Financial Aid – old
 The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens annually to all students wishing to attend college in the fall on October 1st.For a step-by-step tutorial for your FAFSA, watch this walk-through video: FASA Walk-through
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The average cost of tuition and fees for one year at a public four-year college is approximately $5,000. The average cost of tuition and fees for one year at a private four-year-college is approximately $13,000. Books and supplies average a little over $4,600, while room-and-board averages between $4,000-$5,000.
Financial aid often makes it possible for students to attend colleges they would have otherwise thought to be too expensive. Students and parents therefore should never assume that they cannot afford a particular college or university.
Financial aid is money that is given or lent to help students pay for their education. It can be received as a grant, scholarship or loan.
As a general rule, private colleges are smaller and public colleges are less expensive. A student attending a public college/university in a different state, will have to pay the more expensive out-of-state tuition. For example, the tuition for one year at Ohio State university is approximately $6.000 for an Ohio resident, but around $17,000 for an out-of-state resident.
Tip: When filling out your FAFSA, be sure to use the Data Retrieval Tool when supplying your data. This will aid in minimizing your being selected for verification.
What is Verification?
Students who file FAFSA may randomly be selected for verification of data entered on the FAFSA. This verification will be required by the Government, not the school, so you will need to contact each school, if you have sent your FAFSA report to multiple schools. You can easily note if you will be required to verify your information, by looking at your SAR.
If you have an asterisk (*) next to your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number, you can expect to communicate with your intended college(s) for explanation of what you need to verify. Also, if you have a “C” next to that asterisk, this means that your college has a Comment Code on your file and you will need to speak with them regarding the comment. These two examples are evident in the Sample SAR Report.
What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
Breakdown of the Student Aid Report
What is Work-study?
When filling out your FAFSA, we encourage you to check the box for Work-study. This will allow you the possibility of getting a job on campus to help you with college fees. Your financial situation will determine how many hours you may work and wages are very competitive with other jobs. Benefits to Work-study include working around your class schedule, competitive pay, flexibility with student life, professional environment, networking potential with departments at your college, ability to work on campus so you don’t need to travel. You will learn things about your school that will help you be more successful. Check the box and follow up with the Financial Aid office after you file your FAFSA. Apply early and watch your email for messages. Some of the jobs you could get include, Tutor/mentors, Research Assistant, IT/Computer, Library Aid, Lab Assistants, Teacher Assistants, and more.
Is the FAFSA and/or SAR confusing? Please ask the Financial Aid office at your college for help with any questions. Watch your emails for communications from the college Admissions and Financial Aid offices. Read and Respond Quickly! Don’t miss deadlines because you didn’t pay attention to your email requests for information.
The Complete Guide to Teaching Kids About MoneyOne more reason to file your FAFSA! Did you know that students who qualify for Pell grants can receive additional funding to cover the full cost of college? There is no need to fill out additional applications, just apply for admission and submit your FAFSA to qualify! Don’t wait – deadlines apply; and when the funds are used, you are out of luck.
UTAH COLLEGES ARE ABLE TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING VIA THE FAFSA FORM.
Access Utah Promise Scholarship Program – The state of Utah provides assistance to qualifying students with financial need to cover up to full tuition at any Utah college. Eligibility requirements include: high school diploma, not previously earned an associate degree, Utah resident, demonstrate financial need, accept all other grants, tuition and/or fee waivers, and scholarships offered to intended institution, and maintain good academic standing in college. This is a Last Dollar scholarship, covering all remaining fees after all other waivers/scholarships/grants are used. See here for complete details. Students must file FAFSA for eligibility. Talk to your college financial aid office for more information.
Higher Education Success Stipend Program (HESSP) – State of Utah Grant and Work Study program for students who have financial need. This can be used at any Utah college. Eligibility includes: students must file FAFSA and be eligible for grants or work study assistance, be a Utah resident, be admitted to college and attend at least half-time, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. See here for complete details and talk to your college financial aid office for eligibility.
HERE ARE A FEW COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR GRANTS THROUGH FAFSA. ASK YOUR COLLEGE ABOUT OTHER OPTIONS. Be aware of early deadlines. Application for these scholarships are in conjunction with admission application and FAFSA completion.
- Cougar Pell Promise – https://enrollment.byu.edu/financialaid/cougar-pell-promise
- UVU – Greenlight Scholarship: https://www.uvu.edu/financialaid/scholarships/greenlight.html
- Weber – Dream Weber: https://www.weber.edu/dreamweber#:~:text=The%20Dream%20Weber%20program%20began,income%20was%20%2425%2C000%20or%20less.&text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20Dream,earning%20potential%20throughout%20your%20life.
- SLCC – Promise: https://www.slcc.edu/promise/
- U of U – For Utah Scholarship: https://admissions.utah.edu/forutah/
- Westminster – Griffin Grant: https://westminstercollege.edu/paying-for-college/financial-aid/grants.html
- Dixie Promise
- SUU Promise – notify the SUU Financial Aid office that you would like to be added to the list of recipients
Need to understand Financial Aid terms better? Student Finance Glossary
Offering loans and scholarships, and advice on how to save money while going to college in Utah: College Affordability Guide
Do you know about the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)? It is a program that partners with western states in helping students attend colleges out-of-state for reduced tuition fees. Eligible states include: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, The Commonwealth of Northern Marina Islands, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. To find out if you are eligible for the WUE or to apply, contact your intended college’s financial aid office.
If you would like to add information to our website or scholarship database, or would like to report an error, please contact Derek.Bennett@jordandistrict.org.
