Download - Financial Aid 101 De-Mystifying the Process
John IacovelliDean of Enrollment Management
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Primary goal is to assist students in paying for college and is achieved by:
Evaluating family’s ability to pay for educational costs
Distributing limited resources in an equitable manner
Providing a balance of gift aid and self-help aid
Federal
State
The University/College
Private◦ Civic organizations (i.e., local Rotary Club,
parent’s employer, high school awards, etc.)
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Employment Opportunities
Merit-Based Aid - aid given to students strictly on the basis of merit. May be based on: ◦ Academic record◦ Special characteristics◦ Skills or talents◦ Involvement
Does not have to be repaid; may be renewable from year to year.
Need-Based Aid - aid awarded to students on the basis of financial need. Re-evaluated each year as financial situations may change.
Gift Aid◦ Grants
Self-help◦ Loans◦ Employment
Federal◦ PELL◦ SEOG
State◦ TAG◦ EOF
Institutional Private Grants and Scholarships
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Direct Loan Program◦ Subsidized Loan (3.86%) ◦ Unsubsidized Loan (3.86%) ◦ PLUS (6.41%)
Loan Limits: ◦ First-year students – $3,500◦ Second-year student – $4,500◦ All other grade levels remain at $5,500
All students eligible for additional $2000 of unsubsidized loan.
NJ Class Supplemental Loan Program
Low fixed interest rates beginning with:◦ 10 Year Repayment Loan of 5.49%
Immediate Repayment of Principal & Interest Only
◦ 15 Year Repayment Loan(s) of 6.65% Immediate Repayment of Principal & Interest Only Immediate Repayment of Interest Only, while in school
◦ 20 Year Repayment Loan of 8.05% Full deferment until out of school
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the college’s deadline
To ensure maximum consideration for federal, state, and institutional aid, check information from each college to determine:
◦ Required application materials
◦ Application deadlines
FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.gov
Collects family’s personal and financial information used to calculate the student’s EFC
1. Correct name, social security #, birth date
2. Number of people in the household3. Divorced/remarried households4. Taxes paid vs. taxes withheld5. Parental and student assets
a. Worth of a second homeb. “Zero is a number”
Please note: 2014-15 FAFSA expands definition for independent student (emancipated minor).
Cost of Attendance (COA)
– Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
= Financial Need
Basis of financial aid package
EFC is determined by a federal formula that calculates need via the FAFSA
EFC & Financial Need are guidelines used by schools to determine a financial aid package
EFC not necessarily equal to the out-of-pocket cost of the family
Tuition and fees Room and board Books and supplies, equipment,
transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses
Study abroad costs Dependent care expenses Expenses related to a disability Expenses for cooperative education program
X
Y
Z
Cost ofAttendance
(Variable)
Expected Family
Contribution(Constant)
Need(Variable)
1
2
3
EFC EFC
Jan-March
Student /Parents complete FAFSA
March-April
School sends award letter
June-July
School sends Fall semester bill
Avoid being charged a fee to file the FAFSA
◦ Completing and processing the FAFSA is FREE
◦ When filing FAFSA, make sure you go directly to:
www.fafsa.gov
◦ Contact the financial aid office if you need help in completing the FAFSA
HESAA Web Site www.hesaa.org HESAA Financial Aid Hotline
◦ 800-792-86708:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday thru Thursday8:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday
NJBEST – College Savings Plan
Federal Aid Website and Toll-free Numberwww.studentaid.gov/completefafsa1-800-433-3243
Services and Forms:
Fin Aid! “The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid”:
www.finaid.org
USDE Publications :
www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/index.html
FastWeb www.fastweb.com
FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.gov
U.S. Department of Education PIN: www.pin.ed.gov
“Practice” FAFSA: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 required all post-secondary schools that receive Title IV funding to disclose the actual net price a student would pay to attend an institution.
Provision was designed to increase awareness of the actual cost of college attendance.
Students, families, and consumers are able to view this information on individual institution websites.