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2.2
Topic 2.2 Lesson Plan
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DISCUSSION PROMPT:
Where do students find the money to pay for college?
Discuss these questions with your classmates or with a partner
1. Who do you think provides the biggest source of financial aid to help students pay for college?
a. The government? The colleges themselves? Alumni? Private companies? Be sure to explain.
2. Describe what you know about the process you go through to access financial aid
1 5 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Discuss how to college will be financed
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INFOGRAPHIC:
The Financial Aid Process
In this lesson, we will be focusing on the 2nd stage of our Financial Aid Roadmap, the FAFSA: what it is, why it’s important, and how to apply it. Read the second section (labeled “FAFSA”) & answer these questions:
1. You have to file the FAFSA each year over the course of your college career. In what month is the FAFSA available & when is the best time to submit it?
2. Who uses the FAFSA once you have submitted it?
3. What do you receive after you submit the FAFSA
2 5 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Explain the role the FAFSA plays in the financial aid process
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VIDEO:
FAFSA Overview
The FAFSA is the gateway to financial aid. Watch this video to learn more about the FAFSA and the application process. Follow your teacher's directions to answer the questions either in the Google Form.
1. What is the purpose of the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid? (Select 2 answers)
2. True or False: Your parent/guardian can use your FSA ID to submit any information for your FAFSA application.
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE about filing the FAFSA?
4. Why is it best to file the FAFSA as early as possible? (Select 2 answers)
5. Which of the following does a college/university use to determine how much to award you in financial aid?
3 8 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Understand the importance of submitting the FAFSA
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PERSONAL STORY:
Student Voices: How to Pay for College
Some students underestimate the importance of filing the FAFSA and skip it altogether. Watch this video to hear how the FAFSA allowed one student to attend college because she received financial aid. What tips does she provide that you can use?
1. Some students underestimate the importance of filing the FAFSA and skip it altogether. After watching this video on how FAFSA allowed one student to attend college because she received financial aid write down some tips she provides that you can use.
4 5 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Understand key elements of the FAFSA form
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ARTICLE:
7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid
You know that the FAFSA is the key to getting financial aid. But what exactly is “financial aid”? Read through this website to find out! Then, answer these questions in the Google Form.
1. In your own words, define the term “financial aid”.
2. What types of financial aid does the FAFSA provide access to?
5 5 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Understand key elements of the FAFSA form
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INFOGRAPHIC:
Prep Work for FAFSA
Before sitting down to complete the FAFSA online, you want to make sure you have all the information you need. Take a look at this image and then fill out the questionnaire in the Google Form.
Be sure you have the following:
Social Security #
Driver’s License #
Alien Registration #
Record of Investments
Federal Student Aid PIN
Bank Statements
Records of Untaxed Income
Federal Tax Information
(On the 2023–24 FAFSA form, you’ll report 2021 tax or calendar year information when asked these questions)
6 10 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Evaluate your readiness to successfully complete your FAFSA form
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ARTICLE:
15 Questions You Need to Ask About FAFSA
While starting your financial aid process, it’s also a good idea to check in with colleges you’re interested in about financial aid. Read the 15 questions in this list and answer these questions:
Write down the top 3 questions from the list that you would want to ask a college financial aid representative from a college you’re interested in. Then, explain why you chose those 3
7 12 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Identify challenges students have that prevent them from submitting the FAFSA
Click icon for article
ARTICLE:
Understanding Your FAFSA Student Aid Report & the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
After submitting your FAFSA, you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) which includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Read this article to learn what these two items are & answer the questions in the Google Form.
Write down the top 3 questions from the list that you would want to ask a college financial aid representative from a college you’re interested in. Then, explain why you chose those 3
8 10 mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Identify challenges students have that prevent them from submitting the FAFSA
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ACTIVITY:
Analyzing a Student Aid Report
Follow the directions in this activity to become familiar with the information in your Student Aid Report and find out why that information is important in the college application process.
Follow the directions on the worksheet to complete this activity
9 15mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
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RESEARCH:
A Student Aid Report
An essential part of successfully submitting your FAFSA is managing the different deadlines during various stages of the application process. It is not unheard of for students to miss out on financial aid opportunities simply because they missed the deadlines! Complete this activity to make sure you never miss an important financial aid deadline.
Follow the directions on the worksheet to complete this activity
10 40mins
In this activity, students will be able to:
Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
ARTICLES
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Publisher: U.S. News and World Report
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Publisher: Student Loan Hero
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