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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.
FAFSA Part I: Financial Aid & College Affordability Planning
Friday, November 13 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
FAFSA Part II: FAFSA Completion
Friday, November 20 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Student Aid Report (SAR) Review & Verification
Friday, December 4 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Financial Aid Offer Review
Friday, February 26 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Summer Transition & College Success
Friday, May 21 | 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.
FAFSA Part I: Financial Aid & College Affordability Planning
Friday, November 13 | 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 Part II: FAFSA Completion
Friday, November 20 | 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, December 4 | 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 26 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Help students make an informed college choice by effectively analyzing their financial aid award letters. Practice using the uAspire Award Letter Analyzer with real award letters and student case studies.
You’ll be able to:
- Use the uAspire Award Letter Analyzer to accurately compare college costs;
- Identify the ways that award letters can be misleading;
- Respond to sensitive or difficult student scenarios that may arise from award letter review.
Summer Transition & College Success
Friday, May 21 | 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.
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.