Miscellaneous Financial Aid Questions

1. Is an independent (private) college education affordable?

Yes. It is true that independent colleges have higher tuition costs than do public colleges. Tuition averages approximately $20,699. However, 90% of independent college students receive some form of financial aid. The average financial aid package is $19,000, comprised of about $12,000 in grants and scholarships and $9,000 in loans. As you can see, financial aid goes a long way in meeting tuition costs at these schools.

2. How do I know if I qualify for financial aid at an independent college?

Once you are accepted for admission, your financial aid package will be formulated based upon your ability to pay and upon academic merit. If you don't apply for financial aid, you will never know if you can afford to attend an independent college or university.

3. I have children who need child care while I go to classes. Will financial aid help pay for child care?

Ask for advice at the financial aid office of the college you are likely to attend. Some colleges have enough student aid money to help with child care; others do not. It is legal for student aid to help pay for child care, but there might not be enough money to do this. You might also be eligible for assistance from other offices or agencies. Check to see if the college has an office that serves the needs of students with children. That office can help you seek child care.

4. I don't have a computer but need one for college. Will financial aid help buy me a computer and pay for monthly expenses?

It is legal for student aid to be increased to purchase a computer and take care of monthly expenses like an Internet connection. Unfortunately, not all colleges have enough student aid money available to help you with these costs. Ask for information at the financial aid office of the college you might attend.

5. I am disabled and have special needs. Will financial aid cover the costs associated with my disability?

It is legal for student aid to be increased to cover the costs associated with your disability but unfortunately not all colleges have enough student aid money to help you with these costs. Ask for advice at the financial aid office of the college you might attend. Also check to see if the college has an office that serves disabled students. That office might be able to give you advice on other resources.

6. I hope to spend a year studying in a foreign country. Can I receive financial aid to cover those costs?

Many schools offer or participate in programs that allow students to study abroad. The school must make some arrangements for these programs and ensure that the courses are approved for credit if students are to receive financial aid while studying abroad. Most forms of financial aid can be used during periods of study abroad. In some cases the financial aid office can adjust your student budget to reflect additional reasonable costs for foreign study and you and/or your parents may be able to get additional loan amounts to cover those additional costs.

7. Can I receive financial aid if I'm taking courses from home using my computer or the television?

If you are enrolled in an eligible program leading to a degree or certificate you may be eligible for financial aid. Check with the school that offers the program about eligibility for aid.

8. My parents don't earn much money and I work to help support the family. Should I tell someone about this?

Yes. This is important information. The financial aid office might think you have extra money because you work. (The formula looks at your earnings as well as your parents' finances.) Tell the financial aid office right away that your income supports your family. The staff in the office might be able to change your information under these special conditions and make you eligible for more assistance. Talk to someone right away.

9. Can I receive financial aid for attending during the summer?

Yes, but usually there are limited funds available for summer enrollment periods. Most students use their aid eligibility during the regular academic year (fall through spring) and have little or no remaining eligibility for the summer. Check with the financial aid office about information on summer aid and deadlines.

10. I already have a bachelor's degree but am enrolling to get another one. Can I receive financial aid?

You may be eligible for some forms of financial aid. You won't be eligible for Federal Pell Grant or SEOG funds since you already have one bachelor's degree and your eligibility for loans may be limited by any outstanding educational loans that you borrowed earlier.

11. I have a bachelor's degree but need to take some courses to get admitted to a graduate degree program. Can I receive financial aid?

You may be eligible for a limited amount of federal loans, and possibly some aid from the school, while enrolled in courses that are prerequisites or preparatory for enrollment in a graduate or professional degree program. Check with your school to clarify your eligibility.

12. How long can I receive financial aid?

It depends on the financial aid program, but in all cases, there are limitations. Some programs have limitations based on terms or units enrolled, but all financial aid is subject to a "Satisfactory Academic Progress" policy developed by each campus. While these policies differ from campus to campus, they generally require that you make steady progress toward your educational degree or certificate given the number of units you attempt each term. Consult with financial aid office staff or publications to learn about a specific campus' or program's policy.

13. If I apply for admission, will the college automatically send me a FAFSA or a scholarship application?

While some do send them, there are some that may not. It is always your responsibility to make sure that you obtain and properly complete the necessary applications.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, should be available from high school counselors or from any college financial aid office. But you don't have to wait for the college to send you the application. You can begin to review the required documents and the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Also, many colleges and universities, particularly independent (private) institutions, have additional or alternative applications to be completed. It is always a good idea to consult with financial aid office staff or publications of the college or university to make sure that you have completed all necessary financial aid application materials.

Follow the same rule when applying for scholarships. Some institutions establish scholarship eligibility using information from admissions applications, while others have separate scholarship applications. Contact financial aid office staff or consult publications to make sure that you have completed all necessary scholarship application materials.

14. I'm only interested in scholarships. Should I file a FAFSA?

While filing a FAFSA is not required to receive all scholarships, there are scholarships that are awarded based, in part, on you and your family's financial circumstances. In addition, the sizes of some scholarships are dependent upon the family financial circumstances. Thus, filing a FAFSA can only expand your eligibility for scholarships.

15. If I missed the March 2 deadline, can I still apply for and receive financial aid?

Yes. Apply immediately. Some student aid programs (such as Federal Pell Grants and student loans) are available for many months after March 2. You may also be considered a late applicant for campus-based funding if it is available. Many colleges (including all of the California Community Colleges) welcome applications for up to 16 more months after the March 2 deadline. Since deadlines and available funding vary by institution, check for specific information at the school you plan to attend.

16. My parents are separated or divorced. Who should fill out the FAFSA?

The parent that you lived with for the most part of the past year should provide information on the FAFSA. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you didn't live with either parent, or lived equally with each parent, information must be provided for the parent who provided you with the most support, either financially or in the form of food, housing, clothes, etc.

17. My Social Security survivor benefits will stop when I turn 18. That makes a big difference in the income that was reported on the FAFSA. What do I do about this?

You will need to contact the financial aid office and provide additional information about the change in your family's financial circumstances so that they can consider making an adjustment.

18. I've been working full-time but will have to quit my job in order to enroll in classes. What can I do?

Fill out the FAFSA according to the instructions, which will reflect the higher income when you were working full time. Once your FAFSA has been processed, contact the financial aid office to advise them about your anticipated change in income. They will give you information about what is required to make any possible adjustments to your aid eligibility and awards.

19. What if I made a mistake on my FAFSA? How can I fix it after I receive aid and what does it mean?

It is important to correct any errors that you might have made on your FAFSA. Within about 4 weeks of filing your FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA processor (or an email notification within 72 hours if you file completely electronically). This document will list all of the information you provided on the FAFSA and will allow you to make any corrections to that information. Review all the information listed on the SAR, make any necessary corrections, and return the form to the processor. Alternatively, you may submit your corrections online through Corrections on the Web. Making corrections promptly will allow your financial aid office to provide you with an accurate estimate of your aid eligibility as quickly as possible. Revisions to FAFSA information may result in changes to your eligibility for aid but you have a responsibility to ensure that the information you report is accurate.

20. My parents refuse to file income tax returns. I don't want to get them into trouble with the IRS, but I need financial aid to attend college. What do I do?

If you are a dependent student your parents' information must be included on the FAFSA or you cannot be considered for student financial aid. Filing a FAFSA may result in a request for a copy of your parents' tax return to verify income information. If the required tax return is not submitted, you may not be able to receive financial aid.

21. If I'm getting unemployment do I qualify for financial aid?

Many students who receive unemployment benefits also quality for financial aid. Eligibility for financial aid is determined on the total income and assets of the family. Unemployment benefits received by the student are not counted as income, but other income earned by the student, plus income earned by parents (for dependent students) or the student's spouse is counted as income in the calculation of financial aid eligibility.

22. How will you determine my eligibility if my previous salary was high enough to disqualify me from getting financial aid?

College financial aid offices are allowed, on a case by case basis, to take special circumstances such as job loss or income reduction into consideration when determining eligibility for financial aid. Contact the college you plan to attend and ask them what their process is for documentation and consideration of special circumstances regarding income and other eligibility considerations.