BUNNELL HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT 

FAFSA MADE EASY

Before Beginning a FAFSA 1

• Search for School Codes

• Students and Parents Create a FSA ID

• Gather documents and information required for completion of FAFSA *

• See checklist below

• Check Application Deadline Dates

Filling Out the FAFSA 2

• Fill Out Your FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Sign Electronically with Your FSA ID

FAFSA Follow-Up 3

• Check status of a submitted FAFSA

• Make corrections to a Processed FAFSA if necessary

• Add or delete a School Code

• View and print your Student Aid Report

What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

Here’s a checklist!

• Your FSA ID

• Your Social Security number

• Your parents Social Security numbers

• Your driver’s license number if you have one

• Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen

• Federal tax information or tax returns, for yourself if you have one and your parents. (If you/your parents have not filed an income tax return, complete and submit the FAFSA using estimated tax information)

• Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income and veterans non education benefits for yourself and for your parents

• Information on savings, investments, and business for yourself and parents

• List of schools you are interested applying to

Important Contacts: Toll-free number for questions about federal student aid:

1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or toll number 319-337-5665 E-mail: studentaid@ed.gov

For priority consideration, submit your application by February 15, 2020

Need Help Filling out the FAFSA?

Boy's & Girls Club of Milford has two sessions: TBD

FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid consists of grants, scholarships, work opportunities, and loans which help students meet their college expenses. Grants are based on need and do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are based on need, academic achievement, talent or community service or some combination of the four. Scholarships do not have to be repaid. Loans are borrowed moneys at varying interest rates available to students and parents. Loans generally must be repaid after a student leaves school, though a few loan programs require principal and/or interest payments while the student is still in school.

Work Study: Part-time employment is provided to students by the college.

Financial Need: Financial need is the difference between what it will cost a student to attend college and the amount the family can contribute as determined by the financial aid office.

Cost of Education
- Expected Family Contribution
= Financial Need *

* Financial need will vary from college to college. A family's ability to pay is determined largely by a formula set by the Federal government. The family's income, assets, debts, family size, and extenuating circumstances are all taken into consideration in determining financial need. Parents with special or unusual circumstances may wish to discuss their situation with the financial aid officer at the college in which their son/daughter are interested.

 HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

 FAFSA ON THE WEB -www.fafsa.ed.gov: Use the Internet to complete an electronic Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Information is sent directly to the Department of Education’s Central Processing System (CPS). The CPS will determine student eligibility for financial aid within 72 hours after receiving the completed application.

Helpful Financial Aid Websites: 
• Financial Aid Information Page - www.StudentAid.gov & www.FinAid.org (Rich offerings on everything from scam alerts to scholarship sources)
• Student Aid Publications - www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs (Financial aid primer from the U.S. Dept. of Ed., plus FAFSA links)
• U.S. Government – www.ed.gov
• www.StudentAid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate - find out if you qualify for financial aid
• EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Calculator – www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml
• State of Connecticut Office of Financial Aid – www.ctobe.org/SFA

CSS PROFILE:

Some colleges require the CSS PROFILE. The CSS PROFILE is a personalized financial aid application for each college you are seeking aid from. If you have narrowed down your choices and are sure where you are applying for aid or are applying Early Decision, you can register for the CSS PROFILE at any time but at least three to four weeks before the earliest deadline. CSS PROFILE must be completed online.

Register for CSS PROFILE: Connect to College Board Online (http://www.collegeboard.org)

• Click on CSS/profile under “Pay for College” on the student’s homepage
• Click on 2022-23 Profile

Cost: $25.00 for initial application (first school report included), $16.00 for each additional report

OTHER FORMS: Some schools may have you fill out their own institutional financial aid form. Fill out when applying to school.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

To determine if you're eligible, the Department of Education uses a standard formula, revised and approved every year by Congress, to evaluate any information you report when you apply for a Pell Grant. The formula produces a Student Aid Index number. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number and will tell you whether you're eligible for a Pell Grant.

You must submit all parts of your Student Aid Report (SAR) to the college that you decide to attend. Your college will then credit your award to your account, pay you directly, or use a combination of these methods.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG): The SEOG program is federally funded to help those students in exceptional financial need (with priority given to Pell Grant recipients.) The amounts are up to $4,000 per year and the funds are controlled by the college. The Department of Education guarantees that each participating school will receive enough money for SEOG's and when that money is gone, there are no more SEOG's for that year. That's why it is important to meet the school's financial aid application deadlines.

A student whose parent was a member of the armed forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/01. Must be eligible for a federal Pell Grant, under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent/guardian’s death. This is equal to the amount of the maximum Pell Grant.

Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant: The student should be enrolled in or plan to enroll in course work leading to a career in teaching. The need to score above the 75% on college admissions tests or maintain a GPA of at least 3.25. The student can receive up to $4,000 per year.: TEACH Grant A high school senior who ranks in the top 20% of their class or better, SAT score of at least 1800 or ACT score of at least 27. The recipient must attend a private non-profit or public college in Connecticut. The student can receive up to $4,500 per year. ):Governor’s Scholarship (Merit-based A student who resides in Connecticut, plans to attend a public or private non-profit in state college and meets EFC guidelines. The student can receive up to $3,000 per year. : In April a list of scholarships and awards will be distributed. Select those for which you are eligible. Determination will be made by the donating organization and/or the Bunnell Scholarship and Awards Committee.

Governor’s Scholarship (Need-based):

Local Scholarships and Awards
Information is obtained by looking in school catalogs, newspapers, professional and trade journals, daily announcements, school counseling office books and bulletins, and on the computer at Bunnell’s School Counseling website. Some churches, parent employers, ethnic organizations, and foundations offer aid. Athletes, nurses, academically talented, needy, Native Americans, minorities, handicapped, etc, can seek specialized aid. Search for scholarships exclusively for service members, veterans and dependents at: Specialized Scholarships:

Military Service:
www.military.com/careers/Education LOANS There are many loan programs. Some have cancellation provisions and may have low interest rates. Payments usually begin after graduation.: The amount you can borrow is based on your grade level and your status as a student. Stafford Loans enable students to borrow up to $20, 500 depending on degree status and years in school. Money can be borrowed directly from a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, etc. Interest will be from 3.86 % - 5.41% fixed. A FAFSA must be filed. Loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized: Interest paid by government while borrower is in school. Unsubsidized: Interest paid by borrower while borrower in school.

Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized LoansPLUS Loan Program: Parents borrow up to the cost of their child’s education minus the amount of financial aid he/she may receive. The interest rate is fixed at 6.41%. The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority offers loans of up to full cost of education less other aid at a low fixed rate. The loan terms allow for payment of interest only while a student is in school. Upon completion of college, the loan is paid off over 140 months. Apply online at: . CHESLA:www.chesla.org SELF HELPFederal Work/Study Program: The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides jobs for undergraduate students who need financial aid. FWS gives you a chance to earn money to help pay your educational expenses. R.O.T.C. programs offer two, three, or four year scholarships. These scholarships pay 100% tuition and the cost of books, plus a monthly stipend depending on branch of service. Armed Services:Tuition or partial tuition for veterans at in-state colleges. Scholarships and grants are available to members or family members. Connecticut National Guard:The Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program can help you accumulate money towards your education. Rates vary depending on amount of time served. For additional information visit: This community service initiative provides high school graduates ranging in ages 18 – 24 with opportunity to serve. Some programs provide modest living allowances and some provide housing for full- time participants over a 10 -12 month period. Upon successful completion of their service, members receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. For additional information please visit: www.gibill.va.gov

National Service Trust Program (Americorps):www.americorps.gov ??????? QUESTIONS ??????? QUESTIONS ??????? If you have questions, do not hesitate to call the financial aid office of the college to which you are applying or any local college's financial aid office or see your School Counselor.

WAYS TO SAVE
1. Attend a state supported school.
2. Commute to a local school.
3. Attend a college branch program.
4. Participate in the New England Regional Program: New England residents may enroll in out-of-state public colleges and universities in the six-state region (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) at reduced tuition rates (25 percent above in-state tuition, rather than full out-of-state tuition for certain degree programs that are not offered by their home state public institutions.
5. Attend school part-time.
6. Gain a skill level training and work in the field for an employer who will pay for continued part-time study.
7. If a student is particularly bright, exceptionally talented in some field or above average in athletic ability explore the possibility of increased aid. Admissions, certain departments, or coaches might ask that the student be given preferential treatment if he/she can make a valuable contribution to the school.
8. Parents' employment: Many companies offer scholarships to employee's children. Parents should inquire if their place of employment has any available financial assistance.
9. Student's interests, hobbies, religion, or career plans may be other potential opportunities for scholarship.
10. Modified Payments: Many colleges have specialized programs such as: monthly tuition payments, discount for multiple students tuition reimbursement, minority tuition waivers, etc.
11. Trim cash assets by paying off credit-card debt, car and home equity loans.
12. Pay yourself first. Schools don’t count 401(k) or IRA’s when calculating aid.
13. Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA): A maximum of $2,000 per year may be contributed to an Education Savings Account until a child reaches 18. All amounts withdrawn from an ESA to pay qualified higher education expenses will be exempt from taxes. For more information visit: www. irs.gov.
14. 529 Plans:– State-run College Savings Plans. This investment plan allows people to meet costs of colleges nationwide. The money can be used at any school in the country, and parents keep control until the child goes to college. The earnings become tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) is Connecticut’s 529 College savings program. For further information call: 1-877-607-2955 or visit .www.aboutchet.com
15. “HOPE Scholarship” tax credit - Students will receive a 100% tax credit for the first $2,000 in qualified expenses. and a 25% credit on the second $2,000. A high school senior going into his/ her freshman year of college in September, 2014, for example, could be eligible for as much as a $2,000 per year HOPE tax credit.For additional information: www.irs.gov15. The Lifetime Learning tax credit: You may be able to claim a lifetime learning credit up to $2,5000 for qualified tuition and related expenses paid for all students enrolled in eligible educational institutions. There is no limit on the number of years for which the lifetime learning credit can be claimed for each student. For additional information: www.irs.gov