Transcript Document
Florida College Access Network
Conference
September 2006
Tampa, Florida
Financial Aid:
What’s New & What to Do!
Presented by: Cynthia Williams
Florida Department of Education
Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Agenda
•
State Grants & Scholarships
•
Federal Programs
•
Additional Financial Aid Resources
• Institutional Aid
• Private Sources
College Goal Sunday
Financial Aid Resources
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
State Grants & Scholarships
$604 million was appropriated to fund State
Programs in 2006-07.
Three largest state funded programs:
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program-
$346.3M
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) - $120.5M
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) - $102.6M
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Merit based scholarships that reward high school
graduates for high academic achievement
Award Amount up to 75% -100% of tuition & fees
Comprised of the three following awards
Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) - 100%
(Including Academic Top Scholars)
Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) – 75%*
(*100% at Public Community Colleges)
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award – 75%
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
3.5 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses
1270 SAT or 28 ACT
Community Service
100% Tuition and Fees Award
Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS)
3.0 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses
970 SAT or 20 ACT
75% Tuition and Fees Award (100% at Public Community Colleges)
Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV)
3.0 GPA in Coursework Required for HS Graduation
3.5 GPA in 3 Vocational Courses
College Placement Test Scores at Non Remedial Levels
75% Tuition and Fees Award
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Need-based grant for students who demonstrate
substantial financial need.
Students are required to complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2006-07 Maximum Award Amount - $1,722
EFC and college’s cost of education determine amount
of awards
Institution determines application procedures,
deadlines and student eligibility.
Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG)
Provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduates
attending eligible 4-year, private, postsecondary
institutions.
Institution determines application procedures,
deadlines and student eligibility.
2006-07 Annual Award Amount - $3,000
Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New State Grants & Scholarships
First Generation Matching Grant Program
Creates a need-based grant program for 1st
generation in college students who attend a public
state university
State universities will match state funds with
private funds up to $6.5 million
Student eligibility is based on
Parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree
Need determination – Students required to file FASFA
Undergraduate, resident, full-time status
University can award up to the Cost of Attendance
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New State Grants & Scholarships
Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Training
Grant (CMV)
Highway safety in Florida is a priority
$1,000,000 grant
Training to receive the commercial driver’s license
At Public and Private Vocational Training Centers
$2,500 Forgivable Loan
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
State Grants & Scholarships
Merit-based
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (federal funds)
Need-based (requires FAFSA)
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Program
Rosewood Family Scholarship Program
Mary McCloud Bethune Scholarship Program
Florida Work Experience Program
First Generation Matching Grant Program
Special Interest
Children/Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)
Ethics in Business Scholarship
Florida Resident Assistance Grant (FRAG)
Access to Better Learning & Education Grant (ABLE)
Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant Program
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
How to Apply for State Aid
Submit Florida Financial Aid Application online
Eligibility criteria vary by program
In general……
Must be US citizen or eligible non-citizen
Meet residency requirement
Attend a postsecondary institution in Florida
Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program
Not owe a repayment on a federal or state grant or be in
default of a federal or state loan
Make satisfactory academic progress
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Visit OSFA Website at
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Financial Aid Application
One Application for All Programs
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Financial Aid Application
Application for 2007-08 available December 1st
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Important Application Deadlines
April 1, 2007
• José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant
• Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund
• Scholarship for Children/Spouses of
Deceased/Disabled Veterans
April 15, 2007
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
High School Graduation
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Federal Programs
Federal Grants
Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students
only and do not have to be repaid
Federal Loans
Student loans that must be repaid and are
available to both graduate and undergraduate
students
Stafford Subsidized (Need-based)
Stafford Unsubsidized
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New Federal Programs
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
First and second year college students
Pell grant recipients = Need-based Program
Enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution
Degree-seeking, Full-time
U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible)
“High School rigorous curriculum”
Bright Futures coursework, or
Two AP or IB courses with passing test grades
ACG Award Amount:
1st year: $ 750
2nd year: $1,300
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New Federal Programs
SMART Grant
Third and fourth year students
Degree-seeking in designated program of study
Computer Science, Engineering, Foreign Language, Life
Sciences, Mathematics, Multidisciplinary Studies,
Physical Sciences, Technology
Award Amount
3rd year - $4,000
4th year - $4,000
Pell Grant recipients = Need-based Program
Enrolled full-time at a 2- or 4-year institution
U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible)
Awards determined at the student’s postsecondary institution
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
How To Apply for Federal Aid
Complete the Free Application for Financial
Student Aid (FAFSA)
Check Student Aid Report (SAR) for Accuracy
FAFSA
Calculates the student Expected Family
Contribution (EFC)
Schools use EFC to award financial aid
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
FAFSA Website – www.fafsa.gov
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Federal Student Aid Eligibility
To receive federal student aid a student must be:
A US citizen or eligible non-citizen
Registered with the Selective Service
Attending a participating school
Working toward a degree or certificate
Making satisfactory academic progress
Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in
default on a federal education loan
Must have financial need (except for
unsubsidized Stafford Loans)
Not have any drug convictions
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Institutional Sources of Aid
Most postsecondary institutions provide
Internships
Merit scholarships
Need-based grants
Check with financial aid officers for
more information.
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Private Sources of Aid
Corporate Scholarships
Non-profit Scholarships
Scholarship from civic & professional
organizations
Check with college Foundation office or
financial aid office
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
College Goal Sunday
February 25, 2007
Program to help low-income families and first-generation college
students complete FAFSA.
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Financial Aid Resources
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org
www.fafsa.edu.gov
www.finaid.org
www.fastweb.com
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Contact Us
Florida Department of Education
Office of Student Financial
Assistance
1-888-827-2004
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006