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                                                            Chapter I

                                       How to Apply

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If you want to know your EFC before completing the FAFSA form, we recommend the free online calculator at Family Contribution.

You can log into the FAFSA web site to complete the form online. The FAFSA site will give you a PIN number to speed up the process.  You need only one application no matter how many colleges receive your financial information.    

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Many private schools want information not requested on the federal application including the value of your family’s residence or farm. In addition to the federal form, these institutions ask you to complete a Financial Aid Profile® from the College Scholarship Service, the financial arm of the College Board. The cost is $9 to register plus $16 (New) for each school that receives your information. To order, click here

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Private institutions may, at their discretion, choose which report to use in their financial analysis. For a highly desirable student, the school may use the EFC generated by the federal form. For another student, the school may use the Profile® form, which may increase the family’s contribution by adding home assets to the formula and reducing the amount of institutional aid. While nearly all colleges and universities can and do negotiate tuition and financial aid, most parents are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to negotiating their own student’s education.  One firm that has had good success in saving students money and even negotiating with colleges is College Assistance Plus at CAPlus.

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Christian schools today have competitive financial aid programs. Numerous students at Toccoa Falls College in Northeast Georgia reduce their education costs by assisting local school districts. Through the America Reads Program, students earn up to $2,500 per year tutoring kindergarten through third grade children in reading and math. Toccoa Falls offers a work credit program where the earned income may be used for tuition, books or related expenses. For additional information, call 800-868-3257 or go to Toccoa Falls College.  To apply for financial aid at Toccoa Fall, parents and students use the FAFSA form.

Pensacola Christian College in Florida at PCCI has declined federal student aid to remain free of government interference. Yet, an extensive array of student financial aid is available. Nearly 50 percent of the 4,000 students on campus pay their own college expenses through the school’s work assistance program. Students may earn up to $2,800 per year to help offset the school’s affordable tuition fees.

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Nestled between the ocean and the mountains overlooking Santa Barbara, California, Westmont College offers an interest-free loan to California high school graduates based on the information gathered on the FAFSA form. In addition to the Pell Grant, the service cancelable Perkins Loan and the Federal Work-Study program, Westmont College also offers incoming students institutional grants and scholarships based on academic achievement. Sixty percent of all students receive student financial aid that is not repayable. For more information on student financial aid, log on Westmont or call 800-777-9011.

Taylor University in Indiana provides eligible students federal grants. They also participate in the Federal Work-Study program in which students may earn $1,800 or more per year. In addition to a Christian Leadership Scholarship worth 25 percent of tuition, students may be eligible to receive a Church Matching Grant of $750 per year for any funds contributed from a church or Para-church organization. 

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Of all the financial aid awarded at Palm Beach Atlantic, 84 percent is not repayable, including nearly $3,000 awarded to recipients of the Academic Merit Award. Students may also be eligible for the school’s Experience Scholarship or a church-related Vocation Scholarship. Interested students should call 888-GOTOPBA or go online at Palm Beach.

Four-year ROTC scholarships are available at Wheaton College through the Military Science Department. Merit scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores are also available. Wheaton has a President’s Achievement Award for freshmen finalists in the National Hispanic Scholar Program and a National Achievement Scholarship for outstanding African-American students. To help with tuition and fees, Wheaton has an installment plan available for monthly or deferred payments. Illinois residents may qualify for a state scholarship worth $4,500. There is also a special grant for students interested in medical missions following graduation. Log on Wheaton or call 630-752-5005.

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                    HELPFUL WEB LINKS

PHARMACY SHORTAGE
The shortage of trained Pharmacists continues to be in the news, especially with the advancing age of the baby boomers.  A pharmacy student today often receives 3 to 4 job offers before graduation as well as $80,000 to $90,000 starting salary.  In some cases the student may also receive signing bonus and a willingness to repay a portion of his or her student loans.  For more, click on Shortage. (New)

AMERICA'S HOTTEST JOBS
Here’s a list of the most sought-after applicants.  Want to know what career is the best right now, log onto Hot Jobs.

NURSING SHORTAGE
Industry experts continue to report a shortage of qualified nurses. Registered nurses with a minimum of one-year experience may be in an enviable position. California based HRN Services places RN's and other health care providers in hospitals across the country with flexible hours and lucrative benefits.  For more information, log onto Nursing.

START COLLEGE AS A SOPHOMORE

The surge in the number of students taking AP® tests is changing America's schools. Nearly 2 million students recently took AP exams, a whopping increase over the number of the college-level tests taken a decade ago. "The Advanced Placement Program, which began as a tiny experiment for top seniors seeking college courses and credit, has swelled to the point of altering the high school experience," notes Ben Feller at the Associated Press.  "A few hundred public high schools used to offer AP; now two-thirds of them do."  High scores on Advanced Placement exams can save thousands of dollars by enabling students to enter college with sophomore status. For more information, click on AP Classes.

CLEP® TESTS CAN SAVE STUDENTS THOUSANDS
The College-Level Examination Program ® or CLEP®, allows students to earn college credit for what they already know. The College Board has a special web site that provides all the details at CLEP.

WISE PLANNING HELPS AVOID COLLEGE DEBT
Strategic financial planning is the main focus of the author's article published online at Urbana by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.

TIPS ON CUTTING COLLEGE COSTS
High school students should read the following article on how to reduce the overall cost of attending college. Check out Crosswalk.

UNCLE SAM'S STUDENT GUIDE
Almost everything is now online including the current Student Guide.

COLLEGE MONEY
Today's military continues to be one of America's best-kept secrets when it comes to college scholarships and grants. Check out the Navy.  

TALBOT'S STUDENT PLANNING BOOK
Here's a great place to get good information.  Ask your high school guidance counselor for a copy, or log onto Talbot's Book and click on "articles."