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
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State Grants & Scholarships
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Federal Programs
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Additional Financial Aid Resources
• Institutional Aid
• Private Sources
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College Goal Sunday
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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
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Merit based scholarships that reward high school
graduates for high academic achievement
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Award Amount up to 75% -100% of tuition & fees
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Comprised of the three following awards
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Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) - 100%
(Including Academic Top Scholars)
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Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) – 75%*
(*100% at Public Community Colleges)
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Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award – 75%
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
 Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
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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)
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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
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Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
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Need-based grant for students who demonstrate
substantial financial need.
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Students are required to complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
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2006-07 Maximum Award Amount - $1,722
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EFC and college’s cost of education determine amount
of awards
Institution determines application procedures,
deadlines and student eligibility.
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Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG)
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Provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduates
attending eligible 4-year, private, postsecondary
institutions.
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Institution determines application procedures,
deadlines and student eligibility.
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2006-07 Annual Award Amount - $3,000
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Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New State Grants & Scholarships
First Generation Matching Grant Program
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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
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Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
State Grants & Scholarships
 Merit-based
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Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
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Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (federal funds)
 Need-based (requires FAFSA)
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Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Program
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Rosewood Family Scholarship Program
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Mary McCloud Bethune Scholarship Program
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Florida Work Experience Program
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First Generation Matching Grant Program
 Special Interest
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Children/Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)
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Ethics in Business Scholarship
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Florida Resident Assistance Grant (FRAG)
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Access to Better Learning & Education Grant (ABLE)
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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
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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”
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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
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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:
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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
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Corporate Scholarships
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Non-profit Scholarships
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Scholarship from civic & professional
organizations
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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