Monday 26 December 2011

Figuring How Much Financial Aid You Can Afford Before Borrowing

By Elaine Q Dickerson


Figuring out "How much financial aid can I afford?" should be number one for any student planning on attending college. While this seems like easy money, it will all have to be repaid based on any future budget. With high tuition rates this can add up very quickly so care must be taken regarding this any funding requested.

The cost of school will vary significantly based on the institution and coursework. Therefore, using trusted websites such as FinAid can provide the figures needed to make a logical decision. A family contributions calculator is available on this site that will predict the amount that can be borrowed as well as the repayment amount based on family size, income, assets, and other information.

Like FAFSA4caster (http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/) these sites are easy to use if you have key information handy when you fill out the forms. In some cases Pell Grants can also be awarded. These do not have to be paid back. These sites will also provide suggestions for other funding sources.

Securing funding should not be depended upon as the only means of obtaining the total funds needed. Grants and scholarships are available under many unique features and for certain needs. These may be designated for things such as a specific careers, returning students, single parents, and so forth.

States also have financial aid, scholarships, and grants, so checking where you live is always a good idea. Many of these also focus on specific categories as well as factors like grades and test scores. For those pursuing higher education, there are many options.

Of course, qualifying for funding often depends on academic scores, grades, and other factors. Applications can also be renewed each year for those who are initially unsuccessful. The first step, however, is determining how much financial aid can you afford before requesting a loan.




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