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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 [email protected] Premise of Financial Aid Families 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 aid State aid Some institutional aid Types of Aid Federal Government Pell, SEOG, TEACH, Academic Competitive Grant; SMART Loans – both government and private State Government State Grant Program – some are need based, some are merit Institutional Aid Funds that colleges use to assist students Scholarships Community Groups, churches, businesses LeTendre Scholarship RESOURCES FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Helpful Websites to Bookmark… U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Website Available in English at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.j sp Available in Spanish at http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=gu Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Available in English at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Available in Spanish at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/es_ES/index.htm OTHER FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES Financial aid office at the college/university State’s Higher Education Services College Access Organizations TRIO, GEAR UP, State Guaranty Agencies College Goal Sunday Volunteer-run program to assist students and families, free of charge in the completion of the FAFSA 39 states in 2010 www.collegegoalsundayusa.org “Decide Where You’ll Get Help” FAFSA Cannot be filed before January 1st of the year in which the student wishes to enroll Need 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 students Must 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 - DRAFT Verification must be made by: a McKinney-Vento Act school district liaison a HUD homeless assistance program director or their designee a Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program director or their designee a 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 care Youth who left foster care after age 13 Homeless 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 youth Foster youth English language learners Students with disabilities Other disconnected students HEOA of 2008, Cont’d GEAR UP Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Federally funded college access program School based – School must meet eligibility guidelines of 50% free and reduced lunch Two 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 Level Close gaps on FAFSA Instructions Homeless students must have “determination” Lack of reference to “self-supporting “and “at risk of being homeless” in all questions Change definition of “youth” to 24 instead of 21 to be consistent with independent status Financial Aid Community Gain understanding of homeless and unaccompanied youth Refrain from asking for “personal” situations Know the law! Encourage them to become advocates for homeless students WORKING WITH HOMELESS STUDENTS IN COLLEGE PREPARATION Mapping Your Future – www.mappingyourfuture.org Web-based free and interactive services Middle school through college graduation Career Ship – Career exploration program Show Me The Future – Life and financial literacy skills Make High School Count – Preparation for education beyond high school Guide to Life After High School – Appropriate academic choices in high school Training through Webinars upon request WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW Become familiar with the college access process and financial aid Educate high school counselors and school staff Keep 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 practices Connect each state’s higher education resources to offer support and access COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY Build 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 QUESTIONS What do you need? What would you like to know? What would be helpful?