Everything You Need to Know About Financial Aid Made Simple

As you start to think about going back to school and enrolling in a vocational program, you may have one pressing question on your mind – how will I pay for school?

Believe it or not, this is a pressing question for every student that enrolls in college. You want to know how you will pay for your program, how much it will cost, and if there are any options available to help you afford college.

Your education is an investment and one that you want to make but may not always have the resources available to make. Fortunately, when you choose to enroll at Florida Career College, we can help!

We have many financial aid options for you to choose from and below, we will introduce you to what options are available for those who qualify.

Want to talk about paying for school? Do not hesitate to reach out to one of our FCC financial aid advisors today.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID?

In short, most students are eligible for financial aid; however, there are some circumstances where you may not be eligible.

To meet some of the basic requirements to be eligible for financial aid, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Registered with the selective service (for male applicants only)

To determine your eligibility and how much aid you may qualify for, students should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). For any questions regarding financial aid eligibility, contact our financial aid advisors today.

WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Below, we will explore the different financial aid options that are available to students who qualify. The amount you qualify to receive will depend on your financial situation as some of these options are offered on a need basis.

GRANTS

Students have the opportunity to receive wither the Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Florida Career College offers campus scholarships to students and our financial aid team can provide you with information on which scholarships you may qualify for.

These funds, if awarded, do NOT have to be repaid.

WORK STUDY

Some students may be eligible for a Federal Work Study opportunity. This opportunity allows you to earn money through working at one of our campuses to help pay for your tuition and fees.

STUDENT LOANS

Student loans are available to all students and MUST be repaid with interest. Students can receive student loans to help pay for their classes, supplies, tuition, and more. There are four main types of student loans:

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

These loans are offered to students who show a demonstrated financial need. No credit check is required to borrow, and the government pays the interest on these loans while you are enrolled in school AT LEAST half time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

These loans are offered to all students and are not dispersed based on a need. No credit check is needed for these loans. Interest begins accruing on these loans immediately.

Federal PLUS Loans

These are low-interest loan options for parents of undergraduate students. Payment on PLUS loans begins 30 days after the first disbursement.

Institutional Loans

These are additional loans that can help you fund your education beyond the other type of aid you have been offered or awarded.

AM I CONSIDERED DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT?

One of the most confusing questions that students run into is whether they are considered dependent or independent. But, why does that even matter?

Well, if you are considered dependent, you will need to provide your parent’s income information on the FAFSA.

To determine if you are independent, look at the list below. If you answer “yes” to any of the below questions, you ARE considered independent.

• Are you married as of today?
• Will you be 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the school year for which you are applying for aid?
• Do you have dependents or children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Are you working on a degree beyond a bachelor’s degree in the current school year?
• Are you a veteran of the US armed forces or on active duty?
• Are you or were you an orphan, ward of the court, in foster care, or are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

COME IN TODAY FOR A FINANCIAL AID APPOINTMENT

We know how confusing it can be to go through the different options available and our team is here to help you. There are options out there for you to pay for college, so you do not have to panic.

The financial aid advisors at Florida Career College want to help you get the funds you need to pay for school and advance your career and education.

Below, you will find a list of documents to bring with you to your appointment:

• Your driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Your permanent resident card
• Your U.S. passport
• Your social security card
• Your GED or high school diploma
• Transcripts from other schools
• Your tax transcripts (parent’s tax transcripts IF dependent)

Need to schedule an appointment? Call us today!