FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION – SENIOR ACA
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Monica Masini
[email protected]
(847) 636-1259
Hello! My job is to assist students in the college going process. That means that I am able to work with you on career exploration, college selection, test preparation, scholarship searches, application completion, and the financial aid process. If you prefer to meet during school hours I have office hours at Maine West on Tuesdays from 9:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m. I can also meet you outside of school if needed.
To schedule an appointment, please email me or call me using the information above.
Overview of Financial Aid Process
Types of Financial Aid
About Financial Aid
Financial Aid is a federally funded program. To qualify, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The federal government prefers the online version, and you will get a faster response if you file online. You can fill out the FAFSA beginning October 1st of your senior year.
IT IS BEST TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA is BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK! Do not wait until April to complete your FAFSA. Many colleges have deadlines for financial aid, and the money will get allocated to those who apply early. Thus, you and your parents will need to use ESTIMATES of your income.
Click on the video below to learn more about the FAFSA:
Steps to Getting Started
1. Create a FSA ID – The FSA ID is your electronic passport to federal student aid online. An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). In order to create an FSA ID, please go to: https://fsaid.ed.gov
To access an instructional video on how to create a FSA ID, click below:
2. GO TO FAFSA.GOV – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October 1st of your senior year.
Click below for a video on how to fill out the FAFSA:
Financial Aid Events
You don’t need to figure this all out on your own! We have numerous district programs to help understand the financial aid process. Parents can plan to begin attending these programs during their children’s freshman and sophomore years in order to prepare appropriately for college.
District Financial Aid Programs for 2018-19 @ Maine West
Wed. March 13th 7-8:30pm
Need help with financial aid? Attend the Maine Township programs to get a clear understanding of what financial aid involves and how to apply.
FAFSA Completion Workshop at Maine West
For seniors and their parents only
Thursdays in the CCRC: 8:35 AM – 3:15 PM
Assistance will be available in English and Spanish. Financial Aid Officers will be available to help students and their parents complete the FAFSA on the Web. Students may come during their free periods. They may also get a pass from a teacher to attend. A representative from ISAC will be available to answer questions and assist with your FAFSA.
Material to bring for FAFSA Completion Workshop
- FSA ID (studentaid.ed.gov) – one for the student and one for the parent(s)
- Driver’s License (student)
- Social Security Number (student and parents)
- If not a U.S. citizen, Alien Registration Number (student)
- Copies of 2015 income tax returns (or 2014 if 2015 is not yet complete)
(i.e. 1040, 1040EZ-student and parents)
- Copies of 2015 W-2 forms (student and parents)
- Copies of any bank statements (student and parents)
- Records of business, farm, and/or assets (stocks, bonds, and other investments)
- Current mortgage statements for properties other than the family’s principal residence
Important Websites
www.fafsa.ed.gov – The Federal Government’s website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.studentaid.ed.gov – The Department of Education’s informational website for planning for and funding post-high school education
www.collegeillinois.org – The State of Illinois’ website for students and parents. It has resources on many different topics related to college planning and paying for college.
studentaid.ed.gov – Get your pin number for the FAFSA on the Web.
http://mappingyourfuture.org/paying/debtwizard/index.cfm – How much debt is safe for college loans? Look at this website for information.
www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide – A comprehensive guide about the federal student aid programs. It is available in English and Spanish.
College Resources for Hispanic Students Provides a variety of resources for students and their parents. These include scholarships, undocumented students, first generation students, and more.