Financial Aid
What is the form that students and parents will fill out their senior year to receive federal aid for college?
What is FAFSA?
What type of college can you go to for a reduced cost per credit, completion of all of your general elective classes, and an Associate’s Degree?
A: What is a community college?
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is utilized by over 800 colleges and universities and it is where you fill out one application and it can be submitted to the variety of schools that accept the application.
As a freshman in college what are two resources that you can access in college that can help you in your classes?
Tutoring, Writing Lab, Math Lab, study groups, your professor (office hours), your teacher assistant, your peers, your advisor.
What type of appliances and accessories should / could you bring to your college residence hall? (Name 3).
A microwave, Sheets, Pillow, shower sandals, a mini-fridge. A dirty clothes hamper.
What is the grant from the federal government that is awarded to students who have high financial need?
What is the Pell Grant? ($6,495 2021)
What is the difference between a public college and a private college?
A: A public college is run by the state government while private colleges are independent, either non-profit or for-profit. Public colleges usually have a lower tuition rate for in-state students and are a cheaper option for middle-class students.
What are the Top 3 academic pieces colleges look at for your admission?
GPA, Difficulty of Courses Taken and SAT/ACT scores
After you graduate high school will you be able to belong to a TRIO program in college?
Yes! Most colleges have Trio Student Success—they will have all the support services listed before but also food, a study area, computers, 1-on-1 advising, etc.
What is one way for you to save money in college, have your housing paid for and receive a small stipend each semester?
Become a Resident Advisor for your hall! Being an RA allows you to connect with the student body, save money, build work skills and your resume and help students adjust to the college lifestyle.
What documents and numbers must you have to complete the FAFSA?
What is prior-prior taxes (2018 for 2020 graduates) for student and parent, W2’s, and your SSNs.
(Guess 1 of these 3 and you get a point)
If you would like to study a specific trade or set of job skills how do receive that training?
You can study at a vocational school, or go into a community college to train specifically in a certificate program.
College application costs are expensive! What benefit do you have with being a part of Talent Search in this area?
A: Talent Search will waive the fee for your college applications. That is done by clicking a box saying you are in TRIO or sending in a letter asking for a waiver.
If you are behind or need help in one of your classes who can you go to besides a tutoring center?
Your professor. Every professor is required to have office hours where their students can come and discuss their class concerns and projects.
Do I have to live in the residence halls?
A: Most colleges require that you live in the residence halls your freshman year unless you live 50 miles or less away from campus and are living with your parents. Some require you live on campus for two years. There are typically freshman style residence halls and apartments. Upperclassmen can rent the apartments just like you would living off-campus.
If I have to take out student loans what type of loans do I want to take out?
What is a federal loan?
What is a commuter college?
A: What is a college where most students do not live on campus but commute to classes and live either at home or in their own apartments off campus.
What do you think are two questions that a college application might ask for you to write an essay on?
How have you contributed to your community?
What is a challenge you have overcome and how will that help you persist in college?
Why do you want to attend this institution?
How will your life experiences contribute to diversity on campus?
It’s important to keep fit while in college, name 2 things you could do to stay active at college.
1) go to the Rec Center (campus gym)
2) Join an intermural sport
3) Go on trips with the outdoor rec center
What can help you decide if a campus is the right fit for you?
A: Go on a college tour. You can go see 5+ colleges on our fall and spring college tours. But you can also schedule a tour of a college anytime you are in town so check out colleges when you go on vacation.
What is the difference between a federal loan and a private loan?
Federal loans are through the government and have a variety of protections including fixed interest rates when you are out of college where as private loans are through private institutions that can have fluctuating interest rates and limited choices in your payments. (Federal Loan interest rates as of 2019 are 5.05%)
What is the difference between a university and a college?
A: Colleges are often smaller and focus on undergraduate education (Bachelor’s degree). Universities usually are larger and you can pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD Degrees.
Are most Colleges in Colorado hard to get into? What classes do I need to take in order to get in?
No, all but 1 college in Colorado admit more than 70% of students who apply. Colleges often require HEAR classes - including 3 years of math after Algebra 1 and a foreign language.
Once you enter college do you solely rely on your parents’ taxes and FAFSA to see how much financial aid you receive each year?
No! Almost every college has Foundation scholarships and Departmental scholarships that you can apply for each year. However, they are not usually publicly advertised and you should go to your Financial Aid department every semester to ask what scholarships you would qualify for.
If you are having a hard time adjusting to college and you have talked with your RA and it still seems to not be turning around where else can you turn?
The counseling center at your school! It is a free service to students and is completely confidential.