Friday, May 1 is National College Decision Day. You’ve made your school selection! Congrats!… Now what? One of the next steps, now that you know where you’ll be attending, is sitting down with a financial aid administrator at your college of choice. These meetings can be overwhelming, with all the new financial information you’ll be receiving. Do yourself, and your future, a favor and head to that meeting prepared with some questions to ask.
Here’s our list of 10 questions to ask your financial aid administrator:
1. What is the accurate total cost? This includes, but not limited to, tuition fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal miscellaneous expenses.
2. Does the school offer a work study program? If so, are there academic requirements that I have to meet to participate in a work study program? If I choose to participate in a work study program how many hours a week am I required to work?
3. Is the school able to meet 100% of my financial need, or is aid distributed on a first-come, first-served basis?
4. If the amount of financial aid awarded to me is insufficient for my situation am I able to appeal or ask if there is more financial aid available?
5. Are there academic requirements I need to meet to receive financial aid?
6. If something happens to my financial situation in the middle of the year, will I be able to receive more financial aid?
7. What are your financial aid deadlines?
8. How and when will I receive my financial aid?
9. Are there restrictions on what I can use my financial aid on?
10. Does the amount of financial aid first granted to me renew each year or do I have to re-apply?
We also suggest that sign up for your iontuition account as soon as you make your decision. With iontuition you’ll be able to keep track of all the loans you receive, the grants your awarded, and even set budgets in your personalized dashboard.
For more student finance resources, head over to our ionLearn feature.