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what are the usual requirements for finacial aid?

2006-08-29 10:50:52 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference Financial Aid

19 answers

A Junior College is less expensive, and has a lower reputation than a major College or University. It is a good idea to go to Junior College to get the required basic classes out of the way however; you need to check with your University first to make sure the classes will transfer. Usually when an University accepts transfer grades though they only count them as a C. They do this because the Junior College doesn't meet their standards. They may even do it with courses taken at another University. It is an incentive for you to take all your classes at their University. But, a couple of Cs won't hurt your overall GPA much. Not if you are going to a 4-year University.

Financial Aid is usually given to a student based on their merit, not on the University or College they are going to. As long as you apply the financial aid to an accredited school then using it for that purpose is fair. Usually the money is given to you with no strings attached, as long as you are in school and you use it to remain in school then it is fair. You can use it to feed yourself or pay rent on a dorm or for an apartment. It will be assumed that you spend the money on tuition, books and supplies; but supplies is a pretty general term. You can also use the money if you transfer to another school, or just take a few classes at another University. The important idea is that you use it to further your education at an accredited school (even a technical school).

These sites will tell you more about how Financial Aid works:
CollegeBoard.com: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/397.html
FAQ: Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Fellowships: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/college/financial-aid-faq/
CollegeBoard.com: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/397.html

Don’t get caught in a scam, most sites are offer free help, but some sites or programs will charge you for a “personalized” list of financial aid sources. Which is usually just an excerpt from their main list. A reasonable fee would be under $30, any higher is a sure fire scam. Applying for the financial aid itself should be free or have a very low fee, again don’t get caught in a scam. Most sources of aid are free, and should be.

There are hundreds of sources of finical aide, including some pretty minor ones. The best is a PEL Grant. Student Loans are also a good investment in your future, only deal with a major bank (like Bank of America) and read the fine print. Student Loans should be at given at a low rate and you only have to pay AFTER graduation. Ask for a grace period that will let you get a job before you have to start paying. Prepare a budget and how much your parents are able to contribute. Student Loans are usually “boilerplate” contracts, but a good loan officer will have some questions for you so bring a parent and be prepared to answer a few questions.

The finical aid department at a college will be the best place to start. There are other sources of finical aid and only some that you will be eligible for.
Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
Scholarships.com: http://www.scholarships.com/
Fast Web: http://www.fastweb.com/fastweb/register/start?ref=google_college_finaid-1f--http%3a%2f%2fwww%2egoogle%2ecom%2fsearch%3fhl%3den%26q%3dFinancial%2bAid%253Acollege%26btnG%3dGoogle%2bSearch
2006 College Scholarships, and Financial Aid Page: http://www.college-scholarships.com/
The Yahoo Education Directory will offer more information: http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/Financial_Aid/College_and_University_Aid_Offices/

2006-08-29 11:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0 1

A Jr. College will be less expensive, but a university or full college will have more financial aid. Apply to both and see what kind of a financial aid package you get. See which one expects you to pay more out of pocket expenses.

2006-08-29 15:58:09 · answer #2 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 0 0

The local community college is usually the cheapest for obtaining education beyond the HS Diploma. The requirements for Financial Aid for all these institutions starts with filling out the FAFSA -- and from there the determination will be made as to what financial aid you qualify for.

2006-08-29 12:51:50 · answer #3 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0 0

It depends on the college, your state residency, and whether or not the college is accredited. If you are evaluating two schools, go to both of their websites. They should have average tuition estimates. Some universities offer flat tuition rates, as well as per-class tuition rates. Most JC's only offer per-class tuition rates. Either way, it depends on where you're going.

Regardless, you need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (link below). Almost all institutions require this document on file in order to be even considered for financial aid. Most institutions also have an in-house application to complete as well. Again, it all depends on which colleges you're looking at. Good luck!

2006-08-29 10:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by kookoonuts 2 · 1 0

Both are kind of expensive right now, but junior colleges are usually a little bit cheaper. I happen to know because I graduated from one this past May. (Oklahoma City Community College.)

As for requirements for financial aid, I know that one of them is remaining eligible in your courses. (Don't fail any of your classes another words.) As for additional requirements, it depends on the institution. It is best to see a bursar or the financial aid department about that.

Best of luck!

2006-08-29 10:56:01 · answer #5 · answered by Oklahoman 6 · 0 0

"Regular" colleges (state and private colleges and universities) are MUCH more expensive ... tens of thousands of dollars per year.

"Junior" college, also known as Community College, is part of the local public school system and is relatively inexpensive. Roughly $1,500 per semester or $3,000 per year, including books.

If you aren't sure what you want to do with your life, Community College is a good way to test the waters, get your requirements like English, Math, Science, etc. out of the way, and look into a variety of career choices.

Financial aid eligibility varies state to state, but in all of them, you need to show financial need. You can also apply for college grants or loans that will need to be paid back. Visit your local community college (or check them out online) to get more specific information for your situation.

Good luck!

2006-08-29 11:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by frankiquilts 3 · 0 0

State colleges and Universities cost much more than community colleges (also refered to as jr. colleges)

Going to a state or university looks great for your future, but they can cost alot. Currently I am going to a community college taking the general education classes, and then transfering to SFSU for my BA degree. Communtiy is a great way to get your basics done and then transfer. Going to a state or university for a 4 year degree can cost anywhere from 40-150 thousand (that's about 10-40 thousand a year), depends if the school is public, private, how presitgous and etc. But a community is about two thousand a year, that is books, admission fees, and all that. So its cheaper to get your basic done at community then go to a state or university, becuase you cant get a BA/BS/MA/PHD etc. at a community college.

Financial Aid is usually based on your income and amount of the people in your household, and can differ from state to state based on the state's average cost of living. Just because your low income doesn't guarentee anything either.

The process can take a long time too, at a community college about 2.5 to 3 months, and at state and universities your looking at about 1.5 months. So go to Fafsa.ed.gov and start filling out your form now. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the basic form you need to fill out to begin applying for financial aid, its a federal form and will work at any school in the U.S.. You will need all of your tax information for 2005, when applying for the 06-07 school year. And if your dependent you will also need you parent's information also. When you get to the end of the process they will ask you which school you are planning to send your FAFSA information to. You do this by inputting a 6 digit number called the federal school code. You can get this off any school's web page, but they can be hard to find, so you may have to call them and ask them. So send it to the schools you are msot interested in, you can do about ten I believe. DO NOT GO TO FAFSA.COM its a rip off site that charges you to fill it out, some how that is legal, but they don't help you anymore than fafsa.ed.gov, so don't go to the dot com one.

Usually at a community college since the tuition is much cheaper you get a check when its finished processing and you can cash it and use it for whatever. But at state and universities, the tuition is so much they usually directing apply the amount you are awarded to your admissions balance.

Good luck, the sooner you do it, the sooner you will get your money! So uh.... do it now. Its about a week faster if you do it online. You will have to submit a signature in some way verifing that everything you said is true, and if you're dependent you will also need your parent's signature, so you can print a signature page and have both of you sign it and mail it in, or you can both get pin numbers and do it that way. Pin numbers you have to apply for seperatley and usually confuses alot of students. It may be in your best interest to do the signature page, even though you mail it in and did your FAFSA online they go thorugh at the same time and still save you about a week when done online. A week doesn't seem like much but if you are cutting it close to a deadline, (usually only at state and universities, community colleges you can do it during the whole year, but wont get money til it is done), then you dont want to take a chance and fall after the deadline then pay thousands in tuition, which you probabely can't do.

2006-08-29 11:10:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

maximum any junior college will settle for you. i think of it is the main suitable guess for you. once you're thinking approximately getting a 4 twelve months degree, maximum 4 twelve months colleges/universities probable would not settle for you precise now, yet maximum junior colleges have some style of certain circulate application to 4 twelve months establishments in case you save on with the specifications of this device. I surely have a sister who did no longer do great in extreme college, entered a circulate application at a JC and is now getting a bachelor's degree.

2016-10-01 01:36:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Regular colleges and Universitys vs. Junior/Community colleges regarding rates ALL HAS TO DO with what state you are living in.

I am in California it is 26.00 per credit at a community college, vs. the UC/Cal state system(next step up in costs) which can start at 2500 approx and up per semester.

PA. Community college rates are almost identical to state university rates.

So it really depends on where you live.

For financial aid- you will need to fill out a FAFSA. www.fafsa.ed.gov They are kinda complicated to fill out, but they are pretty much a requirement at every school. Ask for help filling it out, you will need yours, or your parents tax returns to fill it out. The fafsa is used by many schools to determine what aid you qualify for, including government grants and loans.:)

Good luck.

2006-08-29 10:59:24 · answer #9 · answered by HeatherMarie 2 · 0 0

Usually a regular college is more expensive than a junior.

2006-08-29 10:58:12 · answer #10 · answered by skippybuttknuckle 3 · 0 0

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