OHS Financial Aid Events 2022-2023
Financial Aid Information Night - Sept 21st
** Presentation materials:
Financial Aid Completion Event (FAFSA or WAFSA) - Oct 5th
FAFSA Resources:
What is Financial Aid?
For most college students, financial aid makes their higher education possible. In fact, more than eight in 10 undergraduate students attending a four-year universities receive some form of financial aid, and the number is similar for students at two-year colleges.[1]
There are several different kinds of financial aid. Take the time to research your options and determine which work best for you, your family and your college situation.
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. *FAFSA Application Opens Oct 1st, WA is a first come first serve state, apply EARLY!
In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
For a full step-by-step guide on how to fill out the FAFSA click HERE.
The FAFSA Process - Preparing to file, documents needed, submission, and deadlines
Here is a great article from The New York Times - How to Ask a College for More Financial Aid.
Have your circumstances changed since filing the FAFSA/WASFA? Learn about Financial Aid Appeals.
HERE ARE SOME TYPES OF AID TO CONSIDER
Federal Pell Grant
Determined by rules set by Congress, the Federal Pell Grant maximum award was $6,345 for the 2020-21 award year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The Pell Grant is an entitlement program, which means that all students who are eligible will receive a grant award. Typically to be “Pell Eligible,” your EFC must be $4,000 or less. The amount of the grant will be determined by the student need and cost of attendance at a particular school.
Loans
Student loans, unlike grants, work-study and scholarships, must be repaid with interest once you graduate or leave college. An important difference between loans is whether they are subsidized or unsubsidized, which refers to what happens to the interest that accumulates, or accrues, between the time you take out a loan and when you stop attending college.
Simply stated, the interest on a subsidized loan is paid for by the federal government and does not need to be paid back by the student or family, while the interest on an unsubsidized loan is either rolled into the amount borrowed, that is, the principle of the loan, or paid by the student or family while the student attends college. Students with greater financial need are more likely to get subsidized loans than are those with less need.
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Federal Perkins Loans are made available to students through participating colleges at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level. Students must demonstrate financial need and this type of subsidized loan is paid back to the institution the student attends.
- Stafford Loans are made available to students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree. There are two types of Stafford Loans, subsidized and subsidized.
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PLUS Loans are loans that parents can take out to help pay for the cost of their dependent children’s undergraduate education. PLUS Loans maximum amounts are determined by the student’s cost of attendance minus other aid received. The borrower pays all interest.
The U.S. Department of Education has summarized the types of loans available to college student in the Federal Student Loan Programs Fact Sheet.
Federal Work Study
This is a program which allows a student to obtain a job as part of the financial aid package. Work study jobs will pay at least minimum wage and are funded with either federal or state money. Wages earned through the Work Study program do not figure in to student income for the following year’s financial aid analysis, but may be subject to income taxes.
Scholarships
Scholarships are grants-in-aid money that do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded by colleges for outstanding academic achievement, through private organizations, local fraternal groups or clubs, and other community organizations. All students, not just seniors, are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they are eligible. Check the scholarship listings in Naviance, check out scholarship books from the College and Career Readiness Center (or your local library), visit the suggested websites on the scholarship webpage, and be sure to apply for your school’s scholarship application.
College Bound Scholarship
The College Bound Scholarship was established by the Legislature in 2007. The purpose of the program is to provide state funded financial aid to low-income students who may not consider college a possibility because of the cost. Eligibility for the scholarship is a two part process.
First, students whose families are income-eligible must submit a complete application during grade 7 or 8, and no later than June 30 of their eighth grade year. Second, students must complete the scholarship pledge requirements and meet income-eligibility guidelines as determined by colleges using data from the student’s FAFSA or WASFA in their senior year of high school.
*The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public colleges), some fees, and a small book allowance.
More information can be found by clicking here.
Washington College Grant
The new, nationally recognized Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) makes education and training beyond high school affordable. More families are eligible, and more programs and types of credentials are included.
For 2019-20, eligible students had a household income less than 70 percent of the state's median family income (MFI). Beginning in 2020-21, more low- and middle-income families will qualify. An eligible student from a family of four making around $50,000 or less per year would receive a full award. Partial grants are available for families making up to the state’s median family income, around $97,000 per year.
The program will also expand to provide support for apprenticeships. You will be considered for the WA College Grant after completing the FAFSA.
Other Forms of Financial Aid
One of the best sources of financial aid is the college you plan to attend. Do not be afraid to contact the financial aid officer to inquire about college costs and possible forms of aid. When you receive an aid package, keep in mind that the award was put together to give all applicants the best chance of meeting each individual’s need.
The offers will always vary from school to school. You should not look to compare the aid package dollar for dollar because each college has a different pool of money to work with and different considerations. Use the information to make the best decision for you and your family.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program provides students in the western states the opportunity to enroll in many two-year and four-year college programs at a reduced tuition equal to 150% of the college’s resident tuition. Students interested in the WUE program should apply for admission directly to the institution to be considered for the WUE program.
Eligibility requirements for WUE vary across institutions, and not all public college and universities in the WUE region offer WUE scholarships. The following states are participants in the WUE program: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Almost all undergraduate programs are available to a WUE student, however some colleges may designate only certain fields of study.
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Resources
These resources will help you with completing financial aid and admissions applications.
ARCHIVED WEBINARS & EVENT PRESENTATIONS:
FINANCING YOUR FUTURE BY MRS. BOELTS
Recorded on September 21, 2020
Webinar from Seattle U: Understanding the Financial Aid Letter