Senior Guidance Newsletter 2024
Financial Aid Edition
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The FAFSA is finally here!
The FAFSA has finally opened! The FAFSA form is currently available for families to complete. Remember, current seniors should be completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA form (the year they will be a freshman in college). The form can be found at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Please note, the Federal Government has indicated that the FAFSA is currently under a "Soft Launch" and will be available for short periods of time while the form is monitored. Please try again at another time if you encounter any website issues or contact FAFSA directly.
The new FAFSA is ready!
The FAFSA has undergone new changes this year and is now ready for you to complete!
Click here for more information regarding the new FAFSA
What’s New
The 2024–25 FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, and provides a streamlined user experience. 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants due to updates to student aid calculations. Plus, applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could answer as few as 18 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes.
Have You Filed For Financial Aid Yet?
With half of the school year over, we’re looking forward to supporting our seniors as they plan for their next steps after graduation. Completing financial aid applications is one of the most important steps students and families take to support college success. These applications should be submitted even if seniors have not decided whether to attend college.
We do not want any of our seniors to miss out on a single dollar of financial aid. So between now and the end of the school year, we’ll be launching the Bellport High School Financial Aid for College Completion Project 2024. Please see the websites on this page to fill out the required applications and please reach out to your School Counselor for assistance with the process.
In 2020, New York students missed out on an estimated $152 million in federal financial aid by not completing their applications on time. Let’s make sure none of our Bellport High School seniors miss out on their financial aid!
Has your student been awarded a scholarship?
Please notify your School Counselor if you have been awarded a scholarship from a college, institution or scholarship fund!
Need Help Applying for FAFSA?
Suffolk Community College Financial Aid Days
https://apply.sunysuffolk.edu/portal/FA
Are you confused about the financial aid process and how to apply for grants and loans? Our workshops allow you to connect with experienced professionals for help navigating the aid process.
The Financial Aid 101 session provides participants with a general overview of the financial aid process, basic eligibility requirements, types of aid programs available, and additional resources for students.
The Financial Aid 102 session is a step-by-step completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). We will also give you information about completing your NYS Payment Application for New York State financial aid.
Financial Aid 101 - Paying for College - Overview of General Financial Aid Information
February 7, 20
March 5, 11
Financial Aid 102 - Applying for Financial Aid - Step by Step Completion of FAFSA
February 15, 26
March 6, 12
Students and Families Can Get Help Completing the FAFSA with HESC
Students and parents/guardians can register for FAFSA completion assistance by going to HESC’s website dedicated to encouraging completion of the FAFSA – StarttHereGetThere.org.
- Sign up for a hands-on FAFSA workshop on the statewide calendar of FAFSA completion events.
- Chat online or speak with a HESC representative weekdays between 9am-4pm at 800-808-1790.
- Get information on the financial aid application process.
St. Joseph's College Virtual Financial Aid Webinars
January 11
January 24
February 13
March 6
at 6:30pm virtually. Registration for the Thursday January 11th event may be found here:
https://www.sjny.edu/long-island/about/news-events/events/item/9192
At this virtual event, you will learn about:
- The questions you should ask colleges and universities
- The FAFSA and its function
- How to maximize scholarship and grant opportunities
- How financial aid office determines your eligibility
- Financial aid in simple terms
- How to finance a college degree
The Steps to the Financial Aid Process
1. Apply for an FSA ID
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Create a username and password. You will use this ID to complete the FAFSA
Both the student and the parent must sign up for a FSA ID
On the 2024–25 FAFSA form, every contributor—anyone (you, your spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or your parent's spouse) who's required to provide information on the FAFSA form—will need a StudentAid.gov account before accessing and completing their section of the online form. Contributors will access their StudentAid.gov account by using their FSA ID (account username and password).
Note: Starting December 2023, contributors without an SSN can create a StudentAid.gov account to fill out their portion of your 2024–25 FAFSA form online.
To start the online 2024–25 FAFSA form, you’ll select “Start a New Form.” You’ll be taken to the “Log In” page to enter your account username and password. After logging in, you’ll be given the option to select your applicable role to fill out the FAFSA form: “Student” or “Parent.” You (the student) should select “Student.” If a parent wants to start their dependent child’s FAFSA form, they should select the “Parent” option.
You might need the following information or documents as you fill out the 2024–25 FAFSA form:
Your parents’ SSNs if you’re a dependent student
Tax returns
Records of child support received
Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
Net worth of investments, businesses, and farm
2. Complete and submit the FAFSA
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
The FAFSA will determine your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) which will be used by each college to determine your financial aid eligibility
Please make sure to list all colleges your student applied to on the FAFSA so they receive your information
Sign the FAFSA with your FSA ID
This application is FREE to complete
3. Complete the TAP award
On the final page of the FAFSA it will ask if you would like to complete the form for NYS aid, say yes. If not please go to www.hesc.ny.gov or to
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html
4. Complete the CSS Profile
Please only do this if a college you have applied to requires it
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
This application has a fee
5. Complete the NYS Excelsior Award application
This award is given based on family income requirements. For more information and to apply please go to www.hesc.ny.gov and click on “Excelsior Scholarship Program”. Applications are available in late spring 2024
6. Complete the NYS DREAM Award application, if applicable
Please visit the HESC website for more information about qualifications and eligibility for undocumented students
7. Check out our Scholarship Newsletter and apply
8. Complete the BHS Local Scholarship Application by March 4th!
Scholarship Information
BHS Scholarship Information!
BHS Guidance Scholarship Guidebook
BHS Guidance Upcoming Scholarships
BHS Guidance Self-Nomination Scholarship Information
BHS LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP Application - this is DUE March 4th!! These awards are ONLY given to BHS students! It is so important to apply ASAP!
Financial Aid Websites
FSA ID
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
FAFSA
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
TAP and Excelsior
NYS DREAM
CSS Profile
www.cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
Scholarships: