FAFSA FRENZY
IN FEBRUARY
Feb 7th & 8th
Feb 21st & 22nd
In order for students to also be considered for Maryland state grants for college, you must fill out your
FAFSA application by March 1, 2015. Join us for free assistance filling out your FAFSA.
Expert
Advice On
Federal
Financial
Aid
All Washington Co.
Students That
Complete Their
FAFSA Can Enter A
Drawing To Win A
$500 Scholarship!*
*Details On GHC Education Forum Facebook
Page Or See Your Guidance Counselor
Feb 9th
Free Workshops
February:
Sat. 7 th : 10 am -5 pm
Sun. 8 th: 10 am -4 pm
Sat. 21 st : 10 am -5 pm
Sun. 22 nd : 10 am -4 pm
V ALLEY M ALL
J UST O FF C ENTER C OURT
B ESIDE A EROPOSTLE
GET MONEY FOR COLLEGE
Free Help Filling Out FAFSA
Join us for expert financial aid advice and free assistance filling out the “Free Application
For Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). This is the only application used to apply for federal
grants and loans to attend college next year. Bring a parent (if possible) and any 2014
Tax Returns (if available) or your parent’s W-2’s. You can bring your own computer or
use one of our computers to fill out the form online. Free Internet access. Trained
volunteers will be available to help you through the process. Most FAFSA’s can be filled
out in 30 minutes if you have the required information available. Space is limited so we
recommend reserving your time. More information is available on back page. For
questions or to reserve a time, contact:
Email: [email protected] or call 301-797-2485
Visit our Facebook Page: facebook.com/GHCEducationForum
Event Sponsored By: The Washington County Public School Education Foundation and
The Greater Hagerstown Committee Education Forum with support from:
WCPS, USMH, Frostburg University, Hagerstown Community College, Kaplan University,
Washington Co. Free Library, The Herald Mail, and The Valley Mall
Basic FAFSA & Federal Financial Aid Information:
(Note: some of the information below may change as new 2015-16 Department of Education guidelines are created):
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application used to apply for federal grants
and loans. This application is filled out annually and is based on tax information from the prior year. In order
to also qualify for Maryland state grants, Maryland requires you to file your FAFSA by March 1, 2015.
Information required for the FAFSA:
 Student & parent (if applicable) legal names – as they appear on the Social Security card
 Student & parent (if applicable) Social Security numbers and Date of Birth
 2014 tax return for student and parent OR all 2014 W2s for student & parent (if applicable)
 Colleges you wish to list on the FAFSA that will receive your information
 We recommend that at least one parent attend the free workshop with the student
To save time at the workshop, you may wish to fill out the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet;
it can be found online at: https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1516/pdf/fafsaws15c.pdf
You can also get your Federal Student Aid PIN # ahead of time by going to: http://www.pin.ed.gov/
Federal aid is based on your “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC). Your EFC does not take into account whether or
not your parents actually contribute to your education; only what the Federal government feels they have the ability to
contribute should they decide to do so. Depending on your EFC, you may be eligible for the following types of aid:
 Pell Grant – need-based federal grant that ranges from $0 - $5730 per award year. This is “free money” from
the federal government that does not need to be repaid.
 Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) – need-based federal grant awarded to those with the
lowest EFC. This is “free money” from the federal government that does not need to be repaid.
 Stafford Subsidized Loan – need-based federal loan that does not accrue interest while in school. This is a
loan that must be repaid.
 Stafford Unsubsidized Loan – non need-based federal loan that accrues interest upon disbursement to the
school. This is a loan that must be repaid.
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans offer the following benefits:
 Not based on credit history
 One time 6-month grace period - you are not required to begin paying your loan until 6 months after you
graduate, leave school, or enroll in less than 6 credits.
 Standard payment plan is 10 years. There are several other repayment plans including extended, graduated,
and income-contingent repayment options. You can extend your payments to lower the monthly payments or
pay the loan off earlier without penalties.
 Interest rate – currently fixed at 4.66% (Undergrad) subsidized or unsubsidized and 6.21% (Grad)
unsubsidized
 Origination fee – currently 1.073%
Federal Parent Direct Plus Loan (available for dependent students only)
 Interest – currently 7.21% Direct
 Origination fee – currently 4.288%
 Solely in parent’s name
 Approval based on credit – if denied student is eligible for additional federal student loans
 Payment begins after full loan disbursement approximately 6 months after the student begins classes
 Standard payment plan – Up to 10 years
Here are some helpful websites if you would like more information on FAFSA and Federal Student Aid:
 FAFSA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
 Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov/
If you have additional questions or would like to reserve a time at attend the workshop please
email: [email protected] or call 301-797-2485