MEFA Institute: Guidance on Managing the Impact of FAFSA Simplification for Senior College Officials
FAFSA Simplification, including the delayed availability of the FAFSA, has brought unprecedented changes to the financial aid process this year. The college admissions and financial aid cycle has been upended, with significant impact on the work of admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management administrators. Three higher education leaders and FAFSA experts provide guidance on how your institutions can manage these FAFSA changes and revised timeline this winter and spring while continuing to serve your prospective and current students.
The MEFA Institute<sup>™</sup>: A Deep Dive into the FAFSA
This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals provides a detailed overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including step-by-step instructions on completing the application, helpful tips on answering questions correctly, and important next steps.
Learn about Tuition Break, a Program That Can Help You Lower College Costs
Did you know that New England residents can enroll at out-of-state public colleges at a discount? In this webinar, presented by Jonathan Gowin, Director of Tuition Break for the New England Board of Higher Education, learn more about Tuition Break, a savings program specifically for New England residents that can save families approximately $9,000 per year. Over 2,500 degree programs are available.
The MEFA Institute<sup>™</sup>: Entrepreneurship as a Postsecondary Pathway
This webinar provides key information about the entrepreneurial mindset, showcases how entrepreneurship is a viable pathway for students after high school, and explores tools and resources that can be utilized in and out of the classroom. Hear from Adanma Ude, Regional Director of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a global educational nonprofit focused on bringing the power of entrepreneurship to youth. She is joined by NFTE alumni who share their postsecondary experiences.
SAVE Repayment Plan
There’s a new income-driven repayment option, SAVE, available for federal student loans. The SAVE plan increases the amount of protected discretionary income, forgives any interest that accrues each month that is not covered by the calculated monthly payment amount, and, starting in July 2024, will decrease the percentage of the discretionary income in the calculation. Learn more about the SAVE plan in our blog post.
Financial Aid 101
This webinar provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. Learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers.
Making the Most of College Fairs
College fairs can help with exploring college options. Located in various venues across the country, college fairs offer students and their families the opportunity to learn about a large number of colleges and universities all in one place. Before heading to a college fair, hear our tips in order to make the most of the opportunity. Tips include learning which colleges will be at the fair, finding out which colleges fit your preferences, preparing questions for the admissions representatives, exchanging contact information for further correspondence with the school, reviewing the event map, attending additional sessions, and allowing yourself time to browse. And to learn more about college fairs, visit https://www.mefa.org/college-fairs
Making a Distribution from Your U.Plan Account
You can use the funds from your U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program account to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at any one of the plan's participating colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Or you can cash out the funds to use elsewhere. This video walks you through the steps of how to access your savings when it comes time to pay the college bill.
The MEFA Institute<sup>™</sup>: Supporting Undocumented Students in the College Planning Process
While undocumented students face many barriers to college, it is still possible for them to get a college education. In this webinar, presented by Andrea Keenan, Director of College and Career Counseling at Excel Academy Charter Schools, attendees learn about admissions standards at both public and private universities, leading into a discussion about how to maximize credits and time for DACA and undocumented students through dual-enrollment and concurrent enrollment opportunities across states, high schools, and community colleges.
The MEFA Institute<sup>™</sup>: Counseling Students with Unique Circumstances in the Financial Aid Process
This webinar, presented by Suellen Dean, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Assumption University, Kevin DeRuosi, Associate Director of Special Programs and Compliance at Salem State University, and Karensa DiFonzo, Director of Student Financial Services at Wellesley College, provides guidance for school counselors and college access professionals in working with families with unique circumstances throughout the financial aid process. Topics include independent students, undocumented students, nontraditional parent families, and financial aid appeals.