College Financial Aid: Master the FAFSA for Best Results

In any given year, about 85% of college students benefit from some form of financial aid. Education grants, which don’t have to be repaid, are particularly underused. The effort you make to explore college financial aid is well worth the time and energy spent.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the one form you need to apply for financial aid – FAFSA®. (That’s just an abbreviation for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) It’s easier to do than you think!

Mastering the FAFSA Matters

One of the new changes in the FAFSA process for college financial aid is that the Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) formula. The design of the SAI considers the income and assets of the student and family (or others) who are contributing financially to the student’s household.

There are differences in the SAI vs. EFC, such as

• Fewer questions to answer
• Students must report the income of the parent/guardian providing the most support
• Independent and dependent students whose income falls below the poverty threshold may automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant. Grants do not have to be paid back.

One good place to learn more about what’s changed is to check out the eligibility guide at StudentAid.gov.

Five FAFSA Facts

• To fill out the form online, go to the FAFSA website. (Want to have some help with this important document? Your college’s financial aid department can guide you.)
• Income by itself doesn’t determine eligibility for financial aid. More than 85% of all college students receive some type of financial assistance.
• The FAFSA is a free application, and it’s easy to complete. (There is a chat feature you can tap into if you need help.) In addition, this “8 steps” article from Studentaid.gov is a great summary.
• College financial aid advisors say applying as early as possible is best. Some colleges and universities have limited funds each year.
• There’s also a tool to help you understand what college might cost and show ways to pay for it. Go here for the Federal Student Aid Estimator.

Yes, Filling Out the FAFSA is Worthwhile

Few people enjoy filling out forms, but having the FAFSA completed and sent in can truly pay huge benefits.

Degree Decisions

Your college major will be a personal choice. You want something that fits your talents and your dreams for a successful, personally rewarding career. One job category you’ll want to explore is healthcare support and health sciences.

From 2022-23, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in healthcare occupations to outpace the 7% average growth for all occupations.

College Financial Aid at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private university offering chiropractic and other health science degrees. The CUKC campus is in Overland Park, Kansas, an award-winning city of 195,000 within the greater Kansas City metro area. Our ongoing mission since our founding more than 100 years ago is educating and developing leaders in health promotion. We embrace behaviors that help people to control and improve their health.

One of the ways we live out the promise of a student-focused university is by having a full-time staff that knows about opportunities for scholarships, grants, loan possibilities, and your options for paying loans back after you’ve graduated with the degree you’ve always imagined.

CUKC school code for FAFSA: 001438. The updated 2024–25 FAFSA form is expected to be available online in December 2023. You’ll want this form when planning to attend college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

If you’re a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, you’ll be pleased to know that CUKC participates in the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. This program is designed to cover education costs not included in the benefits ensured under the GI Bill®. CUKC also can provide military tuition assistance.

There’s much to know about college financial aid, so CUKC created a free eBook. Get a copy of Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid when you connect with one of our admissions advisors.

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.