Transcript Slide 1
Funding Your Future
Financial Aid
Overview
Topics
Introduction
What is financial aid?
Sources of financial aid
Eligibility requirements
How to apply?
What happens after?
Where do I get help?
Other information
What is financial aid?
Financial aid are funds provided to
students and families to help pay for
postsecondary educational expenses
Sources of Financial Aid
Private sources-scholarships
Federal and State Grants
Student Loans
Work Study
Scholarships
Awarded on the basis of skills, gpa
or unique characteristic
Free money
Foundations, high schools,
businesses, charitable
organizations, employers, unions
Deadlines vary
The Cuesta Promise
2013-2014 SLO County high school
graduates
Fall 2014 semester fees covered
Complete the Cuesta scholarship
application by March 2, 2014
Guaranteed to all students who complete
the promise steps regardless of income or
gpa
Federal Government
Largest source of financial aid
Aid awarded primarily on the basis
of financial need
Must complete the FAFSA
Common Federal Programs
Pell Grant
Federal
Supplemental
Opportunity Grant
Federal Work Study
Teach Grant
Federal Loans
-Subsidized
-Unsubsidized
PLUS- Parent Loan
Limitations of Federal Aid Programs
Pell
Grant 12 full-time semesters
Direct Subsidized Loans 150% of the
length of program
To track financial aid history:
http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/
California State Grants
Residency requirements
Aid awarded on the basis of both gpa and
need
Must complete the FAFSA
Common CA State Programs
AB540
Cal-Grants
Chafee
University Grants
Middle Class Scholarship
Board of Governors Fee Waiver
AB540
Allows non-resident students to
receive state grant opportunities
Must complete application at
college/university
Admissions Office determines
eligibility
Student is able to complete the
FAFSA or Dream Act application
Cal-Grants
Must submit FAFSA or Dream Act
Students/school must complete a GPA
verification form
Verify if your high school submitted
your GPA
Visit www.webgrantsforstudents.org
Deadline March 2nd, 2014
Chafee
Available for foster-youth
Must complete an online
application
Limited funds
University Grants
Available at private and public
universities
Funds may be limited
Follow-up with your school of
choice
Middle Class Scholarship Program
New, transfer and returning
undergraduate students
California State University or University of
California
Family income of up to $150,000
Complete the FAFSA or Dream Act
application
Board of Governors Fee Waiver
Waives enrollment fees at
community colleges
You must complete FAFSA or
Dream-Act
Eligibility Requirements for
Federal and State Aid
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
***Have a valid social security number***
Register with Selective Service
High school diploma/GED/homeschooled
Enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate
program
How do I apply for 2014-15?
Complete the FAFSA or Dream Act
Apply online www.fafsa.gov or
www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp
Application is available starting
January 1st
Colleges may set their own
deadlines
Dream Act Application
California application for financial
aid
Only for students who do not have
a SSN
Students complete this instead of
the FAFSA
Frequent Application Delays
Transposed Social Security Numbers
Marital status
Income information
Taxes paid
Household size
Number in college
Asset information missing
Missing student/parent signatures
What happens after?
Student will receive a Student Aid
Report (SAR); make corrections
Student will have an Expected Family
Contribution (EFC)
School may require student/parent to
submit additional documentation
Need Varies Based on Cost
1
X
2
Y
3
Cost of
Attendance
(Variable)
Z
EFC
EFC
Expected Family
Contribution
Need
(Constant)
(Variable)
How can I help as a parent?
Complete income taxes early
Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Request IRS Transcripts
Online: www.irs.gov
Transcript Type: Return Transcript
Phone number: 1-800-908-9946
Have your son/daughter follow-up with the
financial aid office!
Where can I obtain help?
Cash for College Workshops:
Enter in a $1000 Scholarship raffle
February 11th Cuesta SLO Campus
February 12th Paso Robles Campus
FAFSA, Dream Act, Cuesta Scholarship
Application
Special Circumstances
Change in employment status
Medical expenses
Unusual dependent care expenses
Loss of parent or student income
Any other unusual circumstances that
affect a family’s ability to contribute to
higher education
Electronic Payments
Students have options to receive
financial aid or tuition
disbursements:
Receive disbursement on a debit
card
Direct deposit into a personal bank
account
Request a paper check
Questions?
Cuesta College
www.cuesta.edu
805-546-3143