Presented by The Educational Opportunity Centers of

Presented by The Educational Opportunity Centers of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Penn State Greater Allegheny, Central Office Penn State Beaver Penn State Fayette: The Eberly Campus

The Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC) of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a federal TRIO program funded by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education and sponsored by Penn State University. EOC helps low- income adults, age 19 or older, whose parents did not graduate from college to begin or continue a program of postsecondary education.

EOC serves 2,000 participants every year. Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Fayette Greene Indiana Lawrence Washington Westmoreland

All services provided by EOC are FREE: Admissions Assistance Financial Aid & Scholarship Assistance Education/Career Assessment GED Referrals Student Loan Default Assistance Academic Counseling Additional Related Services

Gift Aid Grants Scholarships Self - Help Loans Work study

Federal State Campus-based Private

NEED BASED AID Financial Need Based on previous year’s income MERIT BASED AID Academic Ability/ Special Talents Affiliations Program Of Study

COA (Cost of Attendance) - EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Financial Need

What are some of the costs associated with attending post-secondary schooling or training? What other items or services will you have to purchase?

DIRECT COSTS COSTS Tuition & Fees Room & Board Expenses Books & Supplies Of A INDIRECT Transportation Personal Rental/Purchase Personal Computer Child or Elder Care Disability-Related

Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before a school’s priority deadline is a critical step. www.fafsa.ed.gov

To determine if you are eligible for grants, the Department of Ed calculates an EFC using income and asset information from the student/ spouse and parents. You will know your estimated EFC once you submit your FAFSA. You must submit parental information if you are dependent. (Most seniors are “Dependent”.)

You were born before Jan. 1, 1986. You have a bachelor’s degree. You’re married / separated on the day of FAFSA submission. You support children/ dependents more than 50%(may be verified). Since you turned 13, both parents are deceased, you were/are in foster care, or you were/ are a dependent of the court. You’re emancipated (under 18) or in legal guardianship as determined by a court. You were determined to be an unaccompanied youth/ homeless minor.

Family Size/Number In College Parent(s) & Student Income Parent(s) & Student Assets (stocks/ stock options, bonds, CD’s, mutual funds, real estate, 529 (Unow), UGMA/UGMT accounts, money market, securities, etc.) Total of Cash, Savings, Checking for both Value of farm or family-owned

PELL grant ACG grant SMART grant TEACH grant Federal campus-based Federal Stafford loans PLUS loans

Largest Federal Grant FAFSA Required EFC Determines Eligibility Award Amount Based On Enrollment Status And Cost Of Attendance 2009- 2010 Awards Range from 890- 4,731. EFC eligibility range is 0 to 4041 for full-time enrollment (12 credits or more).

U.S. Citizen Or Eligible Non-Citizen High School Diploma Or Equivalent Enrolled In A Certificate, Diploma Or Degree Program Males Between The Ages Of 18 & 25 Must Register With Selective Service (can be done via FAFSA) Not be convicted of any offense under Federal or state law involving possession or

High school graduates since January 1, 2006 that meet the following criteria: U.S. citizens or Eligible Non-Citizen Be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant Be a first or second year undergraduate student Be enrolled full-time in a two- or fouryear degree program. Rigorous high school program of study (as determined by state- next slide.)

Rigorous Program of Study State Designated High School State Scholars Initiative AP/ Honors diploma program AP or IB Courses/ Tests College-ready courses: 4 yrs. English, 3 yrs. Math (Algebra 1 ), 3 yrs. Science (Biology ), 3 yrs. Social Studies, 1 yr. Foreign Language Up to 750 for first year Up to 1,300 for 2nd academic year (Must have 3.0 GPA first year college)

Science and Math Access to Retain Talent grant will provide up to 4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient Be enrolled full-time in a degree program at least ½ time Be enrolled in a four-year degreegranting institution Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education provides 4,000 a year at PARTICIPATING institutions Freshman- have high school GPA of 3.25 or score in 75th percentile on college admissions test Preparing for career in teaching and taking relevant coursework. TEACH graduates must teach four 4 years in a high-need school in Math, Science, Bilingual Education, Foreign Language, Special Education, Reading Specialist, or other high need field.

FSEOG Grant- exceptional need Pell recipients 100-4,000/year Perkins Loan-exceptional need students 100-4,000/year; Subsidized; fixed 5% interest rate with a 9 month grace period Work Study- May be done on or off campus (at least minimum wage). Colleges have set allocations & awards are

Fixed Interest Rate – After July 1, 2009: 5.6% - Subsidized 6.8%- Unsubsidized Fees of up to 2% Delayed Repayment - 6 Month Grace Period After Graduation, Withdrawal, Less Than Half-Time Deferments Available Maximum amount is automatically approved, unless the student indicates a lesser amount is desired.

First Year Dependent UndergraduatesBase Amount Subsidized and/ or Unsubsidized Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Amounts 3,500 2,000 Second 4,500 2,000 Year 5,500 2,000 After *Borrowing Second may be Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or a combination of both. Year *Subsidized loans only offered to students demonstrating financial need.

If a dependent student needs additional loan funds, the parents must apply for a Parent Plus Loan. If the parents are rejected for a Parent Plus loan, the student may ask to be considered for additional unsubsidized Stafford loan amounts. Additional loan amounts can be requested for reasons of parental incarceration, unknown whereabouts, or the receipt of public assistance/ disability as only source of parental income.

Fixed interest rate of 7.9% (Direct) or 8.5% (FFELP) Parents may borrow up to Cost of Attendance Minus other Financial Aid. Credit check required. Parents that don’t pass the credit check can get an co-signer OR qualify based on extenuating circumstances. Use aessuccess.org to apply and/or to find a

PHEAA grant NETS Scholarship program ROBERT C.BYRD scholarship program State Work Study Chafee Educational and Training Grant KEYSTONEBEST Stafford Loan

4,120*** Maximum (PA schools) Non-Veterans / Out-of-State 600 Maximum - CT, DE, MA, ME, OH, RI, VT, DC, WV 400 Maximum – in all other states except MD, NJ, NY 0 MD, NJ, NY (Some Exceptions) Veterans / Out-of-State

BY MAY 1 4-Year Programs, College Transferable Programs And ALL RENEWALS BY AUGUST 1 First Year Applicants At: - Business, Trade, Technical And 2 Year Nursing Schools - 2 Year Terminal Programs

High School Graduate Or GED Recipient PA residents for at least 1 year (or parents, if student is under 18) before FAFSA completion Make academic progress for continued funding At Least Two Academic Year Undergraduate Program At least 15 months/60 credit hours/1800 clock hours (1500 clock hours, if an associate degree program) At Least Half-Time Enrollment (6 or more credits) PHEAA Approved School Satisfactory Character (not incarcerated)

PA residents with a H.S. Diploma or GED Enrolled At a PHEAA-approved postsecondary school. Enrolled in an approved science or technology program Maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA Apply for PELL & PHEAA grants Agree to be employed in PA in a related field for each year scholarship was received.

SCI-TECH: 4 yr. program TECHNOLOGY: Less than 4 yr. program Must be a sophomore to apply Full or part-time enrollment GPA at least 3.0 at time of application Less than four-year program May apply for freshman year Max 1,000/ year for 2 years. Full time enrollment Max 3,000 per year for 3 years.

Federally-funded administered by PHEAA 1,500 per year for each year of renewal US Citizen or eligible non-citizen AND PA resident Deadline is April 1 Top 5% of high school class (or 1, 2, or 3 in senior classes 60 students or less 3.5 GPA & SAT score of 1150 or ACT score 25 GED recipients- must have a score of at least 3500 Be a H.S. graduate during the same academic year receipt of first award

PA state-grant eligible residents Work in high-tech or community service positions with for-profit or non-profit employers, including postsecondary schools Visit pheaa’s website for details. www.pheaa.org

Federally-funded, but administered by PHEAA & PA DPW Up to 5,000/ yr for foster care or former foster care youth who were discharged or adopted from foster care after age 16 PA resident under the age of 21 Attends an approved institution at least halftime Must file a FAFSA & Chafee application

Eligible PA State Grant Applicants Enrolled At Least Half-time In An Undergraduate Degree or Certificate Program at a participating school. 0% Origination Fee An Additional .25% Interest Rate Reduction If Payments Deducted from Checking Account. Use aessuccess.org to apply and/or to find a lender that participates.

KNOW YOUR DEADLINES!! Find out the priority deadline dates for each school you are interested in attending Complete the FAFSA before priority deadlines using www.fafsa.ed.gov If possible, complete all applications at least 30 days before deadlines

You don’t have to wait to apply to schools or be accepted before completing the FAFSA. Respond quickly to requests for additional information (SAR, PHEAA State Grant Status Notice, verifications/ paperwork from schools). Explore every funding resource available to you. Keep copies of all applications for your records.

Alternative Loans- shop around! Institutional payment plans Family resources VA Benefits, Americorps, PA National Guard Insurance Policies, Retirement Funds, Cash Advances – Almost Never A Good Idea!

Search scholarship web sites: www.educationplanner.org www.collegeboard.com Community-based organizations Church / Religious affiliations Service / Fraternal organizations Labor unions / Trade associations / Professional affiliations

EOC of SWPA 1-888-EOC-SWPA or 1-888-3627972 EOC Penn State Greater Allegheny 4000 University Drive McKeesport, PA 15132 (412) 675-9078 EOC EOC Penn State Fayette: The Eberly Campus Penn State Beaver One University Drive 100 University Drive Uniontown, PA 15401 Monaca, PA 15061 (724) 430-4100 ext. 4796 (724) 773-3768 or 1-800-378-6230