Paying for College Unit

Students will be able to:

• Explain the role the FAFSA plays in the financial aid process 
• Understand the importance of submitting the FAFSA
• Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in paying for college

Students will be able to:

• Explain why scholarships and grants should be prioritized when looking for and accepting financial aid
• Explain the difference between scholarships and grants 
• Find scholarships and grants that they are eligible for

Students will be able to:

• Explain what it means to be a responsible borrower
• Analyze different types of federal student loans
• Compare federal and private student loans
• Analyze hypothetical and personal scenarios involving college and career decisions that impact their ability to pay for college

Students will be able to:

• Discuss the direct and indirect costs of attending college
• Explain the important elements of a financial aid offer
• Analyze different sample financial aid offers
• Demonstrate the order in which different types of financial aid should be accepted

Students will be able to:

• Discuss common mistakes made in repaying student loans
• Explain the difference between different types of repayment plans
• Identify sources of assistance if they need help with student loan repayment
• Analyze different scenarios and choose the best repayment option

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the quantitative and qualitative benefits of going to college
• Explain the importance of researching expected starting salaries when choosing a college and major
• Understand common costs associated with college
• Explain the difference between sticker price and net price
• Have a conversation with their parents or guardians about paying for college

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the role the FAFSA plays in the financial aid process
• Understand the importance of submitting the FAFSA
• Apply for the FAFSA
• Identify misconceptions and challenges students have that prevent them from submitting the FAFSA
• Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain why scholarships and grants should be their 1st pick when looking for and accepting financial aid
• Understand the difference between scholarships and grants
• Find scholarships and grants that they are eligible for
• Identify signs of scholarship and grant scams and steps to take to protect themselves

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the rising national trends in student debt
• Compare federal and private loans and explain what it means to take out each type of loan
• Identify various strategies they can use to be a responsible borrower
• Analyze three student profiles to determine the best course of action to take for their student loans

In this lesson, students will be able to

• Understand what a financial aid package is and when they should expect to receive one from a college
• Read and compare different financial aid award letters
• Explain the order in which they should accept different types of aid and when they will receive that aid
• Identify strategies and resources they can use if their financial aid is not sufficient to cover the cost of attendance

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of a budget
• Identify common challenges college students face when trying to stick to a budget
• Envision their college career and make choices that will impact their college budget
• Identify their needs and wants
• Create a monthly college budget

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify steps they can take to prepare for student loan repayment
• Understand the different loan repayment options available to them
• Explain how student loan payments work
• Identify the consequences of not making student loan payments
• Compare different loan repayment options such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation, and more