Money Talk Monday
Financial Aid Newsletter - January 16, 2017
“Money Talk Monday” - your bi-weekly guide for financial aid information.
Check your Crosby Scholars student portal every Monday evening for updates in financial aid resources and Crosby Scholars Program scholarships.
In each issue we will present new ideas and discussions on financial aid and announce a new Crosby Scholars Program scholarship.
In this edition of Money Talk Monday, the following topics will be addressed:
· Financial Aid Basics
· Financial Aid Eligibility
· FSA ID Information
· Mock Interviews
· Need help filling out the FAFSA?
· Wake Forest University/Crosby Scholars Program Scholarship Opportunity
· CSA #8E & CSA #19
Financial Aid Basics
· The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has been available to complete since October 1, 2016 for the 2017-2018 academic year
· Use 2015 Federal Tax information to complete the FAFSA
· Not sure what college you will attend? No Problem! List any potential colleges on your FAFSA—you do not have to be admitted before your apply for financial aid.
· To complete and submit the FAFSA, go to fafsa.ed.gov and select start a new FAFSA.
· Click the link “FSA ID” at the top of the page to set up IDs for you and your parent. (You use them to sign the FAFSA electronically.) Be sure to write them down and keep them in a safe place.
· Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import tax info into the FAFSA. It is safe, easy and increases accuracy.
· Be sure to visit the financial aid page of each college’s website that you are interested in to confirm its financial aid filing priority deadline and forms required.
· Student financial aid forms required may include: FAFSA, CSS Financial Aid Profile, or Institution forms used by individual college.
· After your FAFSA is processed, you will be notified by email if you entered an email address on your FAFSA that your SAR (Student Aid Report) is available for your review. Be sure to review it for accuracy.
· Colleges you are admitted to will create an “award letter” listing aid you are eligible for. This letter may be mailed to you or posted in the college portal you created when you applied for admission.
· The priority deadline for many schools is March 1, 2017—confirm this deadline for each school on your target list
· Aid can consist of grants, work study, and loans.
· Financial aid applications and scholarships: SHOULD NEVER COST MONEY TO APPLY
· If you need personal assistance, schedule a meeting with the Financial Aid Advisor, Coe Ann Trent. Email: ctrent@crosbyscholars.org
Financial Aid Eligibilty– Should you apply?
YES! – Each family’s situation is unique and will be considered individually. The information you submit is treated confidentially. So even if you think you will just qualify for loans, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid). There may be aid available that you do not know about, but that requires FAFSA completion.
To be eligible to receive federal student aid, you must:
· Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States
· Have a valid social security number
· Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed homeschooling
· Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate
· Maintain satisfactory academic progress while in college
· Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan
· Not have a conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while
you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, work-study, or loans) - if you have such a conviction, you must complete the Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet to determine if you are eligible for aid or partially eligible for aid
· Many types of federal student aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant or subsidized loans where the
government pays the interest while you are in college, also require you to have financial need
FSA ID - why you need one NOW!
The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access FSA websites.
FSA ID is the fastest way to complete and submit a FAFSA on the Web application, it is the fastest way to sign your application, and allows for the fastest processing time.
If you do not already have an FSA ID, click FSA ID and set one up.
Mock Interviews
Practice Makes Perfect.
Many scholarship committees will conduct scholarship interviews to select the best candidates. For many students, this will be the first interview and it is crucial to be prepared.
Practice with the Crosby Scholars Program during a mock interview with senior advisors and staff. We will offer advice and tips to excel in your next interview.
To schedule a mock interview, email: seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org with three dates and times that work with your schedule.
Need help Filling out the FAFSA?
For help with filling out the FAFSA, go to www.StudentAid.gov/completefafsa or call 1-800-433-3243. TTY users (for the hearing impaired) may call 1-800-730-8913.
There are worksheets and videos available, at the website listed above, in both English and Spanish, that provide information and guidance with the FAFSA.
Or, schedule an individual appointment with Coe Trent, Crosby Scholars Financial Aid Advisor, at ctrent@crosbyscholars.org or by calling 336.725.5371.
Wake Forest University/Crosby Scholar Scholarship Opportunity
Wake Forest University will award up to three $2,000 annual scholarships to qualified Crosby Scholars who have been admitted to WFU. The Wake Forest University/Crosby Scholarships will be offered to:
· certified Crosby Scholars seniors from historically underrepresented populations or families whose parents did not attend college;
· who rank within the top 20% of their graduating classes; and
· demonstrate financial need.
The scholarships will be renewable for four years for students who continue to uphold the standards of the Crosby Scholars Program and who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 at Wake Forest. All Crosby Scholars admitted to WFU who meet the additional criteria will automatically be considered for this scholarship.
Crosby Scholars who wish to be considered for this scholarship must submit an application through their Crosby Scholars student portal by January 31, 2017.
SIGN UP for CSA #8E & CSA #19
Crosby Senior Academy #8E & CSA#19
Do you want to search for scholarships?
Do you want to learn about financial aid, smart borrowing and planning for the future?
Do you need to complete your CSA requirement for the Crosby Scholars Program?
In January, the Crosby Scholars Senior Program will host two more academies to teach you about scholarships and financial aid. Registration is required! Check your Crosby Scholars student portal for details and registration links.
CSA #8E: Scholarship Lab - Monday, January 23rd, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
CSA #19: Reality Check: Understanding Student Loans, Smart Borrowing, and Future Planning Thursday, January 26th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org
Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org
Website: crosbyscholars.org
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
Phone: 3367255371
Facebook: Facebook.com/crosbyscholars
Twitter: @CrosbySr2017