Admissions
What application(s) do I have to file to be considered for admissions?
Today, the goal is to provide students with the means to submit one admissions application to multiple colleges and/or universities. There is one general, Common Application that is accepted by over 700 colleges and universities across the country and internationally. Over the past two years, two new applications, the Coalition Application and Universal College Application have been introduced by a narrower group of institutional users. It is always best to inquire with a school if interest to determine their specific application and if any additional documentation is
When should I start?
It is recommended that a student begin the process during summer before their senior year. The vast majority of the application process is completed in the fall of a student’s senior year; however, early application timelines do require a summer start.
How many colleges should I apply to?
Although the exact number is an individual choice, it is generally recommended that a student apply to eight to ten.
Should I apply early?
It depends. If you are sure about which college you want to attend, early decision, early action might be the best choice for you. If you’re not sure, apply as part of regular admissions is 100% acceptable. Specific majors that require additional documentation (art portfolio’s, auditions) may require earlier action. All decisions should be based on a student individual preference and guidance obtained.
Is it OK to use the same material on different applications?
Definitely. There’s no need to write a brand-new essay or personal statement for each application. Instead, devote your time to producing a great version of basic application parts.
Should I apply to colleges if my admission-test scores or grades are below their published ranges?
Yes. The admission scores and grades that colleges show on their websites are averages or ranges — not cutoffs. There are students at every college who scored lower (and higher) than the numbers shown.
Remember that colleges consider many factors to get a more complete picture of you. For example, they look at the types of classes you take, your activities, recommendation letters, your essay and your overall character. Colleges are looking for all kinds of students with different talents, abilities and backgrounds. Admission test scores and grades are just two parts of that complete picture.
Should I even bother applying to colleges I don’t think I can afford?
Yes. But – It is critical to understand how much one can afford and what one might be expected to pay to attend different colleges and universities. Yes, schools compete for students and use scholarships and financial aid to assist students and families, however, one will not know until they apply. It is best to start out with a realistic mindset on cost and affordability while investigating all type of college and universities.
What is the current Cost of Attendance (COA) at College?
The Cost of Attendance includes all direct and indirect charges associated with enrolling at an institution. This may include Tuition, Room and Board (if a resident student) and a Differential Fee, as well as student loan fees. Some indirect costs, estimated out of pocket expenses for books, living expenses (if commuting), personal miscellaneous expenses, and estimated transportation expenses may also be included
Financial Aid & Scholarships
What application(s) do I have to file to be considered for financial aid?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for state and federal financial aid, including but not limited to State scholarships, Federal Pell Grants, Direct Student Loans and Work-Study. The FAFSA data is also used by many colleges and universities who have the ability to awarded their own need-based Grants.
A small number of private colleges and private scholarship providers may also require the CSS Profile to be filed.
What is Merit Aid?
Merit Aid, generally referred to as a Scholarship, is awarded to students with exemplary academic and personal performance in high school. It is awarded whether or not a student has demonstrated financial need.
What Need-Based Aid?
Need-Based Aid is awarded to students based on demonstrated financial need as documented through the FAFSA and CSS Profile Applications.
How do students find work on campus?
Most institutions offer two different types of student employment: Federal Work Study and general Student Employment. Federal Work Study aid is determined as part of evaluating a student’s demonstrated financial need. General student employment is managed through the Student Life or Student Services area of a college or university.
How does a student obtain a student loan?
Most colleges and universities participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan program and offer a preferred group of private student loan lenders. Eligibility for Federal loans is determined as part of a financial aid process. Private loans which should be used as a last resort can be generally found through a school’s financial aid web page.
Can a family get a tuition discount if more than one family member is attending at the same time?
Yes. Schools will generally offer a tuition discount if a number of students from one family enroll in the institution.
Is College Need-Blind in its admission decisions?
While we adhere to a need-blind admission policy for most of its admission decisions, budgetary constraints sometimes result in need-sensitive admission decisions for a small segment of the applicant population.
What effect does applying as an Early Decision/ Early Action applicant have on financial aid?
Students who apply for Early Decision/ Early Action admission are not treated differently in the awarding of financial aid than those who apply for admission through the regular decision process. Like the early admissions process, applying for financial aid during the same timeline will afford a student early notification of the aid eligibility.
When is financial aid applied to my account?
Typically, aid is awarded based on the start of a semesters. A student must be deemed eligible based on enrollment [Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP] and specific aid program eligibility criteria.
Can I appeal my financial aid award?
Yes, individuals who have received a financial aid award can request re-consideration through an appeal process. Many times, there is a need to clarify financial information submitted and/or report extenuating circumstances (change in income, unusual medical bills) not initially reported during the financial aid (FAFSA) process. Contact the school or check their website for specific instructions on how to file an appeal.
What is the current Cost of Attendance (COA) at College?
The Cost of Attendance includes billed costs for tuition and Room and Board (if a resident student), as well as student loan fees, and estimated out of pocket expenses for books, living expenses (if commuting), personal miscellaneous expenses, and estimated transportation expenses. The Cost of Attendance for the 2017-2018 academic year is: Resident Student= $59,460, Commuter not living with parent= $51,838, Commuter living with parents= $43,800.
Must I file my taxes before filing the FAFSA?
No! The income tax information required for the FAFSA, known as the Base Year Tax Information, will have been filed two years prior to a student completing and submitting the FAFSA. The FAFSA can be submitted on Oct 1.
Should I wait until I know I have been accepted into College before filing the FAFSA?
No, do not wait. Typically the priority filing deadlines are earlier than the date that acceptances are mailed.
When do I repay my student loans?
Federal loans have a six month grace period which begins when you graduate, leave school, or drop to less than half-time enrollment. Payment on these loans begin the day after your grace period ends.
Where can I find out how much I have to repay on my student loans?
You can view a listing of the federal loans you have received for each academic period, and their interest rates on the National Student Loan Data Systems website; www.nslds.ed.gov
If I receive a private scholarship, will my financial aid change?
IF the private scholarship is reported to the school by federal regulations require an institution from ensuring that all aid awarded does not exceed the cost of attendance. Many schools will adjust self-help programs first, before awarding grant aid.
Will Study Abroad affect my financial aid award?
Yes and no. As a general rule, financial aid awards are applicable to study abroad programs approved by and administered through the College. However, Tuition Exchange Scholarships are only partially transferable to study abroad, full-time internships or for programs at other venues.
Is financial aid taxable?
As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, aggregate scholarship and grant assistance that exceeds tuition and required fees for course instruction or academic enrollment must be included in taxable income. Students are responsible for determining whether any scholarship, in whole or in part, should be reported as taxable income. Gift aid in excess of the costs of tuition and fees in a calendar year is taxable. Wages earned through the Federal Work-Study and Student Employment Programs are taxable. Student employees will receive a W-2 Wage and Income Statement from the College during January for the previous tax year. You are encouraged to contact the Internal Revenue Service or a tax preparer for further information or assistance.
Are there tax benefits for higher education expenses?
Congress has provided opportunities for families to gain tax savings through various education tax credits, penalty-free withdrawal from an IRA, and/or the student loan interest deduction. You are encouraged to contact the Internal Revenue Service or a tax preparer for further information or assistance.
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
Award Letter
Award Letters are sometimes referred to as “Financial Aid Packages”. Your Award Letter will include details about the financial aid you can expect to receive from College College and government/private sources for the academic year.
Borrower
The person responsible for repaying a loan.
Capitalized Interest
Unpaid interest that has been added to the principle balance of a loan. Future interest is charged on the increased balance.
CSS Profile
CSS Profile is short for the College Scholarship Service Profile. It is an application provided by the College Board that allows students to apply for financial aid. It is an on-line form available at http://student.collegeboard.org/profile. The information provided for freshman year is used to determine your eligibility for College funded need-based scholarships.
CUM (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
Measure of overall historic academic achievement at the College, calculated by dividing the total number of grade point received over the total number of credits attempted while in attendance. At College courses accepted as transfer credits are not included in the calculation of a GPA.
Deferment
Allows you to temporarily stop making payment on your federal student loans. You are not charged interest on subsidized loans during deferment. Interest will continue to be charged on your unsubsidized loans and PLUS loans.
Direct Costs
Expenses the student/family pays to the college.
Direct Deposit/Payment
Direct Deposit (or Direct Payment) is an electronic transfer of funds from one bank account to another (e.g. a system that automatically deposits your paycheck into your bank account electronically each pay period).
Educational Loan
A form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. Educational loans
have varying interest rates and repayment terms. Students and/or parents are required to sign a promissory note when accepting an educational loan.
Enrollment Status
Academic workload (or course load), as defined by the institution, during an academic period. This relates to the number of credit hours taken by a student during a given academic period (example: full-time status = at least 12 credit hours, three-quarter time status = 9-11 credit hours, and half-time status = 6-8 credit hours).
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
A measure of how much the student/family can be expected to contribute to the cost of the student’s education for the year. The EFC is calculated according to a formula specified by federal regulations and is based upon the information provided by the student and his or her family during the FASFA filing process.
FAFSA
FAFSA is short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form that should be completed annually to determine your eligibility for Need-Based Federal, State, Institutional and some private scholarship programs.
Federal Pell Grant
A grant provided by the federal government to qualified undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have an Expected Family Contribution below a threshold designated annually by the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A grant provided by the federal government to qualified undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
Federal Work Study (FWSP)
A program that provides part-time employment to students attending institutions of higher education who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education and encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities.
Financial Need/Eligibility
Financial need is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution from the Cost of Attendance.
FSA ID
The FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to login to certain US Department (ED) websites. The FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. The FAFSA requires signatures from both student and parent for dependent students. Therefore, both student and parent must have their own FSA ID. To apply for a FSA ID please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Full Time
Full Time students are those who attempt 12 or more credits in a semester.
Gift Aid
Funds awarded to the student that do not have to be repaid, unless the student fails to meet certain terms, such as a service requirement, specified as a condition of the grant. Gift aid includes awards with titles such as grants, scholarships, remissions, waivers, etc. Gift aid can be awarded based on many factors, including (but not limited to) financial need, academic excellence, athletic, musical, and theatrical talent, affiliation with various groups, or career aspirations.
Grace Period
A period of time that generally begins on the day after a borrower graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment and ends on the day before repayment period begins. A borrower is not required to make payments during the grace period. Grace periods for subsidized and unsubsidized made under the Direct Loan programs are 6 months, and grace periods for Perkins loans are generally 9 months.
Grade Point Average
Grade Point Average (or GPA) is a measure of scholastic achievement calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received in a semester over the total number of credits attempted in that semester.
Grant
Gift aid awarded to the student that does not need to be repaid. Grants are typically based on financial need.
Indirect Costs
Expenses the student/family may pay to a third party (merchant, landlord, etc.)other than the college.
Interest
Interest is a fee charged by a lender to a borrower for the use of borrowed money, usually expressed as an annual percentage of the borrowed money.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is an easy and secure way to access and transfer tax information directly to the FAFSA application, saving time and improving accuracy. Either the IRS Data Retrieval tool or a copy of your Tax Return Transcript will be required, if your file is selected for a process called verification.
Master Promissory Note
A Master Promissory Note is a binding legal document you sign when you get a student loan. It lists the conditions under which you are borrowing and the terms under which you agree to repay the loan.
Merit Aid/Scholarships
Merit Aid or scholarships are a form of gift aid that is awarded because of a student’s achievements or talent in a particular area, such as academics or athletics. It does not have to be repaid.
Need Based Aid
Need Based Aid is financial aid that is based upon financial need as demonstrated on the FAFSA and/or Profile application forms.
Need Blind
Need Blind means that admission decisions are made without any knowledge of students’ financial circumstances.
Net Cost
Amount of direct and indirect costs remaining after all gift aid (scholarship and grant) is subtracted.
Part Time
Part Time students are those who attempt less than 12 credits in a semester.
Room & Board
Room and Board refers to lodging and food provided on the College’s campus. At College, Room & board consists of your residence hall accommodations and your meal plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
To receive or continue to receive financial aid funded by the state, the federal government, or the college (including loans, grants, jobs, scholarships), you must be making a minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) based on an institution’s enrollment criteria.
Scholarships/ Merit Aid
Scholarships/ Merit Aid are a form of gift aid that is awarded because of a student’s achievements or talent in a particular area, such as academics or athletics. It does not have to be repaid.
Self Help
Financial aid in the form of loans or student employment. Loans are used to help pay the remaining net costs after gift aid is deducted. Student employment earnings (including work study awards) are not deducted from billed costs but can be used to help cover indirect costs and are paid in the form of wages to the student.
Student Aid Report (SAR)
A summary of information you submit on your FAFSA that provides you with your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Verification
Process to confirm the accuracy of data provided by the applicant on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. In order to complete the verification process, students are required to provide certain documents to the school for review.