financial aid and college access: tips and tools for a successful transition marcia weston, director...
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Financial Aid and College Access: Tips and Tools for a Successful Transition
Marcia Weston, Director of College Goal Sunday Operations
YMCA of the USA
Premise of Financial AidFamilies are expected to contribute to
higher education costs to the extent to which they are able.
Message: You MUST continue your education beyond high school to assure a greater quality of life; you MUST pay for it.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)Federal aidState aidSome institutional aid
Types of AidFederal Government
Pell, SEOG, TEACH, Academic Competitive Grant; SMART
Loans – both government and privateState Government
State Grant Program – some are need based, some are merit
Institutional AidFunds that colleges use to assist students
ScholarshipsCommunity Groups, churches, businessesLeTendre Scholarship
RESOURCES FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONHelpful Websites to Bookmark…Helpful Websites to Bookmark…
U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid WebsiteAid Website
Available in English at Available in English at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/ehttp://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp nglish/index.jsp
Available in Spanish at Available in Spanish at http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.htmhttp://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=gu l?src=gu
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Available in English at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Available in English at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Available in Spanish at Available in Spanish at
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/es_ES/index.htm http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/es_ES/index.htm
OTHER FINANCIAL AID RESOURCESFinancial aid office at the college/universityState’s Higher Education ServicesCollege Access Organizations
TRIO, GEAR UP, State Guaranty AgenciesCollege Goal Sunday
Volunteer-run program to assist students and families, free of charge in the completion of the FAFSA
39 states in 2010www.collegegoalsundayusa.org “Decide Where You’ll Get Help”
FAFSACannot be filed before January 1st of the year in which the student wishes to enrollNeed taxes filed from previous year, driver’s license, social security number, and documentation of U.S. permanent residency or other eligible non citizen.Requires income and asset information for both the student and the parent…
UNLESS
HOMELESS STUDENTS AND THE FAFSA
Youth who meet the definition of “independent student” can apply for federal aid without parental income information or signature.
Unaccompanied youth are automatically considered independent students.Must be verified as unaccompanied and homeless
during the school year when application is submitted.
Youth who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting are also automatically considered independent studentsMust be verified as such during the school year in
which the application is submitted.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT
Allows the financial aid administrator to make “overrides” for the student whose situation does not meet the requirements of the FAFSA due to personal circumstances.
Most professional judgment decisions have to do with independent status of the student.Questions 46 – 58 will determine if the student
may be determined to be independent.Independent status does not take into
consideration income and assets of the parent/s or guardian.
2010-2011 FAFSA - DRAFTVerification must be made by:
a McKinney-Vento Act school district liaisona HUD homeless assistance program director or their
designeea Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program director or
their designeea financial aid administrator.
Youth in foster care and those who aged out of foster care are also automatically considered independent students.
Youth who have been in foster care at any time after age 13 will automatically be considered independent students as of July 1, 2010.
Sample verification template at www.naehcy.org
Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and Homeless Students
TRIO programs must “identify and make available services..including mentoring, tutoring, and other services provided…” to:Youth in foster careYouth who left foster care after age 13Homeless children and youth
All three groups are automatically eligible to participate in Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Educational Opportunity Centers.
HEOA and HOMELESS STUDENTS
Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and Educational Opportunity Centers funds may be used to provide programs and activities specially designed for: Homeless children and youthFoster youthEnglish language learnersStudents with disabilitiesOther disconnected students
HEOA of 2008, Cont’dGEAR UP
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
Federally funded college access programSchool based – School must meet eligibility
guidelines of 50% free and reduced lunchTwo programs: State-based (one per state);
Partnership (usually a school with community partnerships)
Begins in middle school and follows students into college and through degree attainment
Must identify and serve homeless and unaccompanied youth
2010-2011 FAFSA - Draft
Questions 55, 56, and 57 refer to foster youth, emancipated youth, and guardianship.
Questions 58, 59, and 60 specifically refer to homeless and unaccompanied youth.
FAFSA simplification may change wording, however, will intend to make it easier for homeless and unaccompanied youth to access financial aid.
GAPS in POLICY and SERVICES
Lack of training for financial aid administrators and college access providers on homeless/unaccompanied youth issues.
Homeless students who have not self-identified.Inappropriate questioning of homeless students by
financial aid administrators, i.e. providing police reports of abuse.
Gaps in leadership that address treatment of homeless/unaccompanied youth issues on the FAFSA.
Gaps in regulations that address treatment of homeless/unaccompanied youth issues with regard to financial aid.
Lack of connections for homeless youth.Lack of collaborative efforts in college access
programs.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
Federal LevelClose gaps on FAFSA Instructions
Homeless students must have “determination”Lack of reference to “self-supporting “and “at risk of
being homeless” in all questionsChange definition of “youth” to 24 instead of 21 to be
consistent with independent status
Financial Aid CommunityGain understanding of homeless and
unaccompanied youthRefrain from asking for “personal” situationsKnow the law!Encourage them to become advocates for
homeless students
WORKING WITH HOMELESS STUDENTS IN COLLEGE
PREPARATIONMapping Your Future –
www.mappingyourfuture.orgWeb-based free and interactive servicesMiddle school through college graduationCareer Ship – Career exploration programShow Me The Future – Life and financial
literacy skillsMake High School Count – Preparation for
education beyond high schoolGuide to Life After High School – Appropriate
academic choices in high schoolTraining through Webinars upon request
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOWBecome familiar with the college access
process and financial aidEducate high school counselors and school staffKeep a list of resources such as financial aid
administrators, College Goal Sunday coordinators, and college access programs in the state
Check on TRIO and GEAR UP programs in your school
Ask for help from NAEHCY and NCHE when students are denied aid
Begin early with college access preparation on Mapping Your Future site
DEVELOPMENT OF STATE NETWORKS
Colorado has an active statewide network to assist homeless students and liaisons in obtaining needed resources
Arkansas, North Carolina, and Washington have expressed interest in forming state networks
Train financial aid administrators on homelessness
Train homeless liaisons on financial aid and college access
Identify and address gaps in policy and practicesConnect each state’s higher education resources
to offer support and access
COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAYBuild and strengthen networks throughout the
year among financial aid administrators, admissions counselors, and college access providers
Web site provides a section, “Contact Us” to ask questions and find resources to assist homeless students
Assist state CGS programs to target homeless and unaccompanied youth in outreach
Provide financial aid expertise for homeless and unaccompanied youth at CGS sites
What do you need?What would you like to
know?What would be helpful?
QUESTIONS