How To Apply
For Financial Aid
Topics to be Covered
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What is the FAFSA?
Obtaining a FSA User ID
FAFSA Application
Types of Financial Aid
Cal Grant
DREAM Application
What is the FAFSA?
• The FAFSA is the Free
Application for Federal
Student Aid
• www.fafsa.gov
• 2016-2017 available
starting January 1, 2016
• Priority Deadline: MARCH 2, 2016
• Used for federal, state, and some institutional aid
– Grants, Work-Study and Federal Student loans
Federal Student Aid User ID &
Password
• Your electronic signature
• Each person must obtain one
• Used to file the FAFSA, and access other
federal websites
• Can be requested during the FAFSA
application or online at:
– www.fsaid.ed.gov
FAFSA Application
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Step 1 - Student Demographics
Step 2 - School Selection
Step 3 - Dependency Status
Step 4 - Parent Information
Step 5 - Financial Information
Step 6 - Parent/Student Household
Step 7 - Signatures
Step 1 - Student Demographics
• General information about the student
– name, address, SSN, date of birth, degree objective, etc.
• Name must match legal name on Social Security Card
– Do not use nicknames or abbreviations of your name
• Selective Service
– If male and 18+ must register with Selective Service
• Email Address
– Suggest you provide. If provided, notifications
received more quickly by email
Step 2 – School Selection
• Option to list up to 10 colleges that will
receive your FAFSA
• Search feature available to search for schools or
you can directly enter the school code
– University of La Verne: 001216
• Housing Plans
– On Campus (dorms)
– With Parent
– Off Campus
Step 3 – Dependency Questions
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Born before January 1, 1993
Married
Seeking Master’s or Doctorate program
Have children or dependents
Serving in U.S. Armed forces or a Veteran
Parents deceased since turned 13 years old
Emancipated minor, ward of court, legal
guardianship
• Homeless or at risk of being homeless
Step 4 – Parent Information
• Parent(s) is defined as:
– Biological, Adoptive or Step-parent
• Marital Status
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Single
Married
Divorced
Widowed
Unmarried and both parents living together
• If parent does not have Social Security Number,
report as 000-00-0000
• People in parent’s household
Step 5 - Financial Information
Student/Spouse and/or Parent
• Completed IRS Tax Return
• Include adjusted gross income for 2015 and
earnings from work
– Can provide estimate based on 2015 earnings
– Update FAFSA when return is filed
• Include additional financial information and
untaxed income
Step 5 - Financial Information
• Asset value as of the date FAFSA is
completed
• Cash, savings and checking accounts
• Investments net worth
• Business net worth
– Over 100 employees
• Investment & farms net worth
– Do not include family farm
Step 6 – Household
Dependent Students
• List members of your household
– Parent(s)
– Self
– Siblings
– Others living in house that parent provides
more than 50% of support for and will
continue to do so through June 30, 2017.
Sign and Submit
• Required
– Student
– One parent (dependent student)
• Ways to Submit
– Electronically with FSA ID
• User name and password
– Print Signature Page
– Paper FAFSA (not recommended)
Confirmation
• When your application is processed you
will be notified via E-mail (if you provided one).
• Your processed application is the:
– Student Aid Report (SAR)
– Summary of your FAFSA information
• Your processed application is sent to the
schools you indicated on the application
Next . . .
• Schools determine federal, state, and
institutional aid you qualify for.
• Schools send you an award notification
showing what aid you qualify for.
• Schools may request additional
information from you.
Types of Financial Aid
• Gift Aid Grants (federal, state, institutional)
– Scholarships
• Work-Study
• Loans – student and parent
Federal Aid Programs
• Student Aid
– Pell Grant
– Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
(FSEOG)
– Federal Work-Study
– Federal Student Loans
• Direct Subsidized - Need Based
• Direct Unsubsidized – Non Need Based
• Perkins Loan – Need Based
Federal Aid Programs
• Parent Aid
– Parent PLUS Loan
• Credit based loan offered to parent or step-parent
• Fixed interest rate (set July 1st)
• Can be requested to cover any remaining
educational costs for student
State Aid Programs
• Cal Grant A, B, or C
• CHAFEE Grant
• CA Dream Act (DACA Students)
• Only State Schools (UC/CSU/Community College)
– Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
– Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOG)
– Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP)
Cal Grant Program
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Deadline: March 2nd, 2016
www.calgrants.org
Must meet GPA, income and assets ceilings
Required Documents
– FAFSA
– GPA Verification Form
• School will file your GPA (check with your school)
• Student can obtain a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
Must be certified by a school official and mailed to
CSAC
California Dream Act of 2011
• Allows students who meet certain criteria to
apply for financial aid, such as:
– Private Scholarships
– State University Grant (CSU & UC)
– Cal Grants, EOP Grants
• Applicants include:
– AB540 students
– Undocumented students
– Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
students
California Dream Act Application
• Application opens January 1, 2016
• www.caldreamact.org
• Eligibility
– Attended a CA school for 3+ years AND
graduated from a CA HS or equivalent
– Attend a CA college or university
• Deadline: March 2nd, 2016
• Submit GPA Verification
Institutional Aid
• Grants – typically need based
• Scholarships – typically merit based
– Private (from outside donors)
– Institutional (through the school)
• Loans
Each school may offer different types of aid
based on institutional resources. Check with
each school you are applying to for additional
information.
Other Aid Programs
• Other Scholarships/grants
– Search engines online
– Local community groups, clubs, businesses,
churches, synagogues, etc.
• Vocational Rehab
• Veteran’s Benefits
– Contact Veteran’s Affairs representative
Office of Financial Aid
1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
(800) 649-0160 (phone)
(909) 932-2751 (fax)
finaid@laverne.edu
www.laverne.edu/financial-aid
Questions