1. NAVIGATING
FINANCIAL AID
UNCC SIFE

2. YOUR OPTIONS: PAYING FOR
COLLEGE
•Grants
•Loans
•Scholarships
•Work-Study Programs

3. GRANTS
Description: Grants are funds from the federal government for
school expenses. They don't have to repaid.
Who Qualifies?
Grants are typically given to students with financial need
Types:
- Pell Grant (up to $5,500)
- Academic Competitiveness Grant (Need and Merit-based)
- FSEOG Grant
- Major-Specific Grants
- State-Specific Grants

4. LOANS
Description: Funds given for school expenses that have to be
repaid. They are just like other loans and have interest.
Who Qualifies? Loans are generally given for students with
financial need, but less need than for grants.
From FAFSA:
- Perkins Loan (through college)
- Subsidized loans
Interest payments are paid for by government through
college
- Unsubsidized loans
You are responsible for all interest payments at all times,
even during college
- Parent PLUS loans (applied for by your parents)

5. LOANS
Private Loans
•Banks offer loans
•Must qualify for them just like a mortgage or car financing
(credit based)
•Not subsidized
•SallieMae

6. SCHOLARSHIPS
Description: Scholarships are FREE MONEY!
Who Qualifies? It depends on the scholarship. They can
depend on financial need, your grades, your location, your
activities, or just you writing an essay
Through Your School:
•Some schools will offer scholarships directly through your
FAFSA form
•Many departments have scholarships that you have to
apply for separately
•Merit scholarships: Look and see how your college awards
merit scholarships
•Automatically through your application
•Separate application

7. SCHOLARSHIPS
Private Scholarships:
Almost every organization you can think of offers
scholarships
•Start your search here:
o College Foundation of NC
o FastWeb
•Find ones that you are qualified for
•Apply early
•Write good essays (PROOFREAD)
Beware of Scholarship Scams!
•Require a payment to apply
•Guarantee awards

8. THE PROCESS- SECURING AND
USING AID
• Completing the FAFSA
• Using your Financial Aid Officer
• Manage your Refund

9. THE PROCESS OF FILLING
OUT THE FAFSA
• STEP #1
• Get organized!
• To simplify the application process, gather
required documents and other information ahead
of time.
o Determine Your Dependency Status
o FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
o Search for School Codes
o Students & Parents Apply For a PIN
o Check Application Deadline Dates

10. THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUT
THE FAFSA
• STEP #2 • STEP #3
• Fill out the application! • View your results online!
• The FAFSA contains • You can check the status
questions that ask about of your application, make
you, your financial corrections to a processed
information, your school FAFSA, and get other
plans, and more. information.
o Sign Electronically With Your PIN
o View and Print Your Student Aid Report
o Fill Out Your FAFSA o Check Status of a Submitted FAFSA or P
o Open Your Saved FAFSA or Correction Application
o Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA
o Add or Delete a School Code

11. WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT
MONEY??!!

12. WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT MONEY??!!
What is a Refund Check?
•
Consists of the amount of money left over after tuition
and fees are paid to the school. (Usually direct
deposit)
What SHOULD I do with my refund check?
•
1. Budget out how you are going to spend it
•
2. Keep some for yourself (savings)
•
3. Emergency fund
•
4. Pay down debt
•
5. Treat it like a gift
•
6. It's for school stuff, so use it for school stuff