CCN 2017 Presentation Topics:

Scholarships and Grants:

With college tuition costs steadily on the rise, understanding financial aid is incredibly important. Too many people think the only way to avoid massive college debt is a perfect SAT score, or fantastic three-point shooting, or proving dire financial need. This presentation will show you that you don’t need perfect grades, a superhuman throwing arm, or a negative bank balance to get money for a college education. Scholarships are available from many, many sources. They are, in effect, free money. They don’t need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. In this presentation, you’ll learn:

• How scholarships, grants, and education loans work How and when to apply for scholarships
• What “financial need” means
• How educational loans can be incredibly useful, or dangerous, depending on how they are used

Understanding the New FSA Process:

We’ll review the FSA ID process, the changes to the FAFSA filing cycle, and the FAFSA itself. In the FAFSA review, Ms. Foster will provide an overview helpful to first-time filers and veterans. She will pay special attention to the areas of confusion for both students and parents. Questions will be taken after the presentation’s conclusion.