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2016 Annual Statewide Financial Aid Conference for High School Counselors

2016 Annual Statewide Financial Aid Conference for High School Counselors. September 20, 2016. Early FAFSA Submission Begins!. Apply on-line at: www.fafsa.gov 2017-2018 FAFSA now available October 1, 2016 2017-2018 MN Dream Act application for undocumented students also live on 10/1/2016

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2016 Annual Statewide Financial Aid Conference for High School Counselors

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  1. 2016Annual Statewide Financial Aid Conference for High School Counselors • September 20, 2016

  2. Early FAFSA Submission Begins! • Apply on-line at: www.fafsa.gov • 2017-2018 FAFSA now available October 1, 2016 • 2017-2018 MN Dream Act application for undocumented students also live on 10/1/2016 • Carleton, Macalester, St. Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus (and many east coast colleges) require CSS Profile form in addition to FAFSA • https://profileonline.collegeboard.com

  3. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) www.fafsa.gov • Apply • Transfer IRS data • Reapply • Apply for FSA ID • Find college codes • Check status of FAFSA • Make corrections • Add additional colleges • Print SARs

  4. 2017-2018 FAFSA Changes #5 • Draft in packet • Paper FAFSA colors green and purple • Added Medicaid to list of other federal means-tested programs • Question #75 dependent applicant • Question #97 independent applicant • Question #29: What will your college grade level be…” • Question #53: Link to state child welfare agencies now in instructions • Provided in case applicant needs assistance with determining if s/he was formerly in foster care • Can print paper FAFSA from www.fafsa.gov

  5. 2017-2018 FAFSA Prior-Prior Year (PPY) • 2017-2018 is first year FAFSA will use income information from prior-prior year • Tax year 2015 instead of 2016 • CSS Profile will also use PPY • Should eliminate need to enter estimated tax data on the FAFSA • IRS Data Retrieval tool will direct 2017-2018 FAFSA filers to 2015 tax year information • May create confusion for those who submitted 2016-2017 FAFSA with 2015 tax year information • Should not be confusing for high school seniors submitting FAFSA for first time

  6. 2017-2018 FAFSA Time Period for Questions • Only tax-related FAFSA data will be from 2015 • NASFAA Handout • From tax year 2015: • Type tax return filed • Tax filing status • Tax exemptions • Adjusted gross income • U.S. taxes paid • Wages/income from work • Untaxed income questions #45 a-j; #94 a-I • Additional financial information #44 a-f; #93 a-f #25

  7. 2017-2018 FAFSA Time Period for Questions • Timeframe for remaining questions will not change • As of date FAFSA completed: • Student demographic information • Student and parents’ marital status • Asset information • During period of 2017-2018 school year • Household size • Number in college • Dates provided in question • Dependency status questions #46-58 • Receipt of federal means-tested benefits #75-79, #97-101

  8. Effects of Prior-Prior Year • Potential for more changes in family income between tax year 2015 and 2017-2018 school year • Loss of employment, reductions in income, change in marital status, etc. • Students should contact financial aid office about professional judgment income adjustments • Potential for more conflicting information cases if 2015 tax year information reported differently on 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 FAFSAs

  9. Effects of Prior-Prior Year • Students will see pop-up message in 2017-2018 FAFSA on the Web if 2015 tax information supplied for 2017-2018 differs from 2016-2017 FAFSA unless: • 2016-2017 FAFSA 2015 tax data was marked ‘estimated’ • Student’s dependency status changed for 2017-2018 • Student or parent marital status changed for 2017-2018 • If not addressed by student when submitting 2017-2018 FAFSA, will have comment on Student Aid Report (SAR) and college will need to resolve conflicting information

  10. Effects of Prior-Prior Year • FAFSA output received by colleges will not be flagged for conflicting information if: • Difference in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 EFCs not significant; OR • Student will not be Pell Grant eligible for 2017-2018 (high EFC); OR • Change in dependency status for 2017-2018; OR • Change in student’s or parents’ marital status for 2017-2018; OR • Professional judgment adjustment performed for either year • Best way for returning students to avoid problems is to use IRS data retrieval within FAFSA on the Web for both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018

  11. Concerns About Early FAFSA Submission • Worries about colleges moving up financial aid deadlines • Would have disparate impact on first-generation college students who tend to apply later in year • Early financial aid award notices will most likely be estimates • Final Pell and State Grant award formulas not known until spring (Pell) or summer (State Grant)

  12. Timing of ApplicationsEarlier for 4-Year Colleges Corresponds to institutional aid deadlines

  13. Timing of ApplicationsLater for Public 2-Yr and For-Profit Corresponds to the start of class

  14. Concerns About Early FAFSA Submission • Letter to college presidents from U.S. Department of Education (8/8/2016) • Urges them to have students submit FAFSA as soon after October 1, 2016, as possible • Encourages colleges to provide earlier financial aid notification, even if estimated • Asks colleges not to adopt earlier financial aid deadlines for institutional aid • May hurt low-income, first-generation college students who normally apply later • Encourages colleges to adjust awarding strategies so that those most in need will have access to funds regardless of application date

  15. Early FAFSA Submission • Survey by Cegment, Inc. • 543 college administrators; 1,031 hs seniors and parents

  16. Early FAFSA Submission

  17. Early FAFSA SubmissionBarriers to Earlier Notification

  18. Early FAFSA Submission & PPYOHE Survey of Financial Aid Administrators • OHE surveyed financial aid administrators in MN to determine plans for accommodating Early FAFSA and use of PPY Income • Results in Handout Detailed responses by campus available at: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1451 #14

  19. Federal Student Aid ID(FSA ID) • Required for both student and parent (if dependent) to electronically sign FAFSA • Both will need to have email accounts • Is a username and password created by user • User also has 5 challenge questions • 2 from a list of possible questions • 2 created by user • 1 with important date (can’t be birth date)

  20. Tips for Remembering FSA ID • When creating password, click on ‘Show Text’ to make sure password was correctly typed • Have student write down all information on FSA ID Worksheet #21

  21. Federal Student Aid ID(FSA ID) • If user forgets FSA ID username • Will have option to answer challenge questions or receive email with secure code • After successfully answering challenge questions or entering secure code from email, username appears on screen • If user forgets FSA ID password • Same steps as above, only user then directed to create new password • If user chose challenge questions, must wait 30 minutes to use new password

  22. Items Populated on FOTW from IRS Data Retrieval – Available 10/1/2016 • Adjusted gross income • U.S. income taxes paid • Untaxed IRA distributions, pensions • Education credits • IRA deductions • Tax exempt interest • Student’s and parents’ income from work if: • Marital status is other than married • If ‘married’, total income from work from tax form will appear on screen and will need to separated by student or parent for entry into FOTW fields

  23. FAFSA on the Web IRS Data Retrieval • Who CAN’T use IRS data retrieval: • Married couples who filed separate tax returns • Married couples if one filed as head of household • Student’s legal parents are unmarried and living together • Filed an amended return (must submit tax return transcript and 1040x to school) • Filed Puerto Rican or foreign tax return • Applicants whose marital status changed since January 1 of the processing year

  24. FAFSA on the Web IRS Data Retrieval Tips • SSN, name, date of birth and address must match those used on tax return • Have a copy of tax return to refer to • Trickiest part is street address, due to abbreviations and periods • St. does not match St or Street • 3rd does not match 3 or Third • See where PO box or Apt # is entered on tax form and use that same location on IRS data retrieval screen

  25. FAFSA on the Web IRS Data Retrieval • If family can’t use IRS Data Retrieval, will need to produce official IRS tax return transcript if selected for verification • http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript • Can order tax return transcript online that will come in the mail • Random families will be able to get transcript online in real-time • Or, can order by phone (800) 908-9946 • Allow 5-10 days for mail delivery

  26. Criteria for Independent Applicant • At least 24 years old by December 31st of the award year covered by the FAFSA • Graduate or professional student • Married (does NOT include cultural marriage) • Has legal dependents other than a spouse who receive more than one half of their support from the student during school year • Any time since turning 13 was/is an orphan, in foster care, or ward of the court • On active duty or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces • Emancipated minor or in legal guardianship as determined by a court (by someone other than parent) • Unaccompanied homeless youth as documented by: • (high school/district homeless liaison, authorized shelter administrator, financial aid administrator interview)

  27. Other FAFSA Handouts for Students • The Sooner the Better • The FAFSA: Why, When and Then What? • What You Need to Know About the 2017-2018 FAFSA • Tips for Completing the 2017-2018 FAFSA • Completing the FAFSA: Special Guidance Related to Dependency Status and Providing Parental Information • Impact of Marital Status on the 2017-2018 FAFSA #6 #11 #23 #7 #24 #8

  28. FAFSA Training • More detailed FAFSA training for new counselors offered at this workshop following presentation and Q & A • Also, FAFSA line-by-line training offered to professionals working with students by • www.minnesotacollegegoal.org

  29. FAFSA Results • Student notified of FAFSA processing results by: • E-mail notification with link to student’s SAR online if student’s e-mail address provided: • FAFSA on the Web (takes 1-2 days if electronically signed with FSA ID; 2 weeks if mailed in signature page) • Make sure student adds federal email address to address book to avoid delivery problems FederalStudentAidFAFSA@cpsemail.ed.gov • If student has a FSA ID, can view SAR online at www.fafsa.govand make corrections • Don’t forget to sign corrections!

  30. If Selected for Verification • Verification items tailored to each student and indicated on SAR/ISIR • Some students may need to verify all items; others not • If items limited to data from tax return, verification can be accomplished through IRS data retrieval process alone • If verification items include both tax return and other items • Verification worksheet sent by college • Families should NOT make FAFSA corrections after verification is completed without checking with financial aid office

  31. Professional Judgment • Family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now based on income from two years prior • For 2017-2018 academic year, tax year 2015 • Financial aid administrators can use their “professional judgment” to alter data on the FAFSA for special circumstances • e.g. use 2016 or 2017 income rather than 2015 • Adjustments are typically performed as corrections by the financial aid office after the original FAFSA is submitted and verified

  32. Professional Judgment • Common examples include: • Significant change in income from past tax year based on unemployment, underemployment, death, divorce, military service or natural disaster • Unusually high medical expenses • Nursing home expenses • Elementary or secondary school tuition paid • Significant college costs for dependent student’s parent attending college • Dependency override • Family should contact financial aid administrator to discuss unusual circumstances

  33. What is a Dependency Override? • Gives financial aid administrator authority to allow otherwise dependent applicant to apply as independent applicant due to unusual circumstances • Parental abuse, abandonment, incarceration, parents in another country, etc. • Not used simply because student lives outside parent household after age 18 or parents object to providing data • Must be supported by documentation, preferably by someone outside immediate family • Student should contact financial aid office for instructions after submitting FOTW without parental data

  34. Sources of Financial Aid

  35. Packaging Financial Aid • In general, need-based financial aid cannot exceed cost of attendance (COA) minus EFC • Remaining need after grants and scholarships typically covered by work-study or loans • Some forms of financial aid can replace all or portion of EFC (Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, PLUS Loan, SELF Loan, certain private scholarships, etc.)

  36. Federal Grants & Scholarships

  37. State Grants & Scholarships(for MN residents attending college in MN)Check out Handout #10 for Pell & State Grant Look-Up Chart! #10

  38. MN Dream Act • Qualifying undocumented students eligible for: • In-state tuition rates at MnSCU and U of M • State financial aid programs • State Grant, Child Care Grant, Work Study (if DACA), SELF Loan • Private scholarships administered by MnSCU/UM • To meet MN Dream Act requirements: • Attend MN high school for at least 3 years • Graduate from a MN high school or earn MN GED • Comply with Selective Service requirements • Males 18 to 25 years old must register • Apply for lawful immigration status once a federal process for doing so exists (not yet applicable) #15

  39. MN Dream Act Application • Cannot apply using FAFSA • Link to online MN Dream Act state financial aid application and instructions posted on: • www.ohe.state.mn.us/MNDreamAct • OHE created its own MN Dream Act application • Modeled after FAFSA on the Web • Available: • January 1, 2016 for 2016-2017 (using 2015 tax year) • October 1, 2016 for 2017-2018 (using 2015 tax year) • English and Spanish • Easier for students to understand • Must be completed in one sitting • Please get the word out to your undocumented students!

  40. MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Scholarship Program • Administered by Office of Higher Education • Selection, awarding take place on campus • Pilot program for 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years • Apply with 2016-17 FAFSA (or MN Dream Act) • 2016 MN high school graduates/GED only • No new recipients for 2017-2018 • Adjusted gross income ≤ $90,000 • Participate in free mentoring services • Enrolled in qualifying occupational programs in high-demand fields • Award = Tuition & Fees minus Pell and State Grants • Pilot will be evaluated by OHE • Legislature will determine whether to continue program

  41. Institutional Scholarships • Many of these listed in central location on OHE website: • http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/sPages/scholarshipsAll.cfm • Tend to have early deadlines • Average scholarship per first-time, full-time undergraduate for 2013-2014

  42. Private Scholarships • Student should check with local businesses, civic organizations, parents’ employers • Most high schools compile lists of local scholarships • Free internet search sites: www.collegeboard.com/pay www.scholarshipamerica.org www.fastweb.com www.studentscholarshipsearch.com www.gocollege.com www.scholarshiphelp.org • Students should be sure to report any private scholarships to the financial aid office

  43. Federal and State Work Study • Undergraduate or graduate students are eligible • Employment may be on or off campus – resume builder! • May work during summer • Wages won’t count against student’s future financial aid eligibility on FAFSA • Respond ‘Yes’ to Work Study question on FAFSA • Contact financial aid office for further information MN Dream Act applicants eligible for MN State Work Study if they have work authorization

  44. Student Loan Programs Student Loan Programs #12 • Loan comparison chart covers main features of all federal and state student loan programs • In general, federal loan programs have best terms and repayment options • Reverse side displays various loan repayment options for federal student loans • General Rule of Thumb: • Don’t borrow more than expected first year salary in field • Monthly payment will typically be around 1% of total student loan debt • $300 for $30,000 debt

  45. Federal Student Loan ProgramsFrom The Atlantic “The Scariest Student Loan Number” 7/19/2016 Average student debt is nowhere near the additional lifetime earnings gained by college credential

  46. Federal Student Loan ProgramsFrom The Atlantic “The Scariest Student Loan Number” 7/19/2016 Largest % of defaulters are students who borrowed a small amount and then dropped out of college without completing degree

  47. Tuition Reciprocity • Allows MN residents to attend in neighboring states at rate similar to MN resident rate • Students need to apply (some assume it’s automatic) • Apply directly to ND or SD college if recent MN high school graduate • Apply directly to colleges in Manitoba • All other students must submit application to Office of Higher Education in MN • Apply on-line for 2017-2018 after March 1, 2017 at: • www.ohe.state.mn.us • Reduced rates for MN residents attending select schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska under Midwestern Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

  48. Federal Higher EducationTax Advantages American Opportunity Tax Credit Lifetime Learning Tax Credit Tuition and Fees Deduction Penalty Free IRA Withdrawals Coverdell Education Savings Account Student Loan Interest Deduction See Publication 970 at: www.irs.govfor details Also, handout in packet #16

  49. Helpful Resources • College financial aid administrator knows best!! http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/sPages/finAidInsts.cfm • Questions on federal aid programs and application process (800) 433-3243 • www.studentaid.ed.gov • Office of Higher Education financial aid staff (651) 642-0567 or (800) 657-3866 • www.ohe.state.mn.us

  50. Student PublicationsOffice of Higher Education • Former Paying for College now split into 4 shorter publications • No longer available in other languages • Ordering instructions in right side of packet • Limited supply; order only what you need

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