RBC | Most high school seniors headed for college will soon be receiving financial aid award letters. Seniors and their parents should read those letters carefully, KHEAA advises.
The letter will usually show the total cost of attendance for one year, including tuition, fees, room, meals, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses.
It may also show how much the student’s family is expected to pay toward those costs, the expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is subtracted from the total cost of attendance to get a student’s financial need. The letter will then list various sources of financial aid offered to pay for the costs not covered by the EFC. Students can accept or reject any or all of those proposed sources.
Students can also appeal the awards if their family’s financial circumstances have changed.
One consideration is how much of the aid being offered is in federal student loans, which have to be repaid. If the package includes federal loans and isn’t enough to pay all expenses, students may be looking at a private loan. Comparison shopping is a must in that case.
But don’t choose a school based simply on cost. A more expensive college can be a better choice than a less expensive one that isn’t a good fit. Transferring or dropping out can increase the total cost of a college degree.
KHEAA is a public, non-profit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com.
Special to the Herald Times
