Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida College Access Network Conference
September 2006Tampa, Florida
Financial Aid:
What’s New & What to Do!
Presented by: Cynthia WilliamsFlorida Department of Education
Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Agenda
• State Grants & Scholarships
• Federal Programs
• Additional Financial Aid Resources• Institutional Aid• Private Sources
College Goal Sunday
Financial Aid Resources
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
State Grants & Scholarships
$604 million was appropriated to fund State Programs in 2006-07.
Three largest state funded programs:
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program- $346.3M
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) - $120.5M
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) - $102.6M
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Merit based scholarships that reward high school graduates for high academic achievement
Award Amount up to 75% -100% of tuition & fees
Comprised of the three following awards Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) -
100% (Including Academic Top Scholars)
Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) – 75%*
(*100% at Public Community Colleges)
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award – 75%
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
3.5 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses 1270 SAT or 28 ACT Community Service 100% Tuition and Fees Award
Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) 3.0 GPA in 15 College Preparatory Courses 970 SAT or 20 ACT 75% Tuition and Fees Award (100% at Public Community
Colleges)
Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) 3.0 GPA in Coursework Required for HS Graduation 3.5 GPA in 3 Vocational Courses College Placement Test Scores at Non Remedial Levels 75% Tuition and Fees Award
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Need-based grant for students who demonstrate substantial financial need.
Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2006-07 Maximum Award Amount - $1,722
EFC and college’s cost of education determine amount of awards
Institution determines application procedures, deadlines and student eligibility.
Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG)
Provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduates attending eligible 4-year, private, postsecondary institutions.
Institution determines application procedures, deadlines and student eligibility.
2006-07 Annual Award Amount - $3,000
Contact college financial aid counselor
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New State Grants & Scholarships
First Generation Matching Grant Program Creates a need-based grant program for 1st
generation in college students who attend a public state university
State universities will match state funds with private funds up to $6.5 million
Student eligibility is based on Parents have not earned a baccalaureate degreeNeed determination – Students required to file
FASFAUndergraduate, resident, full-time status
University can award up to the Cost of Attendance
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New State Grants & Scholarships
Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Training Grant (CMV)Highway safety in Florida is a priority $1,000,000 grant Training to receive the commercial driver’s
license At Public and Private Vocational Training
Centers $2,500 Forgivable Loan
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
State Grants & Scholarships
Merit-based Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (federal funds)
Need-based (requires FAFSA) Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Program Rosewood Family Scholarship Program Mary McCloud Bethune Scholarship Program Florida Work Experience Program First Generation Matching Grant Program
Special Interest Children/Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) Ethics in Business Scholarship Florida Resident Assistance Grant (FRAG) Access to Better Learning & Education Grant (ABLE) Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant Program
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
How to Apply for State Aid
Submit Florida Financial Aid Application online
Eligibility criteria vary by program In general……
Must be US citizen or eligible non-citizen Meet residency requirement Attend a postsecondary institution in Florida Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program Not owe a repayment on a federal or state grant or
be in default of a federal or state loan Make satisfactory academic progress
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Visit OSFA Website at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Financial Aid ApplicationOne Application for All Programs
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Florida Financial Aid ApplicationApplication for 2007-08 available December 1st
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
April 1, 2007
• José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant• Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund• Scholarship for Children/Spouses of
Deceased/Disabled Veterans
April 15, 2007
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
High School Graduation
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Important Application Deadlines
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Federal Programs
Federal Grants Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students
only and do not have to be repaid
Federal Loans Student loans that must be repaid and are
available to both graduate and undergraduate students Stafford Subsidized (Need-based) Stafford Unsubsidized
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New Federal Programs
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First and second year college students Pell grant recipients = Need-based Program Enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution Degree-seeking, Full-time U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible) “High School rigorous curriculum”
Bright Futures coursework, or Two AP or IB courses with passing test grades
ACG Award Amount: 1st year: $ 750 2nd year: $1,300
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
New Federal Programs
SMART Grant Third and fourth year students Degree-seeking in designated program of study
Computer Science, Engineering, Foreign Language, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Multidisciplinary Studies, Physical Sciences, Technology
Award Amount3rd year - $4,0004th year - $4,000
Pell Grant recipients = Need-based Program Enrolled full-time at a 2- or 4-year institution U.S. Citizens (Eligible non-citizens NOT eligible) Awards determined at the student’s postsecondary
institution
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
How To Apply for Federal Aid
Complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)
Check Student Aid Report (SAR) for Accuracy
FAFSA Calculates the student Expected Family
Contribution (EFC) Schools use EFC to award financial aid
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
FAFSA Website – www.fafsa.gov
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Federal Student Aid Eligibility
To receive federal student aid a student must be:
A US citizen or eligible non-citizen Registered with the Selective Service Attending a participating school Working toward a degree or certificate Making satisfactory academic progress Not owe a refund on a federal grant or
be in default on a federal education loan Must have financial need (except for
unsubsidized Stafford Loans) Not have any drug convictions
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Most postsecondary institutions provide Internships Merit scholarships Need-based grants Check with financial aid officers for
more information.
Institutional Sources of Aid
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Private Sources of Aid
Corporate Scholarships
Non-profit Scholarships
Scholarship from civic & professional organizations
Check with college Foundation office or financial aid office
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
College Goal Sunday
February 25, 2007
Program to help low-income families and first-generation college students complete FAFSA.
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Financial Aid Resources
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org
www.fafsa.edu.gov
www.finaid.org
www.fastweb.com
Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006Office of Student Financial Assistance – FCAN 2006
Contact Us
Florida Department of Education
Office of Student Financial Assistance
1-888-827-2004
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org