Understanding Financial Aid Series

Financial Aid Offer

At this point, you should soon be receiving your official Financial Aid Offer email from us. This offer will show the overall costs of attending King's College and the estimated aid deductions you are eligible for from King's, the federal government, or your state. The information in your offer is based on what was submitted in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and your application to King's. Nearly all our students receive financial assistance and, last year, our average first-year offer was $32,613.

Estimated Direct Costs

At the top of your offer, you will see Estimated Direct Costs. These are the typical charges you think of when attending college, which include tuition, fees, housing, and meals (if you live on campus). Your Financial Aid Offer shows these estimates before factoring in any scholarships or financial aid, so you can have a full understanding of the overall cost of your attendance. These items will show up on your bill.

Scholarships and Grants

As part of your application process with the FAFSA, you were automatically considered for any possible scholarships and grants. King's College scholarships are merit-based and renewable each year for up to four years. Grants are awarded based on financial need and can also come from King's College (such as our Grant-in-Aid) or the state or federal government (PHEAA State Grant, PELL Grant, or SEOG Grant). Both scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. Hooray, for free money!

Estimated Indirect Costs

As with most things in life, there are other costs associated with going to college that will not show up on your bill, such as books, supplies, clothing, entertainment, and transportation. We want you and your family to be prepared and factor in expenses that may come up over the year. We want to make it clear that King's College is not charging you for these items but includes these estimates so you can budget wisely. Everyone will see a standard total of $2,600 on their Financial Aid Offer in consideration of these expenses.

To read more about scholarships and grants, please visit studentaid.gov.

Subsidized Loans

Subsidized loans are need-based. The most important thing to know about this loan is that the interest is subsidized (or financed) by the government. This means you do not accrue interest while you are in school. If eligible, your subsidized loan award will increase each year. If you choose to take this loan, repayment will begin six months after graduation.

Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized loans are offered to all eligible students regardless of financial need. Because these are awarded independently from need, unsubsidized loans do accrue interest while you're attending school. If eligible, your unsubsidized loan award will increase each year. If you choose to take this loan, interest will either need to be paid quarterly while you're in college or paid later at a higher cost. Repayment of the loan itself will begin six months after graduation.

Work Study

Federal work-study, which is based on financial need, is offered to eligible students who filed their FAFSA. These work-study positions provide part-time, on-campus jobs to students. If awarded, you will find the total amount of aid on your Financial Aid Offer. When you start your semester at King's, you can apply for a variety of student aide positions in academics, athletics, administrative offices, the library, IITS, science labs, or other roles. Your aid will then be distributed in a bi-weekly paycheck. Because this isn't a loan, you do not have to repay this aid! In fact, you can use these funds to pay for education expenses or apply them to your tuition bill.

If you do not qualify for federal work-study but have financial need, you still have another option. You can apply for an institutional work-study position, which is paid directly by King's College and will not appear in your Financial Aid Award.

To read more about federal loans and work study, please visit studentaid.gov.

Supplementing Financial Aid

When you add up all your scholarships, grants, and financial aid, you'll have an estimate of how much you'll still need to pay out of pocket. Of course, any savings that you may have built up for college will help bring down this amount, but did you know there are other ways to reduce your balance and student loan borrowing?

You can apply for private scholarships offered through businesses, foundations, or organizations. It will take a bit of work, but there are many opportunities that exist! College Board and Fastweb are fantastic resources to start your search.

Parents can also apply for a Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) that covers remaining costs-including indirect expenses like books, a laptop, or transportation-while some families turn to private education loans to supplement their financial aid offers. We recommend this article from studentaid.gov to learn more about the differences between federal and private loan options.

And don't forget, there are other small ways you can save money: renting textbooks, working part-time, prepping your own food to reduce your meal plan, or even double majoring to get two degrees for the price of one!

What to Consider When Comparing Offers

We know picking your college is a big choice, and finances are a huge component of what drives your decision if you've applied to multiple schools. But it's also important to consider the overall value of your degree in terms of your experiences. Before you make your final selection, consider these points:

• The Bottom Line: The largest scholarship offer may not be the least expensive option, especially if it comes from the most expensive institution on your list. You should look line by line to understand what is included in your offer as some institutions show optional loans that make your out-of-pocket cost seem lower than it is..
• Renewable Aid: Check if the aid in your offer can be renewed, increased, or decreased with each year's FAFSA application. Remember, it's helpful to plan for your entire college career, not just your initial award. Resources at studentaid.gov are extremely helpful in understanding the details of any debt you take on as a student.
• Hidden Costs: Some schools require you to live on campus longer, which will cost more money down the line. King's requires students out of commuter range (45 miles) to only live on campus for their first two years. Compare each institution's residence life policy, fees, and overall costs.
• Experiential Value: These next four years are formative! Consider the intangibles that don't have a price tag: your experiences outside of class, accelerated learning options, extracurriculars and leadership opportunities that will set you apart after graduation, or a powerful network of alumni.