Financial Aid Night Barron Collier High School

December 1, 2015

Barbara Peterson, Asst. Director, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, FGCU

                FAFSA/University Scholarships and Aid 

Sue Zumstein, Program Manager, Quest Educational Foundation

                CSS Profile/Private School Financing 

Sharon Bayata, Grants & Scholarships, Community Foundation of Collier County

                Community Foundation Scholarships/Being Competitive for Local Scholarships

 Terry Kalten, Counselor & Scholarship Coordinator, BCHS

                Bright Futures/Barron Collier Scholarships

Financial Aid 101Compliments of

Florida Gulf Coast University

How Do You Choose a School that is Best for You?

• Campus visits and internet research• Size of classrooms and degrees offered• Opportunities for student involvement• Tuition, housing & meal charges• Availability of merit and need-based help

How Do You Proceed After Narrowing the Field?• Apply for Admissions • Complete the Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)– collects income and asset information– results sent to the Financial Aid Office

• Research all institutional deadlines

Which Offices Offer Assistance?

• Academic and Merit Scholarships:– Office of Admissions (FGCU priority Nov. 15th)

• Merit and Need-based Scholarships: – Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships – Foundation Scholarships (FGCU currently accepts

applications between November 15th & March 1st)• Need-based Assistance:

– Office of Outreach– Student Support Services

Why Should YouComplete the FAFSA?

• Grants - Federal, State and Institutional• Work-study - job with paycheck & experience• Loans - for students and parents• Scholarships - many require a FAFSA

* Priority Deadlines Vary by School *

How Do You Complete the FAFSA?

• Complete a FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov:– Jan. 1, 2016 for 16/17 (prior year’s tax return)– Oct. 1, 2016 for 17/18 (prior/prior year’s tax return)

• Sign with an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov:– must be signed by both student and parent

When Should You Complete the FAFSA?

• By the Priority Deadline:

– check each school you are interested in attending – FGCU’s priority deadline is March 1st for 16/17

• Limited funding:– meet deadlines in order to maximize your potential

financial aid

What Happens Next?• FAFSA (results sent to schools):

– may list up to 10 schools– always include local schools in case plans change

• Requirements (additional documents may be needed):– submit all requirements as quickly as possible– monitor student account and emails frequently

• Award Letters (some schools offer estimates):– typically on available once all requirements are satisfied– accept and decline offer once final decision is made

Financial Aid Summary!

• Monitor - Student Account and Emails • Submit - all required documents timely• Adhere to all deadlines - to maximize your potential aid

How Much Does Florida Bright Futures Pay?

• Florida Gold Seal - for AS degrees• Florida Medallion - $77 per credit hour and

maintain a minimum 2.75 gpa • Florida Academic - $103 per credit hour

and and maintain a minimum 3.0 gpa

Students must indicate school choice at FLDOE - dropped classes must be repaid -

What Does it Cost to Attend FGCU?

• I/S Tuition & Fees: $3,060 x 2 = $ 6,120• On-Campus Hsg: $3,160 x 2 = $ 6,320• Meals-5 day plan:$1,780 x 2 = $ 3,560• 2 semesters: Estimate = $16,000 *

* Based on 30 credit hours a year

I/S @ $203.94 per credit hour

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID

Susan Zumstein Quest Executive Director

CSS Profile

o All colleges require the FAFSA, however many also require the CSS Profile?

o What documents are required to complete the CSS Profile?o IDOCS, Non-Custodial Parent,

Business/Farm Supplement

CSS Profile Log in

Need Blind Policy

o Need-Blind admission is a college admission policy in which the admitting institution does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission.

o In general, colleges with this policy possess large endowments to cover the costs of maintaining such a policy.

100% of Demonstrated Need

o A college that is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need agrees to pay full tuition/fees/room and board for any student who earns acceptance.

o Once the EFC is determined through the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, then a college will determine the EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

o SOME colleges will meet 100% of a family’s need with no loams.

Good Loans VS Bad Loans

⬜Subsidized Loans and the Perkins Loans are desirable loans, in that the interest doesn’t accrue until 6 months after graduation. ⬜The Unsubsidized Loans are not as

desireable because interest starts accruing immediately.

⬜Work Study may also be offered to a student in their financial aid package. The money earned goes directly to the college, and can sometimes be used to replace loans.

Scholarship Season

Community Foundation ScholarshipsScholarships open: December 1st, 2015

Scholarship Deadline: March 1st, 2016

The Community Foundation is a local resource where scholarships are awarded from funds established at the Foundation by local donors, corporations and organizations.

The generous donors and the Foundation believe in the power of education to help young people achieve their dreams.

Types of ScholarshipsMERIT BASED

Scholarships awarded based on academic achievement or a combination of academics &/or abilities. Extracurricular & community service are usually factor in.

NEED BASED Scholarships awarded based on the students’ &/or

the family’s financial need. Usually determined by submitting FAFSA information, tax information &/or by the scholarship committee based on information provided in the scholarship application.

CAREER BASED Scholarships awarded to students pursuing a

specific career.

Offered by a college / university. It can be a partial / full award. They are usually awarded based on academic / personal achievements.

COLLEGE BASED

BACKGROUND SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships awarded based on a student’s

heritage, culture, religion or sex.

What can you do now?

Prepare for applications for college.

Research scholarships-make note of requirements & deadlines.

Talk with the post-secondary institutions you are considering attending.

List the awards, honors, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and work experience. Create a resume to upload to scholarships & update it throughout the year.

Determine & ask the individual you would like to write your letter of recommendations.

Begin brainstorming/writing about what you want to write in a Personal Statement essay.

Word of caution when researching scholarships, investigate the sources.

Things to do during Scholarship SeasonWork with your school counselors to make sure you are filling out the information you need to apply for scholarships:FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

A form that can be prepared annually by the current &/ the prospective college student. This helps determine eligibility for student financial aid.

You will receive your SAR (Student Aid Report) after you fill out your FAFSA. SAR is a paper or electronic document that gives basic information regarding your eligibility for federal student aid.

Make sure you visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/. Do not go through another website. Go through the government website to ensure you are at the proper place.

Things to Consider Individual scholarship committees may have their own criteria to follow with a specific scholarship, however you should take into consideration:

Organization & Attention to DetailAccomplishments: Honors, Awards, Clubs, Volunteer Recognition, Leadership

Positions, etc.Life Growth / Development & Determination Integrity: Share a story where you have gone above & beyond, doing something that

isn’t motivated by personal gain (i.e. volunteering with a local non-profit, organizing a food drive, etc.).

Ambition & Standards: Show / express aspirations, overcoming hardships, success in academics, success in something outside of school.

Character & Self-Reliance

General Application Outline

Student Information: Name, address, contact info.

Family information: Parent information, number of siblings (dependents)

Financial Information: Cost of college, amount family will contribute, Bright Futures, Pell Grant, EFC number, etc.

High School Information: school, guidance counselor contact, GPA, ACT/SAT scores, dual enrollment

Post-Secondary Institution Information

Career plans

Other Scholarship Information

Extra-Curricular Activities, Awards & Honors, Community Involvement, Work experience

Essay

Community Foundation Website

Applicants will Press on

“Students” This tab will take

you to an explanation about the

scholarship program at the

Community Foundation of Collier County.

Community Foundation Website

You can apply to all the

scholarships managed by

the Community Foundation by clicking on the

button“Apply Today”

Create Your Account

Create an Account

Press on “New Applicant” and keep the email the

system sends you after you have created your

username/password.

Read all the Directions & Answer all the Questions

If you are eligible for a scholarship…

Press on the link in the email to complete the additional questions and submit by the

deadline.

Possible Essay TopicsTells us about yourself

What are your career plans?

Who / what inspires you?

Why do you need this scholarship? Or how will this scholarship help you financially?

Tell us a book or article you have read that has inspired you.

Write your personal statement.

What would you like to do to change the world?

How are you a leader?

Write about a current topic of choice that is in the news.

Why is education important to you?

Thank you!QUESTIONS

SCHOLARSHIPS: BITS AND PIECESBCHS Scholarship and FAFSA Class Presentations

Scholarships: CCPS Website

Volunteer Hours: FGCU Website

Bright Futures

Scholarship Essay

Final Thoughts and Tips

BCHS FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP CLASS PRESENTATIONSGuidance Team

Week of January 19th

Presentations through Senior English Classes

Topics Covered:• Bright Futures Registration• FAFSA Presentation• Local Scholarship Presentation

CCPS WEBSITE:SCHOLARSHIPSwww.collierschools.net

Top Blue Tab: STUDENTS

Scholarship Information• Scholarship Application Form• List of Scholarships• Filter for Scholarships/Search for Criteria

VOLUNTEER HOURS

Volunteer / Community Service Hours

• ARE NOT NECESSARY to Graduate• ARE NECESSARY for Bright Futures Consideration

• May be helpful for Consideration/Selection for a Local, National or College Based Scholarship

• May be helpful for College Admissions

FGCU Website Links

• All agencies listed in their database meet their risk management guidelines and are nonprofit, not-for-profit, or a governmental organization.

Are You on Target?

• http://www.fgcu.edu/Connect/are-you-on-target.html

Service Learning Data Base

• http://www.fgcu.edu/Connect/search.html

BRIGHT FUTURES

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/

Bright Futures CriteriaFlorida Academic Scholars

Florida Medallion Scholars

Gold Seal VOC Scholars

GPA

3.5 weighted GPA in the 16 College preparatory credits identified by the Florida Board of Regents

3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 College preparatory credits identified by the Florida Board of Regents

3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 credits required for graduation AND a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a 3 credit vocational program

Test ScoreRequirements

SAT: 1290 Combined(Excludes Writing)

ACT: 29 Composite

SAT: 1170 Combined(Excludes Writing)

ACT: 26 Composite

SAT: Read 440 Math 440

ACT: Read 19 Math 19 English 17

PERT: Read 106 Math 114 Writing 103

Community Service Hours

100 Hours 75 Hours 30 Hours

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY

Components of a Successful Essay

•Know Your Audience•Create a Thesis Statement•Make it Personal and Passionate•Structure and Grammar Count!

Know Your Audience• Read the criteria to determine what the organization is

looking for. Make sure you are a good “match”.• Organize your response to fit their criteria.

• Are they looking for Academic Success? Financial Need? Leadership? Community Service? Overcoming adversity? Character?

• Your essay should highlight how you fit the goals and values of the organization and stated criteria.

• Make sure to discuss relevant experiences.• Talk about how your goals and how this scholarship will fit

in with your future college and career plans. • Don’t do a “one size fits all” type of essay!

Create a Thesis Statement• What is the objective of your essay?• You should be able to express the point of the essay in

one statement.• Your whole essay should revolve around your thesis.

• Examples: • My academic achievements, work experience and community service

have all helped me to work towards my goal of….• I have developed strong leadership skills and have learned to interact

with a wide variety of people while….• My (education, family, work experience, challenges, opportunities)

have contributed to who I am today by…

Make it Personal and Passionate• Purpose: Convince the scholarship committee that you

are the best student in their pool of applicants.

• Stand Out: Write something that a judge will remember. Share a piece of yourself. Tell a “catchy” story. Describe what is unique about yourself. The reader should get a sense of who you are as a person.

• Exemplify: Illustrate your statements with real life examples and anecdotes. Make sure to let the reader get a sense of growth, change and evolution from your illustrated experiences. The “so what” of the experience.

Edit: Structure and Grammar Count!• Make sure you have a clear and concise thesis backed up

by specific examples – show don’t tell!• Adhere to word limits• Always type your essay• Reread the prompt to make sure you addressed the criteria• Proofread your essay• Have someone else proofread your essay• Organization, Grammar and Spelling count!• Tip: Don’t whine! Don’t write the “woe is me” essay. Make

sure to elaborate on the adversity in your life, but in a positive way. How did your challenges make you a better person? How will you build on past successes?

FINAL THOUGHTS AND TIPSGet Letters of Recommendation EARLY!

Request Official Transcripts

Financial Documentation may be required

Remember Deadlines – they are for real!

Submit applications to the appropriate place• Upload to a website• Mail to a specific organization• Bring to the BCHS Scholarship Coordinator

Apply for a scholarship – it’s the only way to be eligible for one!

Financial Aid Night Barron Collier High School

December 1, 2015

Questions?????

Thank-you for attending!