Financial Aid for Foster Youth JANUARY 14, 2015 10:00 TO 11:00 A.M.
Information to Participate Call-in number is 1 (702) 489-0008 and access code is 928-441-384. Presentation materials and audio will be posted at: www.thpplus.org To submit live questions, click on the Questions panel, type your question, and click Send
Panelists Jocelyn Vila- Skyline Community College Neyla Parada- Norco College
Why Aren t Foster Youth Getting Financial Aid? Cal Grant Pell Grant All Three
What is Financial Aid? Helps students pay for college and allows them to
Goals of Financial Aid Primary goal is to assist students in paying for college and this is achieved by: Evaluating student s ability to pay educational costs Distributing limited resources in an equitable manner A package of financial aid awards is put together to meet the student s need & may consist of gift aid and/or self-help aid, depending on the student s eligibility
Sources & Types of Aid Where $ Comes From Free Earn Pay Back State Federal Gift Aid (Free) Fee Waiver = FREE Classes! Grants = FREE Money! Scholarships = FREE Money! (California) Government College Organizations & Work (Earn) Work-Study = EARN a paycheck Universities Private Companies Loans (Pay Back) Loans = PAY BACK with interest
Types of Aid For Tuition Name of Grants Cal Grant A/B State University Grant UC Grant Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan income up to $80,000/year Middle Class Scholarship income up to $150,000/year CCC Board of Governors Fee Waiver Covers Tuition Up to $5,472 at CSU Up to $12,240 at UC Up to $9,084 at Private (non-profit) Up to $4,000 at Private (for-profit) Covers full system-wide tuition at CSU Covers full system-wide tuition at UC Covers system wide tuition & fees at UC Assist with part of tuition cost at CSU/UC Waives tuition cost = free classes at CCC Please Note: All grants above pays tuition only. You can only get one of the above listed grants.
Types of Aid Cash Name of Grants Pell Grant Federal SEOG Cal Grant B Access Cal Grant C Institutional Grant Federal Work-Study Direct Student Loans Amount Up to $5,775 Lifetime Eligibility 600% Max Varies Priority to Pell eligible students $1,656 + $600 at CCC for attending full-time Up to $547 at CCC Up to $2,462 at Vocational/Trade Varies On/Off-campus employment (Earn a paycheck) Subsidized: $3,500 - $5,500 (Need based) Unsubsidized: Up to $6,000 Chafee Grant Former Foster Youth may qualify for an additional $5,000/per year!
Cal Grant A Entitlement At Least 3.0 GPA Cal Grant B Entitlement At Least 2.0 GPA Cal Grant C Competitive No Minimum GPA Required H.S. Seniors Recent Grads: Meet all Requirements for Cal A/B = High School Entitlement Award Submit by March 2: FAFSA or Dream Act + GPA Verification (done by High School) WebGrants for Students: https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp
The Big Two: Cal Grant and Pell Grant Up to $12,240* Cal Grant A and B www.csac.ca.gov Up to $5,775 Federal Pell Grant www.fafsa.gov Total = up to $18,015 *Award amounts vary by type of college
The Financial Aid Process Will need to provide college financial aid office with Foster Youth Verification letter from county Student is notified by student portal, email or letter. 1. Submit FAFSA or CA Dream Act 2. Complete File/Verification (Submit Docs) 3. Process Application (Determine Eligibility) 4. Award Notification/Package 5. Disbursement Contact college s foster youth liaison/program (i.e. Guardian Scholars, FYSI Liaison, etc.) Entire process can take 4-6 weeks, so apply early! File FAFSA or Dream Act by the Cal Grant Priority Deadline: March 2 nd Must re-apply every academic year Disbursement option vary depending on college. Generally it will be direct deposit, pre-paid debit card or paper check.
Sample: Foster Youth Verification Letter RE (child s name) : DOB (child s date of birth) : Current Mailing Address: County Contact Number: County Identification Number: Start Date of Wardship: Close Date of Wardship: This letter is to confirm that (child s name) was under the supervision and care of the court until the age of 18 in (county name) County from (dates of care; i.e., DATE to DATE). (Child s name) was placed in out-of-home care in a foster care placement. This means that (child s name) is considered a ward of the court for the purpose of responding to questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial Aid Administrators should be advised that recent or current wards of the court typically have little or no income and for purposes of the FAFSA Application, the federal Verification Guide states that Payments and services received from states for foster care or adoption assistance, under Part A or Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act are not to be reported on Worksheet B of the FAFSA. Signature Date Print Name
Definition of Need Amount student is able to contribute to COA. Generally is based on income, assets, household size, etc. Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Eligibility for Need-Based Aid Total amount it cost to attend college COA includes: Tuition, Housing, Book/Supplies, etc. Need-Based Aid: CAL Grant, Pell Grant, FSEOG, Chafee, Subsidized Loans, BOG Fee Waiver and Scholarships
2015-2016 COA: California State University (CSU) 9-Month Budget (Full-time for Two Semesters) At Home On/Off Campus Tuition/Fees $6,476 $6,476 Books/Supp $1,860 $1,860 Housing/Meals $4,770 $13,434 Trans $1,486 $1,486 Personal $1,392 $1,392 TOTAL $15,984 $24,648 SFSU s 15-16 COA: http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/newcost.html (7 units or greater)
Sample: Typical Award Package (CSU) With Cal Grant B, but without Chafee Grant $26,648 (COA) - $0 (EFC) = $26,648 (Need) Type of Aid Fall Spring Total State University Grant/Cal Grant B $ 2,736.00 $ 2,736.00 $ 5,472.00 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,887.00 $ 2,887.00 $ 5,775.00 Federal SEOG Grant $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Federal Work-Study Grant $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Total Aid (Need-Based) $ 13,647.00 Tuition/Fees - $ (6,476.00) FREE Amount to Student $ 7,171.00 $$$ If needed, student may request the below loans: Subsidized Loan: up to $3,500/year Un-subsidized Loan: up to $6,000/year Total: up to $9,500/year ** This assumes student applies on-time by March 2 nd, CA resident, and is at the freshman level.
Sample: Typical Award Package (CSU) With Cal Grant B and With Chafee Grant $26,648 (COA) - $0 (EFC) = $26,648 (Need) Type of Aid Fall Spring Total State University Grant/Cal Grant B $ 2,736.00 $ 2,736.00 $ 5,472.00 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,887.00 $ 2,887.00 $ 5,775.00 Federal SEOG Grant $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Federal Work-Study Grant $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Chafee Grant $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 5,000.00 Total Aid (Need-Based) $ 18,647.00 Tuition/Fees - $ (6,476.00) Amount to Student FREE $ 12,171.00 $$$ If needed, student may request the below loans: Subsidized Loan: up to $3,500/year Un-subsidized Loan: up to $6,000/year Total: up to $9,500/year ** This assumes student applies on-time by March 2 nd, CA resident, and is at the freshman level.
2015-16 COA: California Community College (CCC) 9-Month Budget (Full-time for Two Semesters) At Home Off Campus Enrollment Fees/Tuition $1,104 $1,104 Health Services/Student Body Fees $70 $70 Books/Supp $1,764 $1,764 Room/Board $4,770 $11,970 Trans $1,126 $1,270 Misc. Personal $3,160 $2,898 TOTAL $11,994 $19,076
Sample: Typical Award Package (CCC) Without Cal Grant B, but without Chafee Grant $19,076 (COA) - $0 (EFC) = $19,076 (Need) Type of Aid Fall Spring Total BOG Fee Waiver (non-cash aid) $ 552.00 $ 552.00 $0.00 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,887.00 $ 2,887.00 $ 5,775.00 Federal SEOG Grant $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Federal Work-Study Grant $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Total Aid (Need-Based) $ 8,175 Amount to Student FREE $ 8,175.00 $$$ If needed, student may request the below loans: Subsidized Loan: up to $3,500/year Un-subsidized Loan: up to $6,000/year Total: up to $9,500/year ** This assumes student applies on-time by March 2 nd, CA resident, and is at the freshman level.
Sample: Typical Award Package (CCC) With Cal Grant B, but without Chafee Grant $19,076 (COA) - $0 (EFC) = $19,076 (Need) Type of Aid Fall Spring Total BOG Fee Waiver (non-cash aid) $ 552.00 $ 552.00 $ 0.00 (waived) Cal Grant B (Access) $ 828.00 $ 828.00 $ 1,656.00 Cal Grant B (Full-time at CCC) $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 600.00 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,887.00 $ 2,887.00 $ 5,775.00 Federal SEOG Grant $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Federal Work-Study Grant $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Total Aid (Need-Based) $ 10,431.00 Amount to Student FREE $ 10,431.00 $$$ If needed, student may request the below loans: Subsidized Loan: up to $3,500/year Un-subsidized Loan: up to $6,000/year Total: up to $9,500/year ** This assumes student applies on-time by March 2 nd, CA resident, and is at the freshman level.
Sample: Typical Award Package (CCC) With Chafee Grant and Cal Grant B $19,076 (COA) - $0 (EFC) = $19,076 (Need) Type of Aid Fall Spring Total BOG Fee Waiver (non-cash aid) $ 552.00 $ 552.00 $ 0.00 Cal Grant B (Access) $ 828.00 $ 828.00 $ 1,656.00 Cal Grant B (Full-time at CCC) $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 600.00 Federal Pell Grant $ 2,887.00 $ 2,887.00 $ 5,775.00 Federal SEOG Grant $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 400.00 Federal Work-Study Grant $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Chafee Grant $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 5,000.00 Total Aid (Need-Based) $ 15,431.00 Amount to Student FREE $$$ $ 15,431.00 If needed, student may request the below loans: Subsidized Loan: up to $3,500/year Un-subsidized Loan: up to $6,000/year Total: up to $9,500/year ** This assumes student applies on-time by March 2 nd, CA resident, and is at the freshman level.
How to Apply OR FSA ID: User Name & Password (Student/Parent) www.fafsa.gov (never use.com) California Dream Act: www.dream.csac.ca.gov For Undocumented, AB540 or DACA Students Submit One Application Not Both! Application Will Determine Eligibility for ALL Types of Aid
When to Apply Key Deadlines Do Not Miss March 2nd Deadline! Cal Grants A/B State University Grants (CSU) UC Grants (UC) Middle Class Scholarship (CSU/UC) Chafee Grant (ALL) Submit/Re-new FAFSA or Dream Act every academic year!
1. Go to: www.fafsa.gov 2. Start A New FAFSA or Login 3. Create an FSA ID 4. Email Account Use an email account that you can access NOW. You will be emailed a Secure Code Note: AB540/Undocumented Students Will submit a CA Dream Act not a FAFSA
Submit the Correct FAFSA Between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 START 2016-2017 FAFSA Fall 2016 Submit 2016-2017 Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 START 2015-2016 FAFSA Summer 2016 Submit 2015-2016
Independent Student Definition At least 24 years old Married Graduate or professional student Veteran of the U.S. armed forces Has children or dependents (other than a spouse) for whom the student provides more than half support Orphan or ward/dependent of the court or foster care after age 13, etc.;
Section 3 Dependency Status All Foster Youth in THP-Plus = Independent For financial aid purposes Do Not include info/income for: Biological parents, foster parents, grandparents/relatives or legal guardians
California Student Aid Commission Chafee Grant Program This is a federally funded program administered through the California Student Aid Commission. Gives up to $5000 to eligible former foster youth to use for career and technical training or college courses at California Community Colleges, Cal State Universities and University of California campuses, etc. Application for 2016-17 is now available on-line at: www.chafee.csac.ca.gov
Chafee Grant Program: Eligibility Requirements To qualify for the Chafee Grant, student must meet the following criteria: Be a current or former foster youth Have established court dependency at anytime between the ages of 16-18 Not have reached their 22 nd birthday as of July 1 st of the award year Kin-Gap youth, adopted youth, guardian placement, and voluntary placement may not be eligible for the Chafee Grant, unless court dependence was established, at anytime, between the ages of 16-18 The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will determine foster youth eligibility status Students can check Chafee Grant status online at: WebGrants 4 Students account: https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/ All Chafee eligible students are former foster youth, but not all former foster youth are Chafee eligible!
WebGrants 4 Students: Chafee Application Status
Chafee Grant: Application Process
Chafee Grant: What Happens After I Apply?
Chafee Grant: Awarding Process
Chafee Grant: Receiving & Renewing Chafee Funds
Questions or Comments? Jocelyn Vila- Skyline Community College vilaj@smccd.edu Neyla Parada- Norco College Nelya.Parada@norcocollege.edu