| Alignment with Standards:
| Essential Academic Learning Requirements Grades 9/10 Grade Level Expectations: This lesson is aligned with Reading 3.1.1 and Educational Technology 1.3.2 and 1.3.3. Students will analyze, evaluate, and use web-based and other resource materials to identify financial aid options.
Common Core State Standards Grades 11-12: This lesson is aligned with English Language Arts Reading 7 and Speaking and Listening 1d and 2. Students will integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information. They will analyze the purpose of information presented and respond appropriately to new information.
American School Counselor Association National Standards: This lesson is aligned with ASCA Academic B2.7 and C1.5 and with Personal & Social B1.12. Students will identify postsecondary options that are consistent with their interest, achievement, aptitude, and abilities. They will demonstrate understanding that school success is necessary for postsecondary success and will develop an action plan (in this case through financial aid procedures) to achieve their goals.
21st Century Skills:
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Self-direction: Self-instruction, Resources, Effective and sustained effort, Self-monitoring and reflection, Results are valuable
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Digital Communication: Electronic environments, Responsible behavior
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Problem Solving: Identifying and addressing obstacles, Identifying solutions, Solving the problem, Self-evaluation and reflection
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| Materials:
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Teacher Lesson
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Copies of hand outs:
Financial_Aid_Fundamentals
FAFSAScavengerHunt
FAFSAparent_intent_letter
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Computer/Internet Access
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| Implementation:
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Ask students about their prior knowledge of the term financial aid. Are they familiar with it? Do they have anyone in their family who has used financial aid or gone through the process? What are their insights in to the process? What went well or not so well in the process that they can remember?
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Show the following brief (1-3 minute) YouTube videos introducing FAFSA:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJ55UWMEFE&list=PL23B9A23CD8DD82DD&index=1
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRyXfUStHO0&list=PL23B9A23CD8DD82DD&index=2
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8JuaYVJ_LE&list=PL23B9A23CD8DD82DD&index=5
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Introduce college costs by distributing the Financial Aid Fundamentals
(Financial_Aid_Fundamentals)
handout and point to the College Costs table on the first page.
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Discuss How do your students plan to pay for college? Some may have clear plans, but (as research shows) many will not.
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Explain that college can be very expensive but that most students can get financial aid to help them.
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Review types of financial aid by having them focus on the How Will I Pay section of the handout.
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Review the five basic ways of paying for college:
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(1) savings and earnings
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(2) grants
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(3) scholarships
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(4) work study
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(5) loans
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Briefly discuss each of these sources of financial aid, and then explain that most students pay for college with a “package” of different sources of funding.
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A student might get a scholarship, a job and a loan, plus use some money from savings.
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Colleges propose a financial aid “package” for each student they admit.
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Go over the How Do I Get Financial Aid section of the handout and explain the three steps students should take to receive financial aid:
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(1) determine their eligibility for need-based aid through the FAFSA and/or CSS PROFILE
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(2) apply for scholarships through their college and department
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(3) identify scholarships through a scholarship match site such as theWashBoard.org. (*Students will complete practice scholarship activity in Scholarship Application lesson)
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(**Students will each need their own individual computer for the next activity.)
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Download the FAFSA Scavenger Hunt document
(
FAFSAScavengerHunt
)
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Using the websites listed on the hand out, complete the scavenger hunt.
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When students have completed their FAFSA Scavenger Hunt
(FAFSAScavengerHunt
)they will need to UPLOAD it with their name to the class Moodle site.
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When the FAFSA Scavenger Hunt is submitted, students need to download or get a hard copy of the letter to parents/guardians.
(FAFSAparent_intent_letter)
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Review the letter with students and discuss the importance of taking the time to fill out their FAFSA with their parent/guardian.
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They will be asked to fill out a brief form on the bottom of the
(FAFSAparent_intent_letter)
regarding their choice to fill out and return it promptly to their Senior Seminar teacher.
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| Additional Resources:
| Your school may wish to hold a Financial Aid Night to help families learn more about the FAFSA, CSS PROFILE, and theWashBoard.org. These resources will help students and families learn more about financial aid options.
FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, determines eligibility for financial aid
CSS PROFILE: https://profileonline.collegeboard.com
Financial aid application used by many private colleges
TheWashBoard.org: www.thewashboard.org
TheWashBoard.org is a free, web-based scholarship matching clearinghouse for Washington students. It is supported by the Washington Scholarship Coalition, a public/private partnership of foundations, non-profit organizations, and state agencies.
College Board Net Price Calculator: http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org/
Calculates the net estimated price for different colleges based on preliminary financial information about your family.
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