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uAspire Trainings for School Counselors
brough to you by North Coast Cal-SOAP
North Coast Cal-SOAP has partnered with uAspire to bring you a series of five virtual trainings that will take place over the course of the school year.
uAspire is a nonprofit organization with over 30 years’ experience in financial aid advising and providing expert tools. Cal-SOAP has additional funds this year which is being used to bring these trainings to our community.
uAspire Training Schedule
Registration links are in the Course Details.
Financial Aid & College Affordability Planning
Friday, October 8 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
FAFSA Completion Part I
Friday, October 15 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
FAFSA Completion Part II
Friday, October 22 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Student Aid Report (SAR) Review & Verification
Friday, November 12 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Financial Aid Offer Review
Friday, February 11, 2022 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Summer Transition & College Success
Friday, April 8, 2022 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Attendee Tip: Try to complete the CSAC workshop (see below) prior to uAspire’s FAFSA Part I and II.
uAspire trainings have been customized to build upon and not duplicate the CSAC training
CSAC Annual Statewide Financial Aid Workshops
The California Student Aid Commision’s Annual Statewide Financial Aid Workshops involve a three-hour Primary Session that covers updates to the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and an overview of the Cal Grant programs and other programs for foster youth, as well as an optional 1.5-hour Secondary Session that goes more in-depth on WebGrandts and the CA Dream Act Application.
Each session will be repeated a total of 10 times between September and November, with the same content presented each time, so you can pick the one(s) that work best for your schedule.
Financial Aid & College Affordability Planning
Friday, October 8 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Develop your skills and knowledge of the college affordability timeline and financial aid, with a student-centered approach. Learn to take inventories of students’ financial situations and specific needs.
You’ll be able to:
- Explain the different types of financial aid and how to apply;
- Identify the characteristics of a financial safety school;
- Assess a student’s financial aid needs based on their college list and family circumstances.
FAFSA Completion
Part I: Friday, October 15 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Part II: Friday, October 22 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Master this crucial financial aid form by practicing complex scenarios, learning to complete the financial section with confidence, and gaining best practices for working with special student populations.
You’ll be able to:
- Determine whether a student is considered independent or dependent, and whom to report as the parent(s);
- Complete the financial sections for different family financial situations;
- Identify key resources to support accurate FAFSA completion.
Student Ait Report (SAR) Review & Verification
Friday, November 12 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Navigate students through the many steps and common challenges of FAFSA follow-up, including Student Aid Report (SAR) review and the confusing, often burdensome, verification process.
You’ll be able to:
- Explain the difference between FAFSA submission and FAFSA completion;
- Identify and troubleshoot the most common SAR notifications;
- Name best practices for helping students complete the verification process.
Financial Aid Offer Review
Friday, February 11 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Help students accurately compare college costs and make an informed college choice by analyzing their financial aid offers. Practice using uAspire’s College Cost Calculator with real aid offers and student case studies.
You’ll be able to:
- Identify ways aid offers can be confusing and even misleading
- Define and explain aid offer jargon in student-friendly terms
- Respond to difficult scenarios that may arise for students during aid offer review
- Use the College Cost Calculator to accurately compare college costs
Summer Transition & College Success
Friday, April 8 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Reduce “summer melt” and dropping out by supporting students with critical financial aid activities during the summer and onto campus, so they can successfully transition to college.
You’ll be able to:
- Identify the steps students must take to matriculate and maintain and renew their financial aid;
- Identify risk factors for violating Satisfactory Academic Progress;
- Troubleshoot common financial issues that prevent students from persisting.