Mastering College Financial Aid: Here’s Your Guide to Success

You’re thinking about college, so why not break it down into steps? One, you want a college setting that feels right. Two, you should learn all about your intended degree choice. Three, you want to be smart about college financial aid (and paying it back).

Your Guide to College Financial Aid

In the 2022 fiscal year, Federal Student Aid programs provided more than $111 billion in financial aid through federal grants, loans, and work-study funds to 9.8 million students.

Did you know?

• In any given year, about 85% of college students benefit from some form of financial aid. There is no obligation to accept assistance if it’s not needed.
• In 2022, newly graduated high school students left nearly $3.6 billion in Pell Grant funds unclaimed, mainly because students weren’t fully aware of all their assistance options. (Grants do not have to be repaid, so they’re way more sought-after than loan options.)
• The online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application form has been re-arranged to make the process easier to understand.
• The federal deadline for the 2022-23 academic year is June 20, 2023. Often, states and colleges have priority deadlines to submit the FAFSA form.

Going to College: Strong Return on Investment

Statistics show there’s a reason to pursue a college degree. Comparing the yearly compensation of people with a college degree vs. those who don’t show:

• Associate degree (A.A.S., A.A.) holders earn 24% more
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S.) holders earn 66% more
• Master’s degree holders earn 97% more
• Holders of professional degrees (M.D., D.C., D.O, D.D.S., etc.) earn 150% more.

For College Financial Aid Answers, Get a FAFSA Start!

The starting point for college financial aid eligibility is to fill out the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. The new 2023–24 FAFSA form is ready for you. Just go to the FAFSA website.

Remember, it’s a free application, and the FAFSA form is easy to complete. (There is a chat feature you can tap into if you need help.)

College financial aid advisors say it’s best to apply as early as possible. 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.

Exploring Degree Options

Life science and health sciences-focused degrees may not appeal to you at first. Perhaps that’s because you’re unaware of all the occupational options today.

You probably should take a good look because these degrees offer some of the best chances for long-term career success. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says this sector will grow at least 13% from 2021 to 2031.

Cleveland University-Kansas City: Degrees to Make a Difference in the World

Founded in 1922 by members of the Cleveland family, Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health sciences university. The 34-acre CUKC campus is in Overland Park, Kansas, an award-winning suburban city with easy access to the Kansas City metro area. Our mission is to educate and develop leaders in health promotion.

Here, you’ll find rigorous degree curriculums to meet employer expectations, plenty of student services and assistance, and faculty members who want you to succeed as much as you do.

Our degree line-up includes:

• Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
• Concurrent DC/BS Program (B.S. in Human Biology/D.C.)
• Bachelor of Science in Human Biology (B.S.)
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (B.S.)
• Associate of Arts in Biological Sciences (A.A.)
• Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology (A.A.S.)

We are proud to have an experienced college financial aid staff to guide you.

In addition, all current CUKC programs are approved by the VA for the use of benefits, and CUKC participates in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon program. If you qualify, this program is available to cover education costs not included in the benefits ensured under the GI Bill.®

For more about our health sciences degrees, including our signature Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program, request information from our advising team. You’ll also be able to get this free eBook: Your Guide to Navigating College Financial Aid.

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 website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.