asked:• Who are you?• How much money did you make

last year?• What tax deductions do you

claim each year?• Do you own property?

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STEP 3: Identify the main components of the FAFSA application

Questions you will be asked:• Where are you applying?• What year will you be in

(freshman, sophomore, etc)?

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STEP 4: Complete the FAFSA student and parent sections online or on paper and log the date you submitted it on CSNav.

When you think you’re ready to submit FAFSA:

1) Find a peer or an adult you trust

2) Ask your partner to review

3) Receive feedback from your partner

4) Make the changes suggested

5) Do a “Final Review” yourself

6) Submit!

7) Track your actions on CSNav

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STEP 5: Fill out your state financial aid forms (if applicable)

[teacher insert facts about your state’s financial aid process here. Use Navigator page 199 or the “Regional Maps” at the back for guidance]

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Week 17 SummaryThis Week We: Discussed the history of financial aid in the US Explored the process of getting federal financial aid Deconstructed and demystified the FAFSA form Filled out the FAFSA Tracked our FAFSA actions on CSNav (milestone)

***REMINDERS1. Free money is “first come, first served.” Fill out FAFSA no later than

February 15th to maximize your award!2. Watch your mailbox and email box for information from the US Department

of Education. Your EFC and SAR should come soon! 3. See Week 19 for information on how to interpret, accept, or reject your

SAR.

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CSNav How-to:

FAFSA Milestone

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Today, we’ll track your

progress on your financial

aid applications.

Click on Your Portfolio to

begin.

Your Portfolio

> College

Planning

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All of your work on CSNav is

saved in Your Portfolio.

Click on Financial Planning Portfolio.

Click here, or here.

Your Portfolio > College Planning Portfolio

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FAFSA is the first box at the

top.

Use the drop down boxes to select the date you submitted your FAFSA.

Your Portfolio > College Planning Portfolio

Be sure to click “save” to earn

your check mark!

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You should see your FAFSA submission

status updated with the date.

Your Portfolio > College Planning Portfolio

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Use the drop-down menu that

appears to choose the name of a school from

your College List.

Postsecondary Plans > College

Applications and Recruiting

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To see your checkmark, go

back to “Home” by clicking on the icon on the top of the page.

Then, click “Your Planning

Milestones” to see your

checkmarks.

Your Planning Milestones