Balancing Financial Aid and Attendance Costs for Students
This guide provides essential strategies for managing the costs of attendance while maximizing financial aid resources. It covers the various components of educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and living costs, and explores ways to reduce these expenses. The guide also highlights the importance of budgeting, resources for family financing, government aid, scholarships, and responsible borrowing. Students will learn how long it may take to graduate, the potential for job prospects, and how to make informed financial decisions about their education.
Balancing Financial Aid and Attendance Costs for Students
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Presentation Transcript
Stretching Student Aid Revised 8/2013
Shrinking Costs: Balancing Act Cost of Attendance Financial Resources Cost of Attendance
Shrinking Costs • Tuition & Fees • Books & Supplies • Transportation • Food • Housing • Utilities • Medical expenses • Entertainment • Cell phone • Clothes • Toiletries • Miscellaneous expenses
Shrinking Costs: Tuition and Fees Compare Schools Western Undergraduate Exchange Transfer credits Taking more credits Tuition reimbursement AmeriCorps Military service Part-Time enrollment
Shrinking Costs: Entertainment • Student Deals • Movies • Restaurants • Clubs and School Events • Sports classes • Activity-based clubs • Intermural sports • Campus events • Free Events • Community events • Community festivals • Make Your Own! • Potlucks • Movie nights • Craft nights • Outdoor trips
Shrinking Costs: Other • How long will it take to graduate? • What will my job prospects be like once I graduate? • What will my earning potential be once I graduate?
Shrinking Costs: Borrow Responsibly • What do you expect to earn? • How much do you expect to borrow? • Can you afford your estimated monthly payments after college? • Student loan payments should be no more than 8-10% of your monthly income.
Resources: A Balancing Act Cost of Attendance Financial Resources Cost of Attendance
Resources: 3 Pots of Money Family Financing Community Financing Government/ Institutional Financing
Resources: Family Financing • What can you and your family contribute to your college education? • Savings • Income • Investments • How many people are in your family? • How many are/will be in college? • What kind of unusual expenses do you have?
Resources: Community Financing What scholarships or other external funding can you find?
Resources: Scholarships TO FOR • Academics • Athletics • Community involvement • Leadership • Interests • Hobbies • Demographic • Field of Study • Family heritage • Income • School choice • Where you live • Where you’re from • Contest • Raffle • Essay • Portfolio • Affiliation • Beliefs and passions • Participation • Extra-Curricular • Skill • Birthday • School • Company • Organization • Individual FROM • YOU
Money: Government/Institutional Financing What funds are available to me through the federal or state government or from my college? • Financial Aid • Grants • Loans • Work-Study
Scenarios: On Campus COST OF ATTENDANCE: $28,043/semester (Private) *TUITION AND FEES: $21,063 STUDENT BUDGET: $6980
Scenarios: Off Campus COST OF ATTENDANCE: $8175/quarter (public) *TUITION AND FEES: $3449 STUDENT BUDGET: $4726/quarter
Final Message: It’s Up to You! • Where you go • How long you go • How much you work • How much you spend • Budgeting is an ongoing process • Creative ways to cut costs