Facts About Student Aid
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Facts About Student Aid

 

Most Connecticut sources of student financial aid are administered by the financial aid offices at Connecticut's institutions of higher education. Connecticut residents who wish to apply for financial aid should contact college financial aid offices.

 

Basic Facts of Student Aid

Basic Types of Student Aid

Facts about the FAFSA

Defining your Financial Need

FACTS about Loans

7 Facts to Remember

Important Steps

To Learn More...

National Information Sources

Connecticut Information Sources

Major Sources of Financial Aid for Connecticut Students

Basic Facts of Student Aid

  1. Students receive financial aid from a variety of sources. You may be eligible for assistance from the federal or state government, civic or church groups, your parents’ employer or union, or colleges themselves.
     
  2. The beginning of your senior year in high school is the best time to start inquiring about financial aid. Your best sources of information are the financial aid offices at the colleges you wish to attend.
     
  3. As you research colleges, make sure to visit each college's financial aid webpage.  Make a note of all deadlines, and what financial aid forms are required.

Basic Types of Student Aid

  1. Grants and scholarships are outright gifts of money that don't have to be repaid.
  2. Loans are borrowed funds that usually must be repaid with interest.
  3. Part-time jobs are opportunities provided by colleges to work and earn money.

Student aid often is a combination of all three, known as a financial aid “package.” The amount of your package depends on your financial need. Most federal and state aid is awarded based on financial need rather than academic merit; your financial need is determined by the information contained on your Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

You can find out early if you qualify for federal aid by accessing Federal Student Aid Estimator, but you will still need to complete the actual FAFSA® by accessing FAFSA Application .

The federal government also assists college students through the Lifetime Learning Credit — a tax credit program for which you and your family may be eligible when completing your federal tax return.  For more information, go to: www.irs.gov/Individuals/Students.

Facts about the FAFSA

All colleges will ask you to file a FAFSA, and most students do so online at FAFSA Application | Federal Student Aid.

You must complete a FAFSA to apply for state and federal financial aid.  The information contained in this application is used to determine your eligibility.

You can file your FAFSA as early as October 1 of each year.  In order to complete your 2024-25 FAFSA you will use your, or your family's 2022 Federal income tax information.

The needs analysis service will review your FAFSA. Based on this analysis, you will be assigned a Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

Defining your Financial Need

The needs analysis considers your parents’ income, your earnings and your family’s net assets (cash, bank accounts, trusts, investments) to determine your SAI. Home equity is not considered in the needs analysis calculation for federal and state aid. Home equity may, however, be considered by the college in determining your eligibility for institutional aid.

 

The needs analysis also takes into account some family expenses. These include income taxes paid, number of family members, and your parents' need to save for retirement.

 

The colleges to which you apply will review the results of the needs analysis to make a final determination on how much you and your family are expected to contribute toward your educational costs.

 

To meet your determined financial need, the college may combine various types of aid into a financial aid package. This package may include grants, scholarships, a part-time job and loans. If your award includes a Federal Direct Loan, you will need to complete a separate Master Promissory Note.

 

Some colleges require you to complete forms in addition to the FAFSA, some of which carry a fee. Usually these colleges provide large amounts of institutional aid. They need added information for a more accurate picture of your family’s financial circumstances.

 

Within two weeks after completing your FAFSA online, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This report gives information on your eligibility for a Pell Grant. Read it carefully. The college will use the information on the SAR in deciding whether to include a Pell Grant in your financial aid award, if you are eligible.

FACTS about Loans

If you intend to borrow from a federal student loan program to finance your education, consult with your college aid officer to determine the application procedure at that particular college.

The most attractive educational loans are those targeted to financially needy students. These loans — Federal Direct Loans and Perkins Loans — require no interest or repayment while the borrower is in school.

Students who do not qualify for need-based aid also have a borrowing opportunity available in the federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program.

Parents may borrow through the federal PLUS Loan Program and a variety of supplemental educational loan programs which your college aid officer can tell you about.

As with any loan, make sure you fully understand the interest rates, repayment terms and tax implications. Find out whether interest charges are variable or fixed, whether the loan has forgiveness or deferment provisions, whether you can consolidate the loan with other loans, and whether it carries prepayment penalties. Borrow only what you need. Remember that loans must be repaid even if you do not finish college.

Facts to Remember

Fact 1: The amount of financial aid for which you will qualify is determined by your financial need. Though your Student Aid Undex (SAI) will usually remain the same from college to college, your financial need will increase or decrease depending upon the costs of the college.

Fact 2: Your need for financial aid will be more at a higher cost college than at a lower cost school. However, this does not necessarily mean that either the higher cost college or the lower cost college will be able to provide you with financial aid that is sufficient to meet your financial need.

Fact 3: Colleges handle “outside scholarships” differently. In some cases, an outside scholarship will not impact your college aid package; some colleges will reduce your loan portion of the package by the amount of the outside scholarship and others will withdraw institutional grant aid by the amount of the scholarship.

Fact 4: You must apply for aid each year. Always check with your college to find out if they have an application deadline.

Fact 5: Contact all colleges to which you are applying to learn about financial aid deadlines.

Fact 6: College is a substantial investment, but it’s the most important one you can make in your future. Take time to learn all of your financial aid options before you make any college decision. College financial aid officers can help you find ways to pay for your education.

Important Steps

File your FAFSA early.
Missing your college’s
FAFSA priority deadline could prevent you from receiving some types of federal, state, or institutional financial aid.  Pay attention and follow deadlines.

Do your homework.
Find out about your college’s financial aid application process – make sure you get any and all forms and remember deadlines.

Open your mail.
Open everything that comes in the mail or by email from the colleges to which you are applying, especially information from financial aid offices. Don’t miss out on an important part of your aid package because you did not complete a form.

You are your best advocate!
Do your research, follow deadlines, and be in touch with your school’s financial aid office. Remember the phrase “The squeaky wheel gets the grease?”  Stay on top of your financial aid needs.

To Learn More...

Your best resource is the financial aid office at the college or university you wish to attend. Contact financial aid offices at the same time you submit your admission application.

Often a checklist can help with academic and financial planning.  Checklists for elementary, middle and high school students and their parents, prepared by the U.S. Department of Education, are available at Checklists for Academic and Financial Preparation.

National Information Sources

Federal Student Aid on the Web – https://studentaid.gov
… information from the U.S. Department of Education on planning, preparing and paying for postsecondary education.

Financial Aid Information Page – www.FinAid.org
… click on $Scholarships to access a wide selection of search databases. Click on Calculators for tools to determine college costs, savings goals, and how much financial aid you may need.

FastWeb – www.fastweb.com
… a highly popular, customized financial aid search site.

EFC Calculator – www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml
… use this tool to estimate your Expected Family Contribution.

College Board – www.collegeboard.org
… information on the SAT and other testing, college planning.

College Navigator – www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
… information on the SAT and other testing, college planning.

Federal Trade Commission – www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams
… information on scholarship scams and how to avoid them.

Connecticut Information Sources

CT Talent Assistance Cooperative/Educational Opportunity Center (Central Office)
(203) 634-7669, ext. 10
www.conntacinc.org

CT Higher Education Trust
(a 529 college savings program)
(888) 799-CHET (2438)
www.aboutchet.com

Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA)
(800) 252-3357
www.chesla.org


Major Sources of Financial Aid for Connecticut Students*

Grants & Scholarships

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: Pell Grant

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled as a college undergraduate.

For 2023-24, up to $7,395 a year.

Financial need

Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at Studentaid.gov.

Federal: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled as a college undergraduate.

Up to $4,000 a year.

Financial need

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

A student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/01.  Must be ineligible for a federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than required to receive Pell funds.  Must be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent's or guardian's death.

Equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year, not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.

Financial need

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Federal:  TEACH Grant

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student. Be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in course work necessary to begin a career in teaching. Students must score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Up to $4,000 a year. If a student does not follow through with all teaching requirements, the total amount of the grant converts to an unsubsidized Stafford Loan with interest due from the date of the first TEACH Grant.

Intent to teach and
academic merit

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

State: Roberta B. Willis Need-Merit Scholarship Program

CT resident who is a high school senior or graduate with a high school junior year class rank of 20% or better and/or SAT scores of at least 1200 or ACT score of at least 25.  Recipient must attend a four-year CT public or non-profit private college.

Up to $5,250 a year for full-time attendance in a 4-year program of study; up to $4,650 a year for full-time attendance in a 2-year program of study.

Allowable federal
SAI and academic merit

Complete a Roberta B. Willis Scholarship application, through high school guidance offices, by February 15, and submit a (FAFSA) by February 15.

State: Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Grant Program

CT resident who attends a four-year CT public or non-profit private college.  Recipient must have a federal SAI within the allowable range.

Up to $4,500 for full-time study in a 2- or 4-year program of study.

Allowable federal SAI

Submit a (FAFSA).  Contact your college's financial aid office about any institutional filing deadlines.

Loans for Undergraduates

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: Perkins Loan

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Undergraduates can borrow up to $4,000 a year; $20,000 total with a 5% fixed interest rate.

Available federal funds and financial need

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Federal: Direct Subsidized Loan (interest paid by government while borrower is in school)

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Up to $5,500 a year for 1st-year students, $6,500 a year for 2nd-year students, $7,500 a year for 3rd-year students and beyond. Total amount for undergraduate study: $23,000.
Fixed interest rate of 4.99% for new loans since 7/1/23.

Financial need

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Federal: Direct Unsubsidized Loan (interest paid or accrued by borrower while borrower is in school)

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution.

For dependent undergraduates, the annual and aggregate limits are the same as the Stafford Loan (see above); for independent undergraduates, up to $9,500 a year for 1st-year students (no more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans), $10,500 a year for 2nd-year students (no more than $4,500 of this in subsidized loans), $12,500 a year for 3rd-year students and beyond (no more than $5,500 of this in subsidized loans).
Fixed interest rate of 4.99%.

Cost of attendance

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Loans for Graduate Students

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: Direct Unsubsidized Loan
 

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Annual maximum loan amount is $20,500. Up to $8,500 of this amount may be subsidized. Cumulative loan limit of $65,500 for undergraduate and graduate borrowing. (Certain medical school students may be able to borrow up to $40,500 a year with a cumulative limit of $189,125.) Fixed interest rate of 6.54%.

Financial need and cost of attendance

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate or first-professional student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Annual maximum is determined by the Cost of Attendance (COA) less any financial aid received, including Federal Stafford loan eligibility. Fixed interest rate of 7.54%.

Credit history

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

 

Loans for Families

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: PLUS Loan

Parents who wish to borrow to help pay for their child’s education.

May annually borrow up to full cost of education less other aid. Graduate students also may borrow through the PLUS loan program. Fixed interest rate of 7.54%.

Credit history

Contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at StudentAid.gov.

State:  CHESLA Loan Family with student enrolled at least half-time in a CT public or non-profit private college or a CT resident enrolled at least half-time in a public or non-profit private college anywhere in the U.S. May annually borrow up to full cost of education less other aid at a low fixed interest rate 6.35%.  Family only pays interest during in-school years.  Graduate and professional students may capitalize interest while in school.  Upon completion of college, the loan is paid off over 140 months. Ability to repay loan and credit history Apply through the CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA).

 

Loan Forgiveness

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: Perkins Loan

Perkins Loan borrowers who have served full-time in a public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school as a teacher in a school serving low-income students or a special-education teacher or a teacher in the fields of mathematics, science, foreign languages or bilingual education or other state-designated teacher shortage field.

Cancellation up to 100% of loan balance; 15% canceled for the 1st and 2nd years of teaching, 20% canceled for the 3rd and 4th years of service and 30% canceled for the 5th year of service.

N/A

Speak with a counselor at your college's financial aid office.
 

Federal: William D. Ford Direct Loan Program Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Borrowers who enter or are in full-time public service jobs and have made 120 payments on any of the following non-defaulted loan types: Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans and Federal Direct Consolidation Loans.

Any remaining balances after the borrower has made 120 consecutive, on-time payments, on their eligible loans.

N/A

Apply online.

Work Opportunities for Students

Program

Who is Eligible

Amounts (may vary)

Basis of Selection

How & When to Apply

Federal: Work-Study

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien enrolled as an undergraduate or a graduate student.

Varies, based on wages and hours worked.

Financial need

Submit a FAFSA and contact college financial aid office.
More information is available at
StudentAid.gov.

 



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