Matthew 7:7 Principal

1. Matthew 7:7 Principal ASK and it will be given to you; SEEK and you will find; KNOCK and the door will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7

2. ASK Why do you want to go to college? • The next step after high school • Your parents want you to go • Your desired career requires a college degree • You heard it’s really fun and you want to meet a lot of new people (husband, wife) • To increase your earning potential

3. Ask the right questions! • Student Culture • Institutional Size • Location • Learning Environment • Cost

4. SEEKout your admissions counselor! A.R.T.S Application (online or hard copy) Recommendation (letters from a teacher, guidance counselor, high school administrator, or pastor) Transcript (college prep curriculum or higher with at least a 2.5 GPA) Scores (20 ACT, 1000 SAT)

5. KNOCKon doors • Athletics • Campus Ministries: • Theater: • Music: • Business: • Education: • Art: • Concerned about acceptance: Admissions • Worried about paying for AU: Financial Aid

6. What is Financial Aid? • Financial aid provides funds to students and families to help pay for college expenses • Financial Aid ensures a consistent and equitable evaluation of a family’s financial circumstances.

7. What is Financial Need? • Financial need is the difference between educational expenses and the amount the student and family are expected to pay. • Total educational expenses are usually called the cost of attendance. • The amount the student and family are expected to pay is called the expected family contribution (EFC). • NOTE: The cost of attendance is different at each school, but the EFC remains the same.

8. What Is Included In The Cost Of Attendance? • Tuition and Fees • Books and Supplies • Room and Board • Miscellaneous Expenses • (Transportation, Personal, etc.)

9. The equation for determining financial need is: COA - EFC ____________ = FINANCIAL NEED

10. Student Financial Aid Includes • Gift Aid • Merit Based • Scholarships • Grants • Need Based • Scholarships • Grants • Self-help • Employment • Loans

11. Please Remember • Scholarships --- Free money— --Usually based on merit --Does NOT need to be repaid. • Grants – Free Money -- Usually based on need -- Does NOT need to be repaid.

12. Merit Based Aid – Institutional • Academic Scholarships – Qualifications vary. Determined by, but not limited to: • High School GPA • ACT Scores • SAT Scores • Interviews • Athletic Scholarships – Determined by coaches. • Talent Scholarships – Drama, music, etc. Determined by audition. Institutional aid is determined individually by each college or university.

13. www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org

14. www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org • Select “State Grants, Scholarships & Applications” and click on “Apply Here” at the website listed above. • The application gives the Florida Department of Education permission to evaluate your high school transcript and test scores for eligibility for state scholarships and grants, including a Bright Futures Scholarship.

15. Federal Grants

16. Federal Grant Programs Based on Need for Financial Aid (2010-2011 Annual Amounts)

17. Federal Financial Aid (Cont.)

18. Federal Financial Aid (Cont.)

19. Federal Grants(Criteria for each scholarship must be met.)

20. Stafford Student Loans • Low interest Federal loan program • FAFSA must to be completed • Two types of Stafford loans • Subsidized (government pays the interest while student is in school) • Unsubsidized (student is responsible for interest while in school) • Interest rate is 5.60% Subsidized and 6.80% Unsubsidized • (Rates effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010) • Repayment begins 6 months after graduation • Shop around – some lenders offer better incentives • Up to 10 years to repay

21. Stafford Student, Parent, Alternative Loans Help pay for educational expenses with student loans Begin repayment after education is finished Borrow only what is really needed Look at student loans as an investment in the future

22. PLUS Loans (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student) • Low interest Federal loan (Fixed Rate equal to the 91-day T-Bill + 3.10% not to exceed 9.00%) • Payments begin 60 days from the second loan disbursement • Up to 10 years to repay

23. Federal College Work Study • FAFSA must be completed • Part-time jobs on campus • Part-time jobs off campus • America Reads/America Counts • Community Service

24. Self Help – Outside Scholarships For scholarship information contact your high school, your church, local companies, and civic organizations. Some good Internet websites: • www.finaid.com • www.fastweb.com • www.wiredscholar.com

25. Completing the FAFSA • Apply, even if you think you will not qualify. • Read all instructions carefully and ask questions. • Keep copies of everything. • Meet all deadlines.

26. FAFSA on the Web • The student and one (1) parent can apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov, which allows you to sign the FAFSA electronically. • The FAFSA can be filed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

27. FAFSA on the Web • What you need to file the FAFSA • Student’s Social Security and driver’s license numbers • Parent’s and student’s completed Federal 1040 Income Tax Form. (You do not have to file the tax return before completing the FAFSA.) • Parent’s and student’s asset information.

28. Where can I get more information on Student Aid? • Financial Aid Office at the school you plan to attend • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.students.gov • www.fastweb.com • Federal Student Aid Information Center 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) • Your high school counselor’s office • Your local library’s reference section • Foundations, religious organizations, community organizations, civic groups, and parent’s employers or unions

29. CAUTION! • Avoid being charged a fee to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Completion and processing of the FAFSA are FREE • If filing via FAFSA on the Web, be sure to go directly to www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.fafsa.gov.

30. ERRORS can be COSTLY! Errors on the FAFSA or supplemental forms may DELAY application processing and result in the LOSS of financial aid funds. Read the instructions and complete all forms carefully!

31. Technology 40

33. For enhanced security, the Virtual Keyboard icon is available on the Student’s Social Security Number and Student’s Date of Birth fields. • The Virtual Keyboard will display when the student selects the icon next to the question and will disappear when the student selects the icon again.

34. The first three dependency status questions are pre-filled based on answers the student provided earlier in the application.

35. Error messages are shown in a RED box at the top of the page and lists multiple errors at one time. • The error graphic is also shown next to each question that will need to be answered or corrected.

36. Pages that contain only parental questions are now PURPLE. • Basic demographic information for the parents is collected on the Parent Demographic Information page.

37. If the parent indicates “Not going to file” for the 2009 IRS income tax return, they are presented the earned income and dislocated worker questions. • The Adjusted Gross Income question is not presented because the parent indicated they will not file a tax return.

38. If the student selects the “View or Print your FAFSA information” link at the top of the Sign & Submit page, their information will display in this format.

39. The confirmation number will contain the student’s randomly generated identification number. This will replace the student’s current confirmation number which is composed of their Social Security Number and first two letters of their last name.

40. Contact Information: Becky Pressley Director of Financial Aid Anderson University (864) 231-2073 bpressley@andersonuniversity.edu