Connect 101 Education Consulting, LLC
Questions to Ask About Financial Aid & FAFSA
Financial aid can be one of the most confusing parts of the college decision. Use these questions to help you understand your options, compare offers, and make a more informed decision.
Before You Decide
Questions to ask the financial aid office
- • What is the college's total estimated cost of attendance?
- • What types of financial aid are available to me?
- • What scholarships or grants may be available to me?
- • What portion of my financial aid is grants or scholarships, and what portion is loans?
- • What costs are included in my financial aid estimate?
- • Are there additional costs I should plan for?
- • How often will I need to complete the FAFSA?
- • What academic requirements must I meet to keep my aid?
- • What happens to my financial aid if my family's financial situation changes?
Understand Your Offer
Know what each part of the offer means.
Financial aid offers can include different types of assistance, and each type can affect the overall cost of attending college. Take time to understand what you are being offered before making a decision.
- • Which awards are grants or scholarships?
- • Which awards are loans?
- • Is work-study included in my offer?
- • Are scholarships or grants renewable in future years?
- • What requirements must I meet to keep renewable scholarships or grants?
- • Could my financial aid change from one year to the next?
Scholarships & Additional Aid
Ask what opportunities may still be available.
- • Are there additional institutional scholarships available?
- • Are there separate scholarship applications or deadlines?
- • Are there scholarships I should still consider applying for?
- • Can outside scholarships affect my financial aid package?
- • Who should I contact with questions about additional scholarship opportunities?
Compare Your Offers
Look beyond the award amount.
A larger financial aid package does not necessarily mean a college will cost less. Compare the total cost of attendance, grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans before making your decision.
Ask yourself:
- • What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be?
- • How much of my financial aid will need to be repaid?
- • How much would I need to borrow to attend?
- • What payment options are available?
- • What happens if a scholarship does not renew?
Need More Help?
Sometimes the questions are easy. The decision isn't.
Connect 101 can provide personalized guidance to help you understand financial aid information, compare college costs, evaluate your options, and build a plan that fits your goals and circumstances.
Talk With Connect 101 →Remember
Financial aid information can vary by student, college, and circumstances. Use this resource to prepare questions and organize information, then confirm your specific financial aid information with the college's financial aid office.
Connect 101 Education Consulting, LLC provides educational guidance. We do not determine financial aid eligibility or replace a college's financial aid office.