FAFSA4caster : Estimating Your Financial Aid Need and Eligibility

The FAFSA4caster is an online tool that high school students can use when anticipating their need for financial assistance upon entering college.

It is an online calculator provided by the Federal Student Aid Office to students such as those in junior or mid school level, and to parents who are not sure if they have the means to send their child to college. The FAFSA4caster is the next best tool to use to get a close enough estimate of a student’s eligibility for financial aid.

Knowing that the government calculates financial need by deducting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Cost of Attendance (COA) is a good start. However, having a near accurate estimation of the inputs to use for the formula, is better than making a wild guesstimate. Through the FAFSA4caster tool, an anticipating high school student or parent can obtain better estimates of the COA and EFC.

How does the FAFSA4caster Work?

The FAFSA4caster displays a worksheet that must be filled with the Cost of Attendance (COA), such as tuition fees, other educational expenses and living costs of the student’s chosen school. To get the information you need, go to the College Scorecard page of the U.S. DepEd.

A household’s potential financial contribution, on the other hand, can be estimated by providing answers to the FAFSA4caster questionnaire that determines financial capability of a potential college student. Here, it is important that all questions will be given answers even if based on near-enough guesses or estimates. Be ready with some personal records as some questions need answers based on personal documents such as bank statements or federal tax returns.

After which, the tool will display several sources of college funds, whilst indicating eligibility for federal financial aid like Pell Grant, Direct Subsidized or Direct Unsubsidized Loan, or Federal Work-Study program. If there are any state aid or college financial assistance that a student or parent considers as potential source of college funding, fill in the appropriate worksheet fields with the amounts.

Hitting the “Calculate” button will summarize the total anticipated College Attendance Cost, and the total potential financial aid. The resulting difference between those 2 sums will be Net Cost of Attending College. The Worksheet will also generate the Expected Family Contribution.

Since the goal is to determine a student’s financial need, apply the amounts generated by the FAFSA4caster as Total Cost of Attendance (COA) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for the government formula: COA – EFC = Student’s Financial Aid Need.

What Financial Assistance Can a Resident of New Zealand Receive?

If there’s one word to describe New Zealand, it is surreal. Because of the natural beauty that New Zealand offers and a booming economy, it’s no wonder why many people would like to visit New Zealand. Many seniors are willing to invest their entire retirement savings to live a simple life in New Zealand.

Through the years, New Zealand has always demonstrated great culture. In recent years, the humble nation has developed incredibly as shown in its booming economy. While poverty had been a problem in many countries, poverty seems to be the least of the nation’s problem. Kiwis are by nature caring and had always shown a strong dedication to social welfare. In fact, in 1898, New Zealand had been the first nation throughout the world that had introduced pensions for the elders.

A look at Financial Benefits provided by The Social Welfare in New Zealand

  • Financial assistance is provided to those who are unable to work due to an illness or an accident
  • Assistance with retirement savings
  • Support for elders which includes New Zealand superannuation or old age pension as well as other financial and practical support.
  • Companies are provided to provide maternity leave for expecting mothers
  • Housing and accommodation assistance
  • Assistance package for families and for those working for families

Note: Beneficiaries are natural born citizens and residents who have been leaving in New Zealand for at least two years.

New Zealand Job Seeker Assistance

The Jobseeker Support is offered to those who were made redundant, laid off, or simply not able to work due to an accident or illness. There are numerous scenarios to qualify for the Jobseeker Support program. The top qualification requires that the applicant should have been living in New Zealand for no less than two years since being a recognized citizen of the country.

Should you be eligible, you will additionally get a Community Services Card for medical expenses such as visiting a doctor or to purchase prescribed medications.

Should you lose the capability to work as a result of redundancy or illness and that you have children 18 or under, you will additionally get a family tax credit from Inland Revenue even while you’re on a benefit.

Should you lose the ability to work due to an injury resulting from an accident, you may qualify for the ACC or the Accident Compensation Corporation. You could receive up to 80% of the taxable income that you used to be made prior to your personal injury.

Indeed, New Zealand is among the nations that foresee the needs of the people. Apart from financial assistance that the government available to those duly qualified, anyone can also get a quick loan. If you Need Money Now, there are many ways to gain access to cash so long as you are more than 18 years of age.