March ASAP Group Advisement PPT Topcis include: Reminders, Financial Aid 101 and Cover Letter presentations

1. ASAP GROUP
ADVISEMENT
MARCH 2015 (FALL SESSION II)

2. IMPORTANT
REMINDERS
• First Day of Class for Spring Session I is March 4th
• March 2nd - March 5th NO ASAP Seminar Classes
• (ASP-1) will begin the week of March 9th
• TEXTBOOK PICK UP – March 3rd – March 20th
• LaGuardia ID’s/Semester Stickers- NOW (you’ll need this for
metro card pickup) C-101
• Monday March 9th- Last day to add a course or make schedule
changes/ASAP Seminar begins for C8 students
• March 21st- Withdrawal Period begins. Grade of W will be given
for any classes dropped after March 21
• March 29th- Students MUST use Metro Card by 3/29 as MTA rate
hikes take effect
• April 3rd- April 11th- Spring Break, No classes

3. FREE TAX PREPARATION
@ SINGLE STOP
Single Stop is offering free Tax Preparation to all LaGuardia students (matric
and non-degree) and their family members starting Monday, January 26,
2015. Visit Room C109, and bring the following:
• Photo ID and social security cards for everyone to be listed on return
• W-2 forms for each job
• If claiming childcare expenses, documentation & provider’s tax ID, and any
other tax-related documentation you have received (i.e. 1099).
• Tax Preparers Hours - Monday & Thursday 10am - 6pm; Tuesday &
Wednesday 10m - 5pm.
• For more information call (718) 482-5135 or email singlestop@lagcc.cuny.edu.

4. FUTURE EVENTS SURVEY
http://tinyurl.com/m3yczht

5. RESULTS AS OF
02/24/2015
http://tinyurl.com/m3yczht

8. FINANCIAL AID 101
• Perceptions of the Financial Aid Process
• Common Challenges
• ASAP and Financial Aid: How does it work?
• How to Apply for Financial Aid
• Financial Aid at the 4 year school and beyond
• Understanding Student Loans
• Good credit vs. Bad credit
• Types of Loans
• Is the investment worth it?
• Wrap up and Discussion

9. WHAT ARE YOUR
THOUGHTS ON
FINANCIAL AID?
• How do you feel
about the process?
• Is it complicated?
• What are some of
the challenges
you’ve had with
FAFSA/Fin Aid?
• What comes to
mind when
mentioning
“Student Loans?”

10. Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA)
www.fafsa.ed.gov
New York State Tuition
Assistance Program
Application (TAP)
https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/
totw/
Institutional Scholarships
and Grants
3rd Party Scholarships and
Grants (ask LAVIE!!!)
HOW TO APPLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID

11. COMMON
CHALLENGES
• Locating
PIN/Logging into
FAFSA site
• Selection for
“Verification”
• Filing your taxes
• Getting Parental
tax information
• Applying for TAP
• Correcting Errors
on the FAFSA
• Leaving a field
blank on the
FAFSA
application
• Understanding
Refund
distribution dates
• Understanding
“Independent
Status”

12. ASAP AND FINANCIAL AID: HOW
DOES THE TUITION WAIVER REALLY
WORK?
• Students must be a New York City Resident and/or eligible
for in-state tuition
• Students must apply for, and receive at least $1.00 in PELL
or TAP monies (Federal/State Aid) to be eligible for an
ASAP Tuition Waiver
• If eligible, any tuition NOT covered by financial aid will be
paid for by ASAP (see above)
• Prior balances are NOT covered by ASAP. Ex- Balances
owed before a student has started in ASAP.
• Tuition Waivers are generally applied at the end of each
semester.

13. FINANCIAL AID AT THE
BACHELOR/MASTER’S
LEVEL
WHAT YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• ASAP does not
currently exist at CUNY
4 year institutions
(although that may
change)
• 4 year schools are
typically MUCH more
expensive than
community colleges.
Tuition may exceed Pell
and TAP awards
• Federal Grant monies
may NOT be available at
the Graduate level
(Masters/PhD)
LIKELY SCENARIOS
AT THE 4 YEAR
SCHOOL
Federal Financial Aid (Pell/Federal
Work Study)
+
State Aid (NY=TAP)
+
Institutional Grants/Scholarships
(3rd party included if you’re eligible)
+
Federal Student Loans
+
**Private Loans (if need be)

14. SAY WHAT? STUDENT LOANS?

15. WHAT YOU NEED TO
KNOW
• Student Loans are a type of “Good Credit”.
• Student Loans/Home/Mortgage- Good type of credit (appreciating
asset/low interest rates)
• Credit cards/Auto Loans=Bad type of credit (depreciating assets/high
interest rates).
• Student loans may be a necessity for your Bachelor’s and Master’s/PhD
degrees
• Student loans typically have Historically LOW INTEREST RATES, often
well below the national prime rate regardless of credit score
• You don’t necessarily need to have good credit to be eligible for Federal
Student Loans
• Some loans may NOT incur interest while you are in school (Subsidized)
• Student Loans are typically paid back over a long period of time, and are
flexible in terms of payment options (deferrable during economic duress)
• There are many student loan payment programs including INCOME
BASED REPAYMENT and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs

16. TYPES OF STUDENT
LOANS
• There are different types of student loans including:
• Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (William D
Ford)- Eligible students may borrow up to 20,500 per school
year. Graduate and professional programs may receive
additional unsubsidized loans.
• Subsidized=No interest accrues while in school
• Unsubsidized=Interest accrues while in school at typically
very low interest rates
• Direct PLUS Loans- Eligible graduate and professional
degree students who need to borrow more than the maximum
unsubsidized loan amounts to meet education costs.
• Federal Perkins Loans- School-based loan program for
eligible students with exceptional financial need. You may
qualify for a Perkins Loan of up to $8,000 each year
depending on financial need

17. IS THE INVESTMENT
WORTH IT?
Typically most students at 4
year/graduate institutions
utilize Student Loans along with
Grants and Scholarships
• It’s important NOT to
borrow more than you
need
• Your career field matters!
Your investment must pay
you back.
• Choose your major/college
carefully!
Understand EVERYTHING.
Educate yourself on the
process of financial aid/student
loans.

18. DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
• Name 2 common
challenges when
applying for
FAFSA/Fin Aid?
• Difference between
Subsidized and
Unsubsidized
student loans?
• Do you have to be a
NYC resident to be
eligible for the
ASAP Tuition
Waiver?
• Name a type of
“Good Credit”
• Name a type of
“Bad Credit”
• Name 1 type of
student loan
program
• Name 2 student
loan repayment
programs
• What does FAFSA
stand for?

19. LAVIE
MARGOLIN
ASAP CES
(CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST)

20. COVERING COVER LETTERS
Creating an Excellent Cover Letter

21. WHAT IS A MARKETING CAMPAIGN?
A specific, defined series of activities used in
marketing a new or changed product or
service,

22. TIPS TO STAND OUT WHEN APPLYING FOR WORK
Before applying for the position, make sure that you are a match for the job
(at
Least an 80% fit for the job requirements), the hours, and the location are a
match for you.
Spend time writing a cover letter that will be appealing to the reader
As opposed to a generic message where you have only changed the name
of
the company and job title. Do your research and emphasize why you are a
fit
for that job as opposed to any job
Paste your cover letter into the body of the email, unless asked to send in
Another format. Always Send a cover letter, even if they do not ask for it

23. WHAT YOUR PRODUCT IS DEPENDS ON YOUR
MARKET
 If you are qualified to do a number of jobs, do I need to
know about all of your skills in your cover letter?
Example: I want to hire a Bookkeeper. You have
interned in an accounting department and worked as
a Sales Clerk. What should you emphasize in your
Cover Letter?

24. WAYS USE A COVER LETTER AND NOT JUST A
LINE OR TWO IN AN EMAIL.
 A generic cover letter is obvious to the employer. Take the time to
explain why you are a fit for the specific position to which you are
applying.
 Use a three paragraph structure:
 I Explains what position you are applying to, where you saw the vacancy
posted (or better yet, who referred you), and why you are qualified. (3
sentences).
 II Discuss your relevant experience, education and qualities fore the
position. Stay on target as to what would be appealing for the reader as
opposed to a life history. (5-6 sentences).
 III Express your strong interest in the opportunity. Explain why they
would be the type of organization for which you would like to work. (2-3
sentences)
 Unless directions state otherwise, paste your cover letter into the body
of the email (and attach your resume in Microsoft Word). There is no
need to write the company address in the body of an email. If you are
directed to mail your cover letter or send it as an attachment, use a
business letter format when doing so.

28. COVER LETTER
#1 Generic: I am writing to apply for the Customer
Service Representative position as posted on
NewYorkjobs.com. Given my prior experience
in customer service, good computer skills and
excellent multitasking abilities, I feel that I would
be a strong fit for this position.
Targeted: Emphasize the three most
important skills they want for this job
“… the hospitality industry, command of
Excel and Access and demonstrated
multitasking abilities,

29. PARAGRAPH #2
Generic: I am a graduate of CUNY LaGuardia
Community College. My work experience includes
security and retail. Supervisors have often described
me as a great team player, highly motivated and
someone they are proud to have on their staff.
Focused: “I recently completed my associate degree
in Psychology at CUNY LaGuardia Community
College. My relevant experience includes an
internship at the Steinway Psychiatric Center
assisting with intake and client referrals. My
internship supervisor described me as a great future
social worker.”

30. PARAGRAPH # 3
Generic: The opportunity to work for
Connect2Communications is appealing to me. I am very
interested in contributing my skills to one of the world’s
largest communication companies. Thank you for taking
the time to review my resume and I look forward to
discussing the position with you at your earliest
convenience.
Focused: What is it about them that peaks your interest?
Show your passion and knowledge in obvious or subtle
ways.
“ I consider myself an ordinary person who helps ordinary
people achieve extraordinary things. I welcome the
opportunity to explore applying my skill set to a top
community college featuring a diverse student body and
staff.

31. PROOOFREEAD
As you change your resume and cover letter
for
every job, it is likely that you will make a typo
here and there.
Carefully proofread your resume with each
revision.

32. LET’S PRACTICE
 Use the “Generic Cover Letter” as your
template
 Find a job in which you would like to apply
via indeed.com (or other resource)
 Begin “tailoring” your cover letter to the job
 I am here until 2pm with questions and to
review!

33. MORE TIME + EFFORT= FASTER SUCCESS
Take the time to target your message
specifically
for every opportunity and you will have greater
success in the end.
Now get out there and market the

34. Career and Employment
Related (CES) Support
How you can receive help when Lavie is on leave

35. What’s going on?
Our CES, Lavie, will be out of the office on an 8 week
leave starting around mid March and returning
around mid May.

36. What to do until then…
Continue to schedule appointments with Lavie as he
is here to help you until his leave starts (and once he
gets back)

37. Who will help me?
Room B-114
Long Island City, NY 11101
P: 718.482.5235
E: career@lagcc.cuny.edu

38. How/when do I start?
A) Once Lavie is out on leave, come to the ASAP front
desk for a referral form.
B) Register for College Central
C) Bring the referral form down to the center in
B114.

40. College Central Network
As a current student you have been pre-registered to use the
Center for Career & Professional Development online job
board/career resource system.
To claim your account:
Go to: www.collegecentral.com/laguardia
Click: “Students”
Click: “Sign In”
Click: "Forgot your Password?"
Enter your CUNYFirst EMPLID in the “Access ID” fieldEnter
your school email address
Click: “Find Registration”
Enter a new password in both fields, then click “Submit”

41. Questions?