College Summit

Author : Melissa Jones

Top Ten Tips for Financial Aid

Posted by: College Summit Education Posted date: Feb 08, 2011

This post is the second in a series of four to share best practices for College Summit implementation that any school can use to drive college-going culture.

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Topics: Financial Aid

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This post is the second in a series of four to share best practices for College Summit implementation that any school can use to drive college-going culture.
Whenever we talk to young people about their worries about life after college, money (or lack thereof) invariably surfaces as a major concern. Informally, students tell us that they believe college is too expensive, or that they are worried about not being able to work if their are in school and therefore lose out on the opporutnity to support themselves.  And the <a href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=financial+aid&btnG=Search&as_sdt=0%2C5&as_ylo=&as_vis=0" target="_blank">secondary research</a> confirms that money concerns are among the top reasons why many young people never enroll in college at all.
In the College Summit Navigator, we teach students about paying for college by couching the discussion in a debate: is education a right or a privelege? Typically, students will have differing views on the answer to this question. But the fact of the matter is, if you want to pursue a postsecondary education in this nation, you have a right to access financial aid.
However, in today's economy, where many state and local college systems are slashing their budgets, lack of financial aid is a legitimate concern. That's why we provide instruction for students and educators in how to maximize financial aid applications in order ensure that all students have access to appropriate postsecondary programs that will help them meet their goals. We teach students how to fill out their FAFSA forms, how to prioritize their scholarship applications, and how to leverage the financial aid office on their campus once they get into college.
One such financial aid officer, <a href="http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/" target="_blank">Nancy Jodaitis</a> of <a href="http://www.sfsu.edu/" target="_blank">San Francisco State University</a>, presented the following tips for maximizing financial aid at our <a href="/regions/northern-california" target="_blank">College Summit Northern California</a> office's <a href="/regions/news-events/northern-california/norcal-educators-best-practices" target="_blank">Educator's Best Practices event</a>:
 
<h1>Top Ten Tips for Maximizing Financial Aid</h1>
 
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1) March 2nd - Really!
Students who <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/" target="_blank">fill out their FAFSA</a> by March 2nd have the most access to financial aid, because colleges and universities give out financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis. College Summit recommends February 15th as the deadline in order to have the FAFSA in well before March 2nd.
2) Know the FAFSA Facts
Once you <a href="http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp" target="_blank">register for a pin</a> and fill out your FAFSA correctly, you still have steps you must take to ensure your Student Aid Report is maximized. This is especially important for students with non-traditional family or home situations, or for students who are undocumented. Be sure you know what to do! Your Navigator has lots of great information in Week 17. When in doubt, check out the <a href="http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/faqs.jsp" target="_blank">FAFSA FAQ</a>. 
3) Don't wait - estimate!
You can fill out your FAFSA before you get your tax information. Just estimate based on last year, and submit so you can meet the March 2nd deadline. You can always fix up your estimations later.
4) Fill out your state aid forms!
In California, you must <a href="http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1177" target="_blank">fill out a CalGrant authorization form</a>. Other states have their own forms that must be filled out after you FAFSA is complete. If you don't fill these out, you miss out on free money!
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>
CT, CO, IN, MD, and VA residents:You are automatically applied for state aid if you fill out a FAFSA and attend an in-state school. Contact yourschool’s or program’s financial aid office to get the details.
</li>
<li>
DC residents:<a href="http://www.dconeapp.org" target="_blank">Fill out the DC One App</a> to apply for DC Tuition Grants and other financial aid opportunities.
</li>
<li>
FL residents:<a href="http://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org" target="_blank">Fill out the Florida Financial Aid Application</a>
</li>
<li>
NY residents:<a href="http://www.tapweb.org/totw" target="_blank">Fill out the Tuition Assistance Program application</a>
</li>
<li>
SC residents:<a href="http://www.scstudentloan.org" target="_blank">Fill out applications for SC and Palmetto Loans</a>
</li>
<li>
WV residents:<a href="http://www.wvapply.com" target="_blank">Apply for the Higher Education Grant</a>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
If you're attending community college but intend to transfer to a four-year institution later, keep in mind that your costs may increase. In California, you might consider deferring your CalGrant until you get to the four-year institution so you can maximize your savings. In other states, you might think about applying for different scholarships or using different strategies to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck. 
5) Stay in touch with your financial aid offices at your schools
Check the email you used to fill out the FAFSA. If your financial aid offices send you requests for information, respond and follow up! Even if they don't send you a request, go online and check the status of your application frequently to be sure you're on track for approval.
6) Put all schools you're applying to on the FAFSA
FAFSA has room for 10 schools. If you're applying to more, submit your FAFSA with your top ten schools, wait a week, then go back online and delete those 10, and add the rest. This way, all of the schools you're applying to will receive your FAFSA and SAR from the federal government. Once you receive your financial aid offer letters from schools, compare them to make the best decision for yourself.
7) Accept every financial aid offer you get
Because schools give financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis, Nancy recommends accepting every package you get. Once you decide where you want to go, you can go back and cancel all of the offers at all of the schools you have not chosen. 
8) Apply to as many scholarships as you can
FAFSA is key, but scholarships are a great way to supplement your financial aid packages. Nancy suggests using a scholarship list tool, like the one in the Navigator in Week 18. If you have one solid essay (like your Personal Statement), you can use it over and over again to make your applications easier to complete. Remember that you must re-apply each year for scholarships, not just freshman year! CSNav has a great scholarship search tool, and it's accessible even after you graduate from high school. 
9) If you get scholarships, give the letter to your college!
Sometimes you get charged for things at college before you get your scholarship checks. Bring your letters with you to the financial aid office so they can help you. If you're <a href="http://e4fc.org/studentresources.html" target="_blank">undocumented</a>, find an ally on campus to help you.
10) Make a friend in financial aid!
Networking and building relationships with helpful financial aid officers will go a long way in helping all students. Don't be shy; reach out today!
Check back next week for Top Ten Tips for Supporting Undocumented Students in the financial aid and college enrollment process. 

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