College aid stuff from last night

Last evening, I attended the Financial Aid information session at Schenley presented by PHEAA with additional information on the Pittsburgh Promise. I am surprised that there have been very few substantial changes in student aid since I "retired" as a financial aid counselor at the community college 20 years ago. The amounts have changed of course but the types of aid and the procedures for applying are basically the same. A few key points:

1. Complete the FAFSA form even if you do not think that you will qualify for state or federal grants. Many colleges will want the information on file before awarding any institutional money. Also, if your child is a 2008 or later graduate of a Pittsburgh city school who meets the attendance requirements, the FAFSA will be required for the Pittsburgh Promise. Even if he/she does not plan at this time to attend one of the qualifying schools (Allegheny County school or state university or state related), plans do change. He/she is eligible for up to $5000. If he/she starts out of state but decides to come home to PA after a semester, part of that money would still be available.

2. File the FAFSA as early as possible. Even if you do not file your income taxes before April 1, it is important to file the FAFSA using estimated numbers as soon as possible. Some campus-based aid is limited so it is good to have your application in as soon as possible. It also might help make that decision of which school to choose, based on the aid that they are offering.

3. Ms. Hargrave, from the local PHEAA, gave several web sites for additional information.
EducationPlanner.org
PHEAA.org
collegeboard.org

Eddie Jones, from PPS central office spoke briefly about the Pittsburgh Promise. They are still working on the Promise and additional information will continue to be released. The list of eligible schools contains 65 public and private schools in Pennsylvania, although a number of those schools are branch campuses of the major universities, Penn State and Pitt. Technical schools, such as the Bidwell Training Center, ITT Tech, Culinary Institute, in Allegheny County are eligible. The student must be in at least a certificate program. There is an incentive for remaining in the city system. A child who attends k-12 is eligible for up to $5000 per year; 1-12, up to 95% of $5000; and 9-12, up to 75% of $5000. As the program is further established and the proposed graduation exam is in place, the amount will rise to $10,000 per year.

My apologies to the representative from NEED; I forgot to write her name. She spoke very briefly on the college/career advising program. On February 11, NEED is co-sponsoring with Schenley a workshop to help with the completion of the FAFSA form. Please see the information below:




-----Original Message-----
From: Arlene Tyler [mailto:ATyler@needld.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:00 PM
Subject: UPDATED * FAFSA Completion Workshop Flyer










NEED "preparing the workforce of tomorrow with educational assistance today"

Arlene Tyler Holland
NEED . Student Services Department
PHONE: 412.566.2760 . FAX: 412.471.6643 . WEBSITE: www.needld.org
United Way Contributor Choice Code: 250 . Combined Federal Campaign Code: 33076
EMAIL: Atyler@needld.org

Since 1963 offering "last dollar" funding and helping young African Americans learn about, aspire to, prepare for, apply to, and complete college.

NEED has MOVed
EFFECTIVE November 1, 2007 the new address is:
Warner CENTRE, 332 Fifth Avenue, First Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222