Presented by:

Jeff GregoryUniversity of Colorado at Boulder

Peg MasonColorado School of Mines

Applying for Federal Financial Aid 2010-2011

And other Financial Aid Fun Facts

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What’s new in 2010-2011?

IRS Database Match

Currently available for FOTW filers for 2009-2010 financial aid year

Will be available mid-summer for 2010-11

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What’s new in 2010-11?

Paper FAFSA

Overall design and layout unchanged for 2010-2011

Revised Student’s Marital Status Responses

Removed Veteran Questions “Will you receive Benefits”, “Types of Benefits”

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What’s new in 2010-11?

Paper FAFSA (cont.)

Added New Income Exclusions for Cooperative Education Program Benefits

Added Guidance Regarding Military Housing Allowance

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What’s new in 2010-11?

FAFSA on the Web

Continue to offer three paths to apply without parental data

Added additional Special Circumstances Flag values to Student Aid Report (school use)

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What’s new in 2010-11?

FAFSA on the Web (cont.)

Automated match process for DOD match for parent or guardian killed in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001

Enhanced Two Pell Grant report (school use)

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What’s new in 2010-11?

FAFSA on the Web Item Changes and Comparisons Presentation

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Cash, savings, checking accounts (do NOT include financial aid)

Investments including real estate (do NOT include primary residence)

Business or investment farms (do NOT include family farm or business with 100 or fewer employees)

Assets – What are they?

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Do NOT include value of life insurance

Do NOT include the value of retirement plans (401k, 403b, pension funds, annuities, non-education IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.)

Do NOT include cash, savings and checking accounts already reported

Assets – What are they not?

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Independent student – report value of student and spouse 529s as student asset

Dependent student – report value of 529s in name of parent and student as parent asset

Assets – What about 529s?

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Two basic models

Dependent

Independent

With dependents

Without dependents

Basics Unchanged

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Case by case basis

Handled institutionally

Contact college or university directly

Special Circumstances

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May include:

Parental loss of income

Significant medical expenses

Unusual employment expenses

Other factors impacting family ability to pay

Special Circumstances (cont.)

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FAFSA questions 56,57,58

Unaccompanied homeless youth

Determined by school homeless liaison, emergency shelter director, director of homeless youth basic center or transitional living program

Homeless Youth

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Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens are eligible to receive federal student aid

Undocumented individuals may:

Have entered U.S. Illegally

Have entered U.S. legally on temporary basis and stayed after documents expired

Have been brought into the U.S. by someone else

Undocumented Individuals

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U.S. permanent residents

Citizens of the Freely Associated States: Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands

Other eligible non-citizens:

Refugees

Victims of human trafficking

Persons granted asylum

Eligible Non-citizens

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Other eligible non-citizens:

Conditional entrants

Persons paroled into the U.S. for at least one year

Cuban-Haitian entrants

Eligible Non-citizens (cont.)

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State of Colorado Aid

Colorado institutions use the data provided on the (FAFSA) to award state aid

Other states may require submission of supplemental forms. If applying to an out of state institution, determine if aid is available to non-residents.

While not financial aid, Colorado residents planning on attending a Colorado public college or university, Regis University, Colorado Christian University, or the University of Denver, should apply for the College Opportunity Fund (https://cof.college-assist.org)

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Pell Grant Changes

Maximum Pell Grant Award for 2010-11 - $5,550

Two Pell Grants in one year – student qualifies for a second scheduled award upon successful completion of one academic year as defined by credit hours completed

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Other Federal Aid Programs

Federal ACG

Federal SMART Grants

Federal TEACH Grants

Federal SEOG

Federal Workstudy

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Cost of Attendance (Budget)

Sample Resident Undergraduate (9 month)

On-campus Off-campus

Tuition and fees $7,278 $7,278Books and supplies 1,749 1,749Room and board 9,860 8,478Personal 1,233 1,233Transportation 1,296 1,296Medical expenses 1,845 1,845Total $ 23,261 $21,879

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Financial Literacy

Making Wise Decisions

Regarding the Use of Your

Financial Aid Funds

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How can I reduce my costs 1/3?

Do the math! Completing a 120 credit bachelor’s degree in four years requires completing 30 credits each year or 15 credits per semester. Completing your degree in the least amount of time possible reduces cost and increases future income!

If available, utilize the tuition window at your school. It’s like getting free tuition. In many cases, there is no or little cost difference between taking 15 credits and 12 credits per semester.

If you are allowed to waive school health insurance because of parental coverage, do it by the deadline!

Used books read just as well as new books and usually cost less.

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How can I reduce my costs 2/3?

Avoid the avoidable! When parking on campus, do not park in no-parking zones. If possible, consider leaving your car at home.

Return library books and materials by the due date. Fines and late fees add up quickly and will be added to your bill.

When renting a dorm room or apartment, resist the temptation to perform major renovations. They rarely increase the value and normally reduce the amount of your damage deposit.

School supplies are usually less expensive when purchased off-campus.

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How can I reduce my costs 3/3?

Practice effective money management. You will likely receive one refund of excess financial aid each semester. You will need to budget these funds to last for several months.

If living on-campus, purchase a meal plan that is consistent with your eating habits and tastes. If living off-campus, be a smart consumer when grocery shopping.

Maintain your eligibility for financial aid. Too many dropped classes or poor performance in the classroom can cost you your financial aid eligibility.

Remember, college is a means to an end! For most students, it is the best investment of time and money you will ever make.

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Questions and Answers