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College Goal Sunday - Free Financial Aid Workshop |
Representatives from several different institutions will be on hand to help parents and students know how to get money for college at this FREE financial aid workshop.
Mark your calendar for Sunday afternoon, February 27th, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The nearest location for SHS students and parents is at Lubbock Christian University, Administration Building, Room 207.
To get the most out of your two hours, bring all 2010 tax information for both you and your parents (i.e. W2s, tax return, etc.)
If you need additional information, visit www.collegegoalsundaytexas.org or follow Facebook at www.facebook.com/CGSTexas. |
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College Solutions Financial Planning Workshop at SHS |
If you are a parent of a high school student who is planning to attend a four-year state or private university, you will want to attend this 1 hour FREE workshop. This workshop will focus on students in the 8th – 12th grade.
In this workshop, you will learn how to increase your tax deductions in addition to the Hope Scholarship and the Lifetime Learning Credit, how parent and student financial earnings will count against you when applying for financial aid, how to get ahead by developing a customized plan for all the college costs you will incur on a tax efficient basis, and what assets are taken into consideration when your EFC is calculated!
This workshop will be presented by James Smith, a College Funding Specialist. Flyers will be sent to every high school student. For more information, contact James Smith at 795-0745 or at james@collegesolutionstx.com
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SHS Financial Aid Night |
Shallowater High School, along with LEARN, Inc., will host a financial aid night at Shallowater High School on January 27th, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Sara Moreno, a representative with LEARN, Inc., will give a brief presentation explaining the financial aid process, types of financial aid, pitfalls to avoid, etc. At the end of the presentation, Sara, along with other LEARN representatives, will be available to assist parents with specific questions about completing the FAFSA.
The FAFSA must be completed before a student is eligible to receive any type of financial aid from a college or university, and is is also a requirement for the Margaret Johnson Wallace scholarship that is available to a SHS student that is planning to attend Texas Tech.
This will be an informative and helpful night as parents navigate the financial aid process. Mark your calendar and plan to attend Thursday evening, January 27th. |
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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) |
To receive student aid, students must complete the FAFSA. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after January 1. There are three ways that a student can complete the FAFSA:
1. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. Download and complete a PDF version of the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov (Note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing).
3. Request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-319-337-5665.
FAFSA: Why You Need it, How to Start
The FAFSA is extremely important. It opens the door to $80 billion in federal money, plus financial aid from states and colleges. If you want help paying for college, it's vital. You can't afford to ignore this form.
Here's what you need to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Most financial aid, of any type, requires FAFSA. You need to complete this form to be eligible for most forms of financial aid. Many colleges and states use a student's FAFSA information to award their own grants and scholarships. In fact, many schools require the FAFSA as part of their scholarship application. Specifically, FAFSA opens the door to:
Need aid, such as government funded Pell grants, which you don't have to repay and are awarded for financial need
Merit aid, like grants and scholarships, which you don't have to repay and are awarded by colleges for student accomplishments
State sponsored financial aid
Student loans, which you must repay
Federal work study programs
Start the application as early as possible in January.
You can submit your FAFSA starting Jan. 1 of your senior year. Cappex recommends gathering all the information you will need for FAFSA during the fall. The application is eight pages long and requires you to reference a host of forms and information - including driver's license, your family's tax returns, bank statements and Social Security numbers - that take time to gather.
Why start so early? FAFSA takes time, and you'll want to complete your FAFSA at the beginning of the year - some states have deadlines as early as February 15. Many colleges and states have their own deadlines for receiving FAFSA that relates to their financial aid programs - they may need your FAFSA by March 1.
You don't have to do all the work at once. FAFSA allows you to save your work for up to 45 days.
How to file. The best way to file FAFSA is online. Start with the "FAFSA on the Web" form which clearly outlines everything you need to file. Completing this worksheet will save you time once you start the actual FAFSA.
Once you enter all of your information, double-check your work and print out a copy to keep for your records. After your FAFSA is filed, you can log on and check the status at any time.
For more information, to apply, and to download all FAFSA forms necessary, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Home About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use College Scholarships Resources College Search College Roster © 2009, Cappex.com, LLC
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PIN Numbers |
I have found out that students and parents will need a PIN number. Go online to www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp to apply for your and your childs/parents PIN numbers today! You will need these PIN numbers before you start the financial aid process. |
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TFAIC Hotline |
Texas Financial Aid Information Center
(888) 311-8881 toll-free
The Texas Financial Aid Information Center offers a one-stop shop for answers to questions about college opportunities. Families and students can receive information about all state and federal financial aid programs and general college admission.
The Center is a collaborative effort of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and TG.
Contact the Texas Financial Aid Information Center toll-tree at (888) 311-8881.
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Tuition Assistance Guarantees |
West Texas A&M BUFF Promise
WTA&M will commit 100% of its available resources to cover fall and spring in-state tuition and fees for entering undergraduate Texas residents who have an annual family income of $40,000 or less. BUFF Promise eligibility date is April 15, 2009, for students planning to enter the University in Fall 2009. To find out more, visit www.wtamu.edu/buffpromise.
Texas State Bobcat Promise
Texas State University - San Marcos - has a new tuition assistance program. Through the Bobcat Promise first-time freshmen with reported adjusted gross family income of $25,000 or less can receive up to the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees each fall and spring semester for up to eight continuous long semesters. That is an award of more than $7,000 per year!
For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 512-245-2340 or email admissions@txstate.edu.
Red Raider Guarantee
Texas residents who are accepted and complete financial aid application by May 1 may qualify if the family earns less than $40,000 a year.
Aggie Assurance Program
Texas A&M University guarantees that the tuition will be covered by grants and scholarships for accepted students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year.
Texas A&M Regents Scholarship for First-Generation Students
$20,000 ($5,000 per year for four years) with a family income of $40,000 or less and neither biological or step parent has a bachelor’s degree. FAFSA must be completed and reviewed by May 1st.
University of Texas Permian Basin
UTPB has a program called the UT Promise which covers tuition and fees (room and board not included) for any students whose family gross income is less than $60,000. For more information, go to ss.utpb.edu/admissions/scholarships
Texas State University
Texas State University - San Marcos - has a new tuition assistance program. Through the Bobcat Promise first-time freshmen with reported adjusted gross family income of $25,000 or less can receive up to the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees each fall and spring semester for up to eight continuous long semesters. That is an award of more than $7,000 per year! For more information, call 512-245-2340 or e-mail admissions@txstate.edu
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Great Resource |
Visit SimpleTuition's Resource Center, a fast and free resource on college funding, financial aid and student loans. Find 100+ articles on paying for college. Learn from TuitionTales - a discussion forum for parents by parents of college students with tips and lessons learned about paying for college.
Go to www.SimpleTuition.com/resource |
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TuitionCoach |
You can pay for college. You just need the right game plan. TuitionCoach guides you step-by-step through the financial aid process to help you get the most aid possible!
Get your own TuitionCoach personal advisor and get one-on-one expert advice.
Learn more at TuitionCoach.com with Free Financial Aid Webinars. |
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Websites to Help |
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Financial Aid Made Easy |
What is financial aid?
Financial aid consists of grants, loans, employment opportunities, and scholarships to help students finance college and other forms of postsecondary education. Financial aid resources are intended to supplement, not replace, the financial resources of the family.
There are two categories of financial aid:
Need-based aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial eligibility and constitutes the majority of assistance available for postsecondary educations. There are three types of aid:
• Grants – free money that generally do not have to be repaid
• Work-study – funds that must be earned.
• Loans – must be repaid.
Need-based aid is obtained from four sources: federal, state, institutional and private sources.
Merit-based aid is generally given to students in recognition of special skills, talents, and/or academic accomplishments. This aid is composed of scholarships. Eligibility for scholarships is determined by the donor and therefore, varies widely. Scholarships are obtained from two sources: postsecondary institutions and private sources.
General eligibility criteria:
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in a degree or certificate program or other academic program ;
• Not be simultaneously enrolled in an elementary or secondary school while enrolled in postsecondary school;
• Provide a valid Social Security number;
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED)
• Be a U. S. citizen, national permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
• Be registered with the Selective Service, if required;
• Demonstrate need
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential;
• Not be in default on any federal Title IV program;
• Not have had federal benefits suspended due to a drug offense conviction
Applying for Financial Aid
All students applying for federal assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no charge to apply for federal student financial assistance. Many states also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state aid. Many schools also use the FAFSA to award their own financial aid.
The FAFSA asks for:
• The student’s and his or her parents’ financial information, including annual income, taxes paid, untaxed income, current assets, and so on.
• Demographic information, including family size, number of students in college, and the student’s enrollment status.
The information provided in the FAFSA is used to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• The EFC is what the family is expected to contribute to the student’s educational costs for a given year.
FAFSA types:
Electronic FAFSA (FAFSA on the Web)
The majority of students now use the Department of Education’s FAFSA on the Web ( www.fafsa.ed.gov) to apply for federal financial aid.
Other online resources located on the FAFSA website:
Check status of a submitted FAFSA
Make corrections
Print Student Aid Report (SAR)
State deadlines
Find a school code (federal school code search)
Paper FAFSA
We have copies of the paper application in the Go Center. There is also an envelope with the Department of Education’s pre-printed address.
FAFSA PIN
The student AND his or her parent sign the FAFSA on the Web using either an electronic signature (Personal Identification Number, or PIN) or signing and mailing a paper signature page. It is recommended that students and parents get their PINs before completing the FAFSA on the Web. (Without the PIN, the student and parent must print, sign, and mail a signature page.)
The PIN can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov.
The FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) is easy to use. There is no software to download or install. Built-in edits help applicants detect and correct errors before submitting the application, which cuts down on applications being rejected due to incorrect or missing information. It also has skip logic which allows students to answer only those questions that apply to them, and skip those questions that do not apply to them.
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Help for Juniors! |
Authors: Jennifer Douglas, General Manager, Student Aid Awareness and Applicant Services, Federal Student Aid
William Leith, Acting General Manager, Application, Operations and Delivery Services, Federal Student Aid
Summary: A New Financial Aid Estimator – FAFSA4caster
The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid is pleased to announce the release of FAFSA4caster, a new Web tool designed to assist high school juniors and their families plan for education beyond high school. Students can receive an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by entering their information into FAFSA4caster, a simplified version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA4caster also provides guidance on next steps for applying for admission, applying for federal student aid, and paying for education beyond high school.
Background
In September 2005, the Secretary of Education formed the bipartisan Commission on the Future of Higher Education to launch a national dialogue on the vital issues of accessibility, affordability, and accountability in higher education. One of the needs identified in the Commission’s final report was to notify students of their federal student aid eligibility earlier in order to help families plan better. We have developed FAFSA4caster to address this need.
FAFSA4caster Benefits
FAFSA4caster is a companion piece to the official FAFSA on the Web. The free FAFSA4caster tool will assist high school juniors and their families in the following ways:
Instantly calculate an estimated EFC
Inform the student of potential Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) eligibility
Reduce the time needed to complete the FAFSA when the student applies as a senior
FAFSA4caster Access
Students and families interested in assessing their eligibility for federal student aid can access FAFSA4caster by visiting www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. The links for FAFSA4caster are located in the lower right corner of the home page.
Spanish FAFSA4caster
Students will be able to access a Spanish version of FAFSA4caster on April 29, 2007.
Contact Information
We look forward to better serving students and families through this new Web product. If you have any questions about FAFSA4caster, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
To unsubscribe click here, in the Subject area type "Unsubscribe".
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FAFSA |
FAFSA: Why You Need it, How to Start
The FAFSA is extremely important. It opens the door to $80 billion in federal money, plus financial aid from states and colleges. If you want help paying for college, it's vital. You can't afford to ignore this form.
Here's what you need to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Most financial aid, of any type, requires FAFSA. You need to complete this form to be eligible for most forms of financial aid. Many colleges and states use a student's FAFSA information to award their own grants and scholarships. In fact, many schools require the FAFSA as part of their scholarship application. Specifically, FAFSA opens the door to:
Need aid, such as government funded Pell grants, which you don't have to repay and are awarded for financial need
Merit aid, like grants and scholarships, which you don't have to repay and are awarded by colleges for student accomplishments
State sponsored financial aid
Student loans, which you must repay
Federal work study programs
Start the application as early as possible in January.
You can submit your FAFSA starting Jan. 1 of your senior year. Cappex recommends gathering all the information you will need for FAFSA during the fall. The application is eight pages long and requires you to reference a host of forms and information - including driver's license, your family's tax returns, bank statements and Social Security numbers - that take time to gather.
Why start so early? FAFSA takes time, and you'll want to complete your FAFSA at the beginning of the year - some states have deadlines as early as February 15. Many colleges and states have their own deadlines for receiving FAFSA that relates to their financial aid programs - they may need your FAFSA by March 1.
You don't have to do all the work at once. FAFSA allows you to save your work for up to 45 days.
How to file. The best way to file FAFSA is online. Start with the "FAFSA on the Web" form which clearly outlines everything you need to file. Completing this worksheet will save you time once you start the actual FAFSA.
Once you enter all of your information, double-check your work and print out a copy to keep for your records. After your FAFSA is filed, you can log on and check the status at any time.
For more information, to apply, and to download all FAFSA forms necessary, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Home About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use College Scholarships Resources College Search College Roster © 2009, Cappex.com, LLC
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