.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid programs provide support for students to help meet the costs of
obtaining a college education. Funding for such programs is provided by the
federal and state governments, the individual colleges and universities, and a
variety of other public and private sources.
Financial aid is split up into two categories based on the reason the money is
awarded:
Achievement-based aid is awarded to students who have a special
characteristic, skill, talent, or ability. Typically achievement-based aid is
in the form of scholarships.
Need-based aid is provided to students who demonstrate financial need.
Most financial aid, particularly public-funded aid, is awarded on the basis of
financial need determined through the application process and in accordance
with a prescribed federal formula.
4 BASIC TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
GRANTS: Federal or state gift assistance with no obligation for work or
repayment.
LOANS: Providing funds now, but with a future repayment obligation.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Gift assistance with no obligation for work or
repayment.
WORK-STUDY: Part-time work while attending the institution.
Most often, financial aid will come to you in the form of a package consisting
of a combination of the different types of aid available. The combination of
aid offered depends on the availability of funds, your eligibility, the
timeliness with which the application process is completed, and your year in
school.
T.O.P.S.
Louisiana's Tuition Opportunity Program for Students
For any TOPS information, plus much more.
TOPS TECH
This program is designed for students attending two-year schools
such as Delgado or Louisiana Technical Institute. Course
requirements vary from the regular TOPS program. An ACT composite
score of 17 is required. More information is provided in the
guidance office.
http://www.osfa.state.la.us/schgrt6.htm
To be considered for the TOPS scholarship, you must complete all
courses in the TOPS core curriculum with a minimum 2.5 GPA on
these core courses. In addition, students must have a minimum ACT
composite score of 20.
In order for an ACT or SAT score to be considered, the student
must enter the code 1595 on the ACT registration form or code
9019 on the SAT registration form. LIST THIS CODE FIRST WHEN YOU
SELECT YOUR SCORE REPORT OPTIONS.
*
LOUISIANA OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE---TOPS
(800) 259-LOAN/(800) 259-5626 ext.1012 (255) 922-1012
TOPS
FAFSA
*FREE APPLICATION for FEDERAL STUDENT AID*
Complete and file the FAFSA and find links to the federal
financial programs and PIN registration. www.fafsa.ed.gov
COMPLETING THE FAFSA
Explains how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA).
It explains the purpose of the FAFSA questions. This site also
contains a
section that provides answers to several frequently asked
questions (FAQs).
Deadline July 1.
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP):
This program uses federal and state funds to provide need-based
grants to academically qualified students. LOSFA allocates funds
to
post-secondary institutions, which include Louisiana
colleges/universities,
technical institutes and proprietary schools, based upon the
school's prior
fall enrollment.
LEAP Grants
LOUISIANA GO GRANT PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to provide a need-based component
to the state's financial aid plan to support nontraditional and
low to
moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the
cost of
attending college.
GO GRANTS
The Louisiana Education Loan Authority (Lela) is, a non-profit
public trust established to bring financing assistance and
advantages to the
people of Louisiana. Lela, the student loan division of the LPFA,
acts as a
low cost source of student loan financing for higher education.
Louisiana Education Loan Authority
ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION CALCULATOR
Multiple calculators (college cost, expected family contribution
and financial aid, and loan).
EFC Calculator
FAFSA4CASTER
Instantly calculates a student's eligibility for federal student
aid, including grants. Simplifies the financial aid process for
students and their families.
FAFSA4CASTER
FIN AID
This site brings together a good deal of information on financial
aid and how to apply for it, including calculators to estimate their
EFC
(Expected Family Contribution).
FIN AID
FIN AID - CALCULATORS
Dozens of tools for calculating college costs, loan payments,
savings, and the expected family contribution (EFC).
FIN AID Calculators
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCE CENTER - CALCULATORS
Calculators to determine dependency status, college cost, loan
payments and total payments.
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCE CENTER CALCULATOR
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCE CENTER
Links to: Student Loans and Lenders; Scholarship and Scholarship
Search; Education Resource Directory; Compare Student Loans; Federal
School
Codes; College Cost Calculator; Applying for Financial Aid and more.
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCE CENTER
WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
Go to the student page to learn more about Direct Loans, how to
apply, where to go for online loan counseling, what free
publications are
available, and how to avoid default.
WILLIAM D. FORD DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS
www.NASFAA.org
N.A.S.F.A.A. is an association of over 3,000 colleges,
universities, career schools, and others with an interest in the
effective
administration of student financial aid. This web site provides
information on
the financial aid process and directs you to some of the more
important and
helpful financial
aid guidance on the web.
NASFAA
NELLIE MAE
Nellie Mae helps you be brilliant by providing intelligent
student loan programs to help families pay for college. We work in
partnership
with the brightest school administrators to make student loans
accessible and
offer timely guidance about borrowing wisely.
NELLIE MAE
NELLIE MAE - CALCULATORS
Some useful calculators that can help you make informed decisions
about award letter comparison, budget worksheet, education loan
comparison and
evaluating repayment options.
NELLIE MAE CALCULATORS
PLATO LOAN
Resources and information on alternative student loan and student
loan.
PLATO LOAN
STUDENT GUIDE TO FEDERAL AID PUBLICATION
A comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S.
Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the
three major
forms of aid available through the Department's Federal Student
Aid office.
STUDENT GUIDE TO FEDERAL AID PUBLICATION
STUDENT LOAN NET
Contains a free online scholarship search and offers useful
financial aid information, difference between federal and private
education loans.
STUDENT LOAN NET
TYPES OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Pell Grants, Campus Based Programs, Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins
Loan; FFEL
& Direct Loan Programs, Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan, Consolidation
Loan.
TYPES OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
U.S. NEWS: FINANCIAL AID AWARD COMPARISONS
Compare financial aid packages/ awards . Financial aid awards
often vary greatly, and comparing them can be difficult. This work
sheet helps
you calculate your out-of-pocket costs for each college.
AWARD COMPARISON WORKSHEET
COST OF COLLEGE CALCULATOR
Estimate the cost of a college education.
COST OF COLLEGE CALCULATOR
COLLEGE SAVINGS CALCULATOR
Find out how much you need to save every month so that you are
financially prepared for college.
COLLEGE SAVINGS CALCULATOR
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION CALCULATOR
Get a ballpark estimate of your expected family contribution
(EFC), an important factor in determining federal financial aid.
COLLEGE TOOLKIT CALCULATOR
ED FUND
Financial aid and college planning tools for parents and
students, plus career exploration link.
ED FUND
FINANCIAL AID AWARD EVALUATOR
Compare financial aid award packages from various schools side by
side.
FINANCIAL AID AWARD EVALUATOR
FINANCIAL AID GLOSSARY
Wondering what FAFSA, EFC, and COA stand for? Check out this
glossary to get some answers about commonly used financial aid,
scholarship,
and college terms.
FINANCIAL AID GLOSSARY
GUIDE TO FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
The federal government is the #1 source of financial aid for
college-bound students. Learn more about which programs you may
qualify for
and how you can take advantage of these opportunities.
GUIDE TO FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
LOAN REPAYMENT CALCULATOR
Determine the monthly payments needed to pay off your student
loans.
LOAN REPAYMENT CALCULATOR
BORROWER BENEFITS CALCULATOR
Estimate how much you can save by taking advantage of a bank's
borrower benefit programs.
BORROWER BENEFITS CALCULATOR
LOAN CONSOLIDATION CALCULATOR
Find out how consolidating your loans may impact your repayment
terms.
LOAN CONSOLIDATION CALCULATOR
VALUE OF COLLEGE CALCULATOR
Get a sense for how valuable a college education really is by
comparing earnings with and without a college degree.
VALUE OF COLLEGE CALCULATOR
WHEN THE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP
Feel like your financial aid award package isn't enough to make
college affordable? Don't lose hope. Learn about some steps that
you may be
able to take as part of the appeals process to financial aid
offices. While
college is expensive, it shouldn't leave you bankrupt.
TIPS ON HOW TO APPEAL YOUR AWARD
COLLEGE EXPENSE WORKSHEET
Develop a budget of all your college living expenses.
COLLEGE EXPENSE WORKSHEET
YOUR FINANCIAL AID AWARD EXPLAINED
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FINANCIAL AID AWARD
SELECTING A FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
Now come the letters you've been waiting for: financial aid award
letters. It is your task to sit down with your family and determine
which aid
award best meets your needs.
SELECTING A FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
HOW TO COMPARE FINANCIAL AID AWARDS
HOW TO COMPARE AWARDS
DEALING WITH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE: SHOULD YOU APPEAL YOUR AID
AWARD?
SHOULD YOU APPEAL?
FEDERAL STUDENT AID on the WEB
A portal of information on: Applying for College; Applying for
Financial Aid; Federal Student Aid.; Wizards and Searches; and
Publications.
STUDENT AID PORTAL
Salmen High School