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Demystifying the

Financial Aid Process

Presented by:

The NHHEAF Network Organizations’ Center for College Planning

Welcome! My name is ____________ and I am a College Outreach Specialist with the Center for College Planning.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Center for College Planning, we are a non-profit organization established in 1997. Our mission is to provide NH students and families with FREE, valuable, and accurate information about the college admissions and financial aid processes. We do this in a variety of ways. We offer college planning presentations, such as this one, in-house in our Concord office and throughout the state in elementary, middle and high schools as well as community-based organizations. One-on-one counseling appointments are also offered in our Concord office to work with students through the college planning process, help student athletes with recruitment practices and assist families in completing the FAFSA form.

To speak with one of our College Counselors about anything related to the admissions or financial aid process you can call us at (800) 525-2577 ext. 119 or e-mail us at collegeplanning@nhheaf.org.

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What is Financial Aid?

Money to help students pay for post-secondary education

Some may be free money in the form of grants and/or scholarships

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant
Scholarship and/or grants from the institution

Some will be in the form of loans and/or work-study

Federal Direct Loan
Federal work-study offered by the institution

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NH Federal Financial Aid Breakdown

Academic year 2017-2018*

Pell grant $124,045,099
FSEOG $5,138,383
Work-study $5,997,065
Federal Direct Loans

Subsidized $240,952,958
Unsubsidized $309,475,279

*Does not include funds from the state of NH including: UNIQUE Scholarship Program or Governor’s Scholarship (program not available during this academic year), or from funds given by the NH institutions

Source: National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

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Who Qualifies for Financial Aid?

EVERYONE, regardless of financial ability to pay for post-secondary education
All students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
Some students may need to complete the College Board’s CSS Profile form

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When Are the Deadlines?

Every college has their own deadline
Common deadlines are:

4 - year colleges – November 1 or December 1 for Early Action and Early Decision students, March 1^st for regular and rolling admission
2 - year colleges – a few weeks before the semester begins

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Completing the FAFSA & CSS Profile

Completing the FAFSA:

Visit Fafsa.gov

Computer
Mobile device

myStudentAid app
Free to file

Completing the CSS Profile:

Visit Cssprofile.org
Cost is $25 to submit to one college, $16 per additional college - waivers may be available based on financial circumstances

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Common Financial Aid Myths

“My parents say that because I am 18 years old, they do not need to provide financial information on the FAFSA. Because they won’t help complete it, I am ineligible for all financial aid.”
“My parents are not required to file taxes because their only income is social security. So I can’t file a FAFSA.”
“My parents have not filed taxes in several years, therefore I cannot file a FAFSA.”
“We can’t find our tax returns, so I can’t complete the FAFSA.”

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Common Financial Aid Myths

“My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for any financial aid. There is no point in filing the FAFSA.”
“My mom or dad is married to someone other than my other biological parent. My step-parent does not want to provide tax information because they think they will be obligated to pay for school. So I’m not going to file one.”
“I can’t file the FAFSA until after I’ve been accepted to schools, so I’m waiting.”
“One or both of my parents are not U.S. citizens, so I can’t file the FAFSA.”

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Federal Direct Loan Limits

Year in College	Max Amount for DEPENDENT Students (per year)	Max Amount for INDEPENDENT Students (per year)
Freshman	$5,500	$9,500
Sophomore	$6,500	$10,500
Junior	$7,500	$12,500
Senior	$7,500	$12,500
Four Year Totals:	$27,000	$45,000

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Granite Guarantee

Granite Guarantee

Student must be Pell grant eligible
Must be accepted at Keene State College, Plymouth State University or UNH Durham or Manchester
Free tuition (does not include fees or room and board)
To continue receiving in subsequent years, student must remain Pell eligible

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Governor’s Scholarship

Governor’s Scholarship

Student must be Pell grant eligible

May receive up to $1000, to attend a NH college or university
If student graduates high school as a NH Scholar, eligible to receive an additional $1000, grant per year

If student is no longer Pell eligible after 1^st year of college, still keeps the $2000, or $1000 award
The scholarship is non-transferable to other colleges
For more information, visit https://www.nh.gov/osi/special-projects/index.htm

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NH Charitable Foundation

Two scholarship programs:

Statewide Student Aid Program

Students enrolling in a four- year degree program
Applications available 2/1; 4/12 deadline

Career Aid to Technical Students Program

Students enrolling in a two- year degree
Application available 2/1; 6/14 deadline

Medallion Fund

Geared to learners training in the trades, or pursuing certifications in emerging technical sectors and other high-growth occupations in demand by NH employers
Help cover costs for certificates, licensing, apprenticeships and two-year college degrees

Visit nhcf.org for more information

Check with your School Counseling Office for any opportunities available in your community

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Options for Funding

Current income and savings

Tuition payment plan

Federal/Direct PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student)

7.59% fixed interest rate;
4.248% origination fee

Private (alternative) student loan

- State-sponsored programs

- Banks and credit unions

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Center for College Planning

FREE appointment to complete the FAFSA

Call 888.747.2382, ext. 119
Office located in Concord, NH

FREE appointment to discuss college financial aid award packages and funding options

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QUESTIONS?

Center for College Planning

888.747.2382, x119

collegeplanning@nhheaf.org