ES Agenda Items – December

We have close to 100 junior and senior students/families asking for assistance with the financial aid process (per the Guidance Questionnaire). Please pass on this important information about the FAFSA, GPA Verification Form, and upcoming Financial Aid Workshops.

******CLASS OF 2005******

FAFSA Information!!!!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

www.fafsa.ed.gov

What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is the application used for all types of federal financial aid – for junior colleges, trade schools, colleges and universities!

Who should apply? All graduating students planning to attend a junior college, trade school, private college, or university.

When is it due? California students must file two forms: a FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA Verification form by March 2, 2005 to qualify for state sponsored grant programs including Cal Grants. Apply early!!! Don’t wait until you have been accepted into a college for you or your parents to file year-end tax returns. You may use estimates from December pay stubs and other end-of-year records which can be corrected later when you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Why apply? Don’t assume you or your family makes too much money to get financial aid. You should still file the FAFSA! Many factors affect your financial need such as the number of children in your household in college and the age of your oldest parent. What’s more, a number of colleges require their students to submit a FAFSA before considering them for institution-based financial aid.

How do I apply? Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to begin. To start, you will need to get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) by clicking on the “Register for PIN” button then follow the prompts. The student and one parent must set up a PIN. Then, fill out the FAFSA and submit it. If you use a PIN when filing on-line, you don’t have to sign and mail in a signature page.

Where do I get the GPA Verification Form? Call the Guidance Department for the form. Becky Cote 1-800-979-4436 or Mary Halter 1-800-458-7050 ext.2.

Financial Aid Workshop Financial Aid Workshop

Modesto/Ceres Learning Center Manteca Learning Center

2600 Mitchell Rd, ste G 955 W. Center St. ste 9

Monday January 24, 2005 Monday January 24, 2005

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Class of 2005 parents and students are invited to attend this very important event regarding financial aid for: junior college, trade schools, colleges and universities. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), GPA Verification Forms, California State Grants/Pell Grants, Scholarship Information, Other ways to access free money for college! And, much more! Don’t miss out!!

To reserve your space and to register for one of the workshops call the Waterford Office at (209) 874-9463 or 1-800-808-9895.