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15 Questions to Ask Your Financial Aid Office
What to ask to get the information you need.
By Carrie Greenberg and Mark Kantrowitz
April 21, 2009
1. What types of financial aid do you offer? What are the requirements for need-based aid and for merit-based aid?
2. How much debt do students have when they graduate? What percentage of students graduate with debt?
3. If I get a work-study job, how many hours will I be required to work per week? Are part-time jobs available to students who don’t qualify for a work-study job?
4. Do you offer a tuition payment plan that lets me pay the college bills in monthly installments over the academic year? If so, what fees do you charge for this service?
5. Does your college practice need-blind admissions? Or will applying for financial aid hurt my chances of being admitted? Do you consider financial need when deciding whether to accept students off of the waiting list?
6. If I don’t apply for financial aid this year, will that affect my eligibility for financial aid in subsequent years?
7. Does your college meet my full demonstrated financial need, or do you practice “gapping”? Will you meet my full financial need for all four years of college?
8. Do you practice front-loading of grants? Or can I expect to receive a similar financial aid package all four years, assuming my financial circumstances do not change by much?
9. If I win a scholarship, do you reduce my financial aid package? If so, does the scholarship replace loans or grants?
10. How do I apply for financial aid? Which application forms are required to apply for financial aid? Does the college require the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE or its own forms in addition the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
11. What are the deadlines for applying for financial aid?
12. How does the financial aid application process differ for early admission students?
13. When will I receive my financial aid award letter?
14. If the financial aid is insufficient or my circumstances have changed, how do I appeal for more financial aid?
15. Where can I find information about other sources of financial aid, such as state grant programs and scholarships?
Don’t forget to ask about special circumstances that are specific to your situation, such as divorce/separation or financial aid for study abroad.
mrobeng
2 months ago
The only way to get scholarships is to just apply for them. If you can't get one you should take a loan and when you run into difficulties in paying it back, you can always consolidate your student loans. It will reduce your monthly payments and save you some money.
NicoleN621
3 months ago
I am a graduate student getting my master's in elementary education in Massachusetts. Does anyone know any scholarships for elementary ed. students? Thanks :-)
DonteM11
4 months ago
I am looking for schoalships for native americans....anyone know of any?
SeifuD
4 months ago
I AM AN ETHIOPIAN HOW I GET THE FINANCIAL AID FOR EDUCATION? MY CETIZEIN IS NOW ETHIOPIAN I HEAR SOON FROM YOU!
JoshuaG1209
4 months ago
When should you tell the school about special circumstances that will make the FAFSA estimated family contribution too high (like income that is stopping that you had to include because it was on your taxes for the previous year?). Do you do it BEFORE they get the FAFSA so they know to ignore it? Or after the FAFSA?
muneca540
4 months ago
only if i knew we can start searching for scholarship our junior year,, i wouldn't be here right now,,,things would've been easier,, thanks so much for a guidance counselor, because i ask her my junior year about scholarship and she said to not worry to wait for my senor year,, :(...and now im struggling with scholarship on my own
emwhit12
5 months ago
everyone should know how much you get back from you student loans. The process of figuring it out is not that hard. What numbers do you use? total amount of schooling minus the amount of loans, equals the amount you,re looking for.
JulieL149
5 months ago
regarding number 4) look for a program at your school called Sally Mae, its a interest free tution payment plan that some school partner with to make things easier for students. (the only thing is you will need to make sure your Registar office doesn't put a block on you for scheduling since your bill isn't paid totally. If they do just explain and they will take it off once they understand the reason its not paid)
SailFishJ
5 months ago
Start your scholarship search your Junior year.
AprilJ119
5 months ago
What year of high school should I start my financial aid process and where should I start?
anedbarraza
5 months ago
how can gare grant
faith7
5 months ago
Eventhough I qualify for 100% need, what will determine if I receive that?