This document summarizes a presentation about paying for college. It discusses various financial aid options like scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. It highlights two Utah scholarships - the New Century Scholarship that encourages earning an associate's degree in high school, and the Regents' Scholarship which is based on completing a core academic program. The presentation provides timelines and requirements for these scholarships. It also discusses improvements to the FAFSA application process including using IRS data, clearer online guidance, and more details in financial aid award reports.

1. ACT Conference Paying for college: from zero to heroPresented ByStephen Rogers

2. Who Am I?Steve Rogers manages outreach for the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA)

3. People with a bachelor’s degree account for less than 12% of unemployment claims filed. Utah Department of Workforce Services Profiling Job Loss Through Initial Unemployment Claims July/August 2009

5. UHEAA’s Mission… to inform, educate, guide, and assist all students and parents with making informed decisions about preparing,participating,completing,andpaying for Higher Education in Utah, with a priority and emphasis in serving low-income, first generational, and ethnic minority students.What is College Goal Utah?Adapted from NASFAA’s College Goal Sunday1989, Indiana Student Financial Aid AssociationAssist students with financial aid preparation and eligibilityFunded by Lumina FoundationPrivate educational research firm, Indiana3 year grant cycleTarget = Low Income & Non-Traditional StudentsFAFSA CompletionStaffed by financial aid professionalsSunday after Super Bowl, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.This day/time can be modified for Utah35 states participated in 2008

6. CollegeGoalUtah ConceptIdentify Utah High Schools Demonstrating – Location (need)Size: High Volume of Seniors25-50% FRLR, lower SESUnder-represented, rural, high minorityNavajo Reservation State wide effort

7. College Goal Utah ModelHigh School CoordinationPrincipal, Counselors, Financial Literacy TeachersSchedule Classroom TimeFinancial Literacy CoursesGeneral Financial Aid Overview & FAFSAAdvertise College Goal Utah Nights with PostcardComputer Space & Ensuring Coverage (CGU Nights)Train counselors & financial literacy teachers, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.Assist students with FAFSA completion, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.CGU Dates Early February - April

8. What to Bring on CGU Night?Don’t be afraid to bring your friends, a league of experts is there to help

9. We need to prepare and makeUse of the strengths these new Faces will bring to our state.SOURCE: WICHE, Knocking on the College Door, 2008

10. Are Students Applying Under Current Model? Percentage of low-income students completing the FAFSA has increasedIn 1999-2000, 57% of low-income undergraduates appliedIn 2007-08, 68% of low-income undergraduates appliedBut because the overall numbers of students has also grown, we have lost ground In 1999-2000, 3.3 million low-income undergraduates did not applyIn 2007-08, 3.6 million low-income undergraduates did not applySource: OPE Analysis of National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS 2008, 2004, 1999, and 1995)

11. College Goal Utah’s Goals & Objectives1) Compliancewith Federal Financial Aid Regulations2) Increase early awareness & preparation of financial aid programs3) Implementation of college and financial aid evenings, including regional FAFSA workshops.4) Development of Utah high school and college partnerships.5) Promote Utah Futures & FAFSA Completion.6) Provide ongoing professional development for middle and high school counselors7) Build & maintain business and education partnerships working towards increasing the college going rate.

12. Financial Aid 411

13. Types of Aid Work-studyGrantsScholarshipsStudent LoansSavings

14. ScholarshipsInstitutional Merit Leadership Diversity Academic DepartmentPrivate Community Service Heritage Interest/hobby basedEmployer

15. DeadlineApplication Essay Letters of recommendation Save outstanding writing assignments!Preparing for Scholarships

16. Follow the directionsTailor your essay to the scholarshipBe yourself, and be memorable Write about something you care aboutGive examples Be honestSpelling & grammar check (have two readers)Scholarship Essays

17. ACT efforts Get to know your recruiterGet involvedSearch beyond institutions Deadlines! Convince the committee that you’re the perfect fit Show your plan for success Demonstrate your financial backup planEight Tips from the Experts

18. Institutional Ambassador Programs Resident Advisor AmeriCorps Fastweb.comUtahFutures.orgCollege.ed.govOther Scholarship Resources

19. April 21, 2010

20. New Century Scholarship- OverviewMarch 201121PurposeThis scholarship encourages students to accelerate their education by earning an Associate’s degree while in high schoolBackgroundCreated in 1999Initiated by former Governor Leavitt In the 12th year award cycle

21. New Century — Program RequirementsMarch 201122Application Deadline has Passed 2011 Applicants must:Earn Associate’s degree by the date of high school graduationEarn a minimum 3.0 college GPAAchieve a minimum high school GPA of a 3.5Home School StudentMust earn an ACT Score of 26 or higher, score submitted by June 15Verify they have no criminal recordMeet Citizenship requirement

22. New Century — Application TimelineMarch 201123Application Timeline for 2011 High School Graduates

23. Regents’ Scholarship - Overview24Established in 2008

24. Based on nationally-recognized foundational core designed to help students prepare for college academically and financiallyFact: Students can qualify for 1, 2, or 3 of the awards. For example a student can qualify for the Base award only, Base and UESP, Base and Exemplary, or Base, Exemplary and UESP.Regents’ Scholarship

25. Regents’ — Application Timeline25A complete application file consists of: The application itself which is submitted online (2011 Deadline Passed)Supporting documents which must provide evidence of what the student reported on the online application is true and accurate--these documents are mailedNote: All deadlines are postmarked deadlines unless otherwise stated.

26. Scholarship Funding March 201126Award Levels for 2011-2012 College Academic yearThe Regents’ Scholarship Base award will be a $1,000 one-time payment;

27. The New Century Scholarship award and Regents’ Scholarship Exemplary Academic Achievement award will be aflat dollar amount of $1250 per semester and issubject to the student renewing it each semester and the flat rate will be applied to all scholarship participants; and

28. The Regents’ Scholarship Utah Educational Savings Plan award is subject to contributions to your UESP trust account and is a one-time payment. The Award amounts are determined on an annual basis and are subject to legislative funding and number of qualified participants. Therefore, award amounts may be reduced, may vary from year to year, and are dependent on when the recipient is enrolled in college. Funding levels beyond Spring of 2012 are unknown and the award amounts will be determined in April of each year. However, the maximum New Century award and the Regents’ Scholarship Exemplary Academic Achievement award amount that a student may receive is $1250 per semester.

29. Things to Consider…March 201127Student should look to ALL financial aid opportunitiesIf possible diversify, rather than relying on oneOther Financial Aid OptionsSaving for College through the Utah Educational Savings Plan programWork while attending schoolPrivate Scholarships/grants --visit UtahFutures.orgFederal Financial AidLoans, Grants and Work Study

30. Where to Find Scholarships InformationTo access the scholarship informationHigheredutah.orgClick on “Scholarships”Click on the specific program that you want to access28

31. Scholarship Contact InformationMarch 201129New Centurynewcentury@utahsbr.edu801-321-7221Regents’ Scholarshipregentsscholarship@utahsbr.edu801-321-7294 (students and parents)801-321-7159 (school personnel)

32. In the Face of Overwhelming Odds…

33. Process ImprovementsUse of newer, state of the art Web technology – Web 2.0

34. Populate with data directly from the IRS

35. Increased use of ‘skip-logic’

36. Provide applicant with types and amounts of aid likely to receive

37. Working with states and schoolsTechnologyStatus indicators will guide applicants through web modules (e.g., student demographics, basic eligibility, dependency status). Student and parent sections of the application will be more clearly identified.Dynamic question labels, help text and instructions based on applicant profile (e.g., marital status, responses to tax filing status, type of tax return filed).

38. Technology2010-11 design facilitated by technology upgrade Updated navigation reduces the number of pages and length of the applicationDisplay of help text and instructions will be enhanced by:use of field instructionsflyover textmodal boxes

39. Technology

40. Technology

41. IRS Data SharePopulate with IRS Data

42. No taxpayer consent needed because data is not released to a third party.

43. While in FAFSA on the Web, applicant (tax filer) submits a real-time request to IRS.

44. IRS sends real-time results to applicant (taxpayer) in new window.

45. Applicant (tax filer) transfers data to FAFSA on the Web. Results ReportingStudents will receive more detailed information on their FAFSA on the web confirmation page and Student Aid Report (SAR) An estimate of the Pell Grant award amount

46. An indication of student loan eligibility

47. Links to College Navigator for detailed information about the institutions selected:Programs offered, Tuition and fees, Graduation rates, etc. 37

48. Notable NewsEasy to remember web address:www.fafsa.gov (never access fafsa.com)PIN web address is still:www.pin.ed.gov (real time PIN for applicants)

49. WHAT IS NEW FOR 2011 FAFSA APPLICANTS – RECAPNew, streamlined application facilitated by technology upgradeReduced screens for applicants to fill out 22 questions are eliminated (improved skip logic)17 web screens are eliminatedAccess to information about schools and states where they apply

50. RECAP – Continued…Improved Student Aid Report (SAR) will contain:Will receive more detailed information on SAREstimate Pell grant Indicate loan eligibilityLinks to colleges to see:Programs offeredTuition and feesGraduation rates, etc.

51. Pell

52. FSEOG

53. LEAP

54. TEACH

55. UCOPEGrants (2011-2012 School Year)

56. Possible reduction in maximum award amount $5,550 - $845 = $4705Possible changes to year-round grant Pell Uncertainty

57. Work-Study Work on or off of campusFlexible work scheduleWhat you earn won’t count against you for next year’s financial aidHave to apply Competitive

58. Student LoansFederal Loan ProgramsStafford LoanPLUS LoanPerkinsPrivate/Alternative Loans

59. Other Federal Aid Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program Corporation for National and Community Service U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Grants Vocational rehabilitation benefits U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)