Soaring to the Future

GKHS Careers Lesson Plan 2012-2013

Grade 12

Date / Section / Topic / Supplies
January 7 & 8, 2013 / CAREER / ·  Scholarships / Financial Aid Information Handout

Learning Target:

I will understand the three types of financial aid.

I will know how to apply for financial aid.

Agenda

Monday, January 7 & Tuesday, January 8

Announcements

·  #2 Best Work & Reflection and Reading Reflection #1 are due January 8. These should be placed in the LEARNER section of the portfolio.

·  Announcements

o  Scholarships are waiting for you! Did you know that you can win scholarships for your ability to tell the future, wear a duct tape suit to prom, or duck calling? Scholarship help is available after school every Wednesday this month in the Career Center. Mrs. Woyak will be available to answer questions, review essays, and help you with your scholarship search. Be ready to get on the computer!

o  Don’t forget to complete a FAFSA application this month! This is for ANY college. See Mrs. Woyak in the Career Center if you need help or have questions.

Financial Aid Information

·  Hand each student the Financial Aid Information handout.

·  Students planning to attend any college this fall must complete the FAFSA this month to receive financial aid for next school year.

o  Go through the information on the front page of the packet.

Financial Aid Information
www.studentaid.gov
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
·  This is the first step in the financial aid process.
·  Determines your eligibility for federal student aid programs (grants, loans, work-study).
·  FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible beginning January 1. Many colleges have a February 1 due date.
·  Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
MERIT-BASED V NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID
Merit-Based Financial Aid
·  Scholarships awarded to students who meet specific requirements such as:
o  Academic Achievement
o  A particular talent or skill
o  Community Service
o  Leadership/School Activities
Need-Based Financial Aid
·  Based on the cost of college and on the student’s and his/her family’s ability to pay college costs.
·  Loans, federal grants, and work-study are need-based financial aid.
·  Students/parents MUST complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for need-based financial aid.
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Grants and Scholarships
·  Grants and scholarships are FREE sources of money and do not have to be repaid.
·  Students may be required to maintain certain criteria to keep their scholarship/grant.
·  Scholarships are offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
·  Federal grants are awarded to students based on financial need.
Loans
·  An education loan must eventually be repaid.
·  Often, payments do not begin until the student finishes school.
·  The interest rate on education loans is commonly lower than for other types of loans.
·  Direct Subsidized Loans
o  US Dept of Education pays the interest
§  While you are in school at least half time.
§  For the first six months after you leave school (grace period).
§  During a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
o  The college determines the amount you may borrow.
·  Direct Unsubsidized Loans
o  No requirement to demonstrate financial need.
o  The college determines the amount you may borrow.
o  You are responsible for paying the interest during all periods.
Work Study
·  A part-time Work-Study job may be a part of a student’s financial aid package from a college.
·  The jobs are usually on campus and the money earned is used to pay for tuition or other education expenses. Employment may also be community service work or work related to the student’s course of study.

Scholarship Search on CareerCruising.com

·  The back page of the Financial Aid Information handout includes directions to search for scholarships on CareerCruising.com. If you have time, go over this information with students.

Scholarship Search on CareerCruising.com
Career Cruising’s database includes details on thousands of private scholarships, grants, awards, fellowships, and other assistance programs that you can store in your Career Cruising portfolio. Use the Financial Aid Selector to learn about scholarship programs that can help you pay for your education.
1.  Log on to CareerCruising.com (username: Graham, password: Kapowsin)
2.  On the Main page, click on the Portfolio button in the top menu bar and log into your portfolio. If you don’t have a Career Cruising portfolio, create one!
3.  Click on the Scholarships & Financial Aid button on your Portfolio homepage. Select Financial Aid Selector from the submenu.
4.  Click o the Financial Aid Selector link.
5.  Use the blue buttons on the left to fill in information about yourself and your intended education path. For best results, please answer all the questions. Once you have made your selections, click on the gray View Results button to see scholarships that match your selections.
6.  Use the gray Save To My Portfolio button to save your Financial Aid Selector results to the Scholarships & Financial Aid section of your portfolio. To view saved results, click on the Scholarships & Financial Aid button on your portfolio homepage and select Financial Aid Selector from the submenu.
7.  Click on the name of a scholarship to learn more about the award, including eligibility, application information and deadline, and the name of the donor or sponsor. To save a specific scholarship, click on the Save To My Portfolio link at the top of the Scholarship Details page. To view saved scholarships, click on the Scholarships & Financial Aid button on your Portfolio homepage and select My Saved Scholarships from the submenu.

Closing

·  Students must complete the FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility for any college (2-year, technical, and 4-year). Some scholarships also require FAFSA information.

·  See Mrs. Woyak in the Career Center if you need help with the FAFSA.