SayStudent Articles | Visiting Your College's Financial Aid Office

Make An Appointment With Your
College's Financial Aid Office

filed: October 13, 2008

With thousands of different colleges in operation across the United States, the way each school treats financial aid is unique to that institution. The information you receive from your college about financial aid should outline their policies, but you may find it in your best interest to make an appointment with the school's financial aid office to clarify policy and find out how you can maximize your benefits.

What You Should Investigate

Specifically, go into your meeting prepared to ask questions that will give you a clearer picture of what you can expect over the next four years from a financial standpoint. The better informed that you are now, the more prepared you'll be to handle what will be coming your way as you attend college.

The following questions can bring enlightenment your way:

How much will college cost you? That figure should include tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, traveling between home and campus, and personal expenses.

What are the projected annual increases for each year? Your total package could be $15,000 for the first year, but you also need to know by how much costs will increase in successive year to get a clearer picture of your total costs over a four year period.

What types of financial aid are offered? Is it merit based or needs based? Or, is it a combination of the two? When do you need to apply for aid?

When is financial aid awarded and if the package isn't enough to meet your expenses, will you have the right to appeal?

Does the college expect a lump sum payment or can those costs be spread out over a period of time and made in monthly installments?

Will financial aid be adjusted annually to reflect changes in family income and how is enrollment status handled?

What academic requirements must be met in order to qualify for aid? What conditions must be met to keep receiving assistance from year to year?

Of course, you'll think of other questions that are particular to your needs and specific school, so give the college manual a thorough read before jotting down your own questions.

Getting adequate financial aid is a deal maker for many students, but one that can quickly become a deal breaker if any point of the financial aid process doesn't work out as planned. Following through on an appointment should give you the answers that you need to help you understand everyone's part in the college aid process.

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