You CAN Afford You CAN Afford CollegeCollege

Felice RollinsThe College Place – Northern

Virginia

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid refers to funds provided to students and families to help pay for postsecondary educational expenses

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Amount family can reasonably be expected to contribute, but not what the family will pay to the college

EFC is the same regardless of what college you attend

Two components: Parent contribution Student contribution

What is Financial Need

The difference between the cost of attendance and the EFC

Need will vary based on cost of different colleges

Your financial need determines how much aid you may receive Colleges may not be able to offer enough aid to meet your financial need

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships

Grants

Loans

Employment

Federal Aid

The student must be one of the following to receive federal financial aid:U. S. citizenU. S. nationalU. S. permanent resident (I-151, I-551, I-551C)Possess an I-94 with designation refugee,

asylum granted, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Victim of human trafficking, or parolee

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) A standard form that collects

demographic and financial information about the student and family

Should be filed electronically Available in English and Spanish For 2012-2013 academic year, the

FAFSA may be filed beginning January 1, 2012

Colleges may set FAFSA filing deadlines

ScholarshipsMoney you can earn based on your

academics, athletics or other skillsFinding scholarships is a process

which requires organization and dedication

Scholarships can make the difference between where you WANT to go and where you HAVE to go

What else can you do?Talk to your family about

your desire to attend college

Research college costs

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!

THANK YOU!

The College Place – Northern Virginia

13895 Hedgewood Drive, Suite 225Woodbridge, VA 22193

703.680.3729www.ecmcfoundation.org