5 Steps to Financial Aid
Step 1. Look for “free” money first.
Try to get “free” financial aid first. Free financial aid is the type of aid that you do not need to repay.
Unfortunately, free financial aid usually doesn’t cover 100% of your costs. And you may need to find other ways to pay for college, including taking out low-cost loans and using any money you may have saved. Alternative sources are also an option but use them only as a last resort. Take time to understand all the ways you can pay for college.
If you include more than one college on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you will receive one financial aid award letter (award offer) from each of those schools. These offers will likely contain a combination of free aid and low-cost loans. Evaluate each school’s financial aid offer carefully.
Ways to Pay for College | |
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Free aid |
Note: Be aware that in some cases, a grant may convert to a loan if certain obligations are not met. |
Work-study or other employment |
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Low-cost loans |
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Savings |
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Alternative sources |
http://www.pheaa.org/college-planning/five-steps/index.shtml |