OK, so you’re making summer vacation a priority right now, but before you disengage your brain while on the beach, in the mountains, or enduring that 5-hour car ride to someplace special, refresh your financial aid for college IQ for an upcoming college term.
1. Healthcare Educational Options: A Good Return on Investment
Being wise about a degree choice is on everyone’s mind, and rightly so. You want to know the degree you’re paying for will deliver a career that makes sense. In that regard, healthcare degrees – including the many 2-year (associate degree) options – appear to have a return on investment that’s better than many.
First, the demand is strong for healthcare professionals. Overall, the healthcare sector is projected to grow by 15% between 2020-30, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additional factors include
2. There are Many Types of Financial Aid for College
The free Financial Aid for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application determines which federally sponsored assistance programs will fit your situation, which comes in grants, scholarships, and loans.
Private and local scholarships don’t always provide large awards, but in combination, they can result in a significant discount on the actual (net) price of attending college.
If you choose to take out a student loan, your college financial aid team can give you details about what that means for you during school and the procedures and options for paying the loans after graduation.
3. Part-time Work-Study Programs.
Another source of funds while in school is the Federal Work-Study program. Colleges and universities participating in the Work-Study program offer part-time employment in university departments.
4. Using a Net Price Calculator Tool for the Actual Cost.
Schools must offer net price calculators on their websites, which estimate the actual (net) cost of attendance after considering the student’s or family’s income and other factors, like qualifying scholarships or grants.
Often, students and families focus on the cost per credit hour or semester/year and don’t realize those amounts do not reflect scholarships and awards to be applied.
5. Negotiating the College’s Financial Aid.
Yes, you can appeal for more financial assistance, although it depends on presenting adequate documentation to the college financial aid office.
Specific circumstances that can change the amount initially awarded include:
6. Eligible Students Are Neglecting to Apply for College Financial Aid.
It’s estimated that 25-40% of students who qualify for direct unsubsidized federal loans don’t apply because they believe their reportable annual income is too high. There is no income cut-off to qualify. Many personal factors go into consideration, such as family size and other reasons.
The truth is, there’s no downside to filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and that’s a good reason to start the process for an upcoming college year.
Today, the FAFSA form is easier and faster to complete. The current FAFSA form is more straightforward and more intuitive and includes automatic error notifications back to you for corrections.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, a nationally acclaimed suburb of Kansas City. Check out the degree options available in our College of Chiropractic and College of Health Sciences.
There’s a lot to know about paying for the college degree you desire, and it’s our desire to answer any college financial aid questions you have.
For more details from an admissions advisor, request information here. If CUKC has the healthcare degree you’re interested in, our school code for the FAFSA is 014338.
Remember, CUKC has special due dates because of our year-round schedules:
Fall 2021 – July 1, 2022
Spring 2022 – November 1, 2023
Summer 2022 – March 1, 2023.
You can also get an overview of financial aid options by downloading this free eBook: Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.
