For many students, the greatest source of fi nancial aid for higher education is the federal government. To be considered for federal grant and loan programs—including Stafford loans and Pell grants—students must fi le a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The earliest you can apply is January 1, so make it your New Year’s resolution to complete it as soon as possible. Because colleges and universities determine fi nancial aid packages on a rolling basis, it is most advantageous for you to fi le the FAFSA as soon as possible after the January 1 deadline in the year you plan to attend college. Completing the FAFSA earlier may increase your chances of getting a better fi nancial aid package. You have to fi le the FAFSA each year you want financial aid.
After fi ling the FAFSA, you will receive a student aid report (SAR), which determines
how much money you and your family should anticipate paying for your college expenses.
The expected family contribution (EFC) listed is what college fi nancial aid offi ces
use to determine how much you and your family will have to pay toward your education.
The EFC is based on income and the assets belonging to you and your parents.
If your parents aren’t willing or able to pay for all the EFC or only a portion of it, you—the
student—are responsible for the cost unless you meet the very narrow guidelines of being
an “independent” student. There are only a few ways that students can be separated from
their parents fi nancially for consideration as independent students. You must be one of
the following:
■ a student at least 24 years of age
■ a student pursuing a graduate degree
■ an orphan or ward of the court
■ a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
■ a married student or a person with dependent children or other dependents
who live with the student and who receive more than half of their support
from the student.
You can see why it’s so important to have a frank conversation with your parents about
college costs. Unless you fi t the independent student status each year, you will still need
their income fi gures to report on the FAFSA, and each year, your fi nancial aid package
will be based on those numbers. Obtaining parental support about which college you attend
and agreeing how much both they and you will contribute to the expense is critical
in making the best fi nancial plan for college, a plan that is likely to span the entire four
years of your education. And keep in mind that many students do not fi nish college in
four years. Some degree plans or certain college programs (like picking up an education
certifi cation credential) can stretch your college years past the traditional four. Other
possibilities, like switching majors, also can make college take longer. So if you think an
extra semester or fi fth year might be a possibility, you may want to consider that in your
fi nancial plan as well.
Once you have been accepted to the colleges, they will send fi nancial aid packages that
outline what your family is expected to contribute and the level of aid offered by the
school. When you receive these fi nancial aid packages, you will have a much better picture
of what the cost of college will be. It is important to remember that at most higher
educational institutions, tuition and room and board costs traditionally rise each year so
the estimated amounts that you are given will be only for your freshman year. To plan
for the cost of your entire education, you will have to make some estimates of what the
remaining three years will cost given the impact of infl ation and other factors.
If you feel that you are due more fi nancial aid than you are offered, you can ask for a reassessment
with the fi nancial aid offi ce. This doesn’t always bring success, but it is worth
a try. If you are an excellent student, have exceptional artistic ability (such as might be
indicated by obtaining one of the school’s artistic scholarships) or if you have extenuating
fi nancial circumstances, it will be easier to plead your case to the fi nancial aid offi ce. And
don’t forget that each year is a new year. If costs are rising to the point where you or your
family can’t pay the tuition or if your fi nancial situation has changed, you can revisit the
fi nancial aid offi ce and ask them to reassess your package.
Artistic Scholarships
For talented creative arts students, a number of colleges and universities offer special
scholarships based on artistic ability. Considering college programs that offer such scholarships
is a good way to narrow your search if you are considering a number of schools.
In most cases, competing for artistic scholarships is either part of the portfolio review
process for visual arts students or the audition process for performing arts students.
Even if a school doesn’t offer artistic scholarships, it’s important not to rule it out immediately.
The availability of artistic scholarships should be one factor in your decision-making
process but not the only one. It is best to apply for as many artistic scholarships as you can
to investigate all your options. Remember that there are also scholarships offered by arts
organizations not affi liated with specifi c colleges. When the time comes to decide which
school to attend, sit down with all the information including funding from an artistic
scholarship, your fi nancial aid package, your fi rsthand experience visiting the college and
detailed information about the degree programs. Then decide where to go from there.
Part-time Work
Working while in school requires some time management, but it’s possible. These days,
more and more students work part-time to supplement the cost of their education. As part
of your fi nancial aid package, you may be eligible for the federal work-study program,
which allows you to fi nd a job on campus. If you are lucky, you may be able to fi nd a job
within your department. This way, not only will you earn money to pay for expenses, but
you will also gain valuable experience in your fi eld that you can put on your résumé.
Gaining employment experience off campus is also an option; wages might be slightly
higher than in federal work-study programs, and making contacts off campus can be
helpful in seeking internships later in your college career. If you do take the plunge to get
a part-time job in the “real world,” it may be benefi cial to fi nd a job related to your fi eld of
study. The experience could be invaluable when looking for that fi rst job after graduation
from college. Here are some ideas:
Art Students
■ Work at an art gallery or museum
■ Work at a local arts organization
■ Teach art to children
■ Try to sell your art whether it’s a painting, illustration or graphic design work
Drama Students
■ Work at a local professional theatre company
■ Find out if you can get paid to assist with local high school plays and musicals
■ If you live in a major metropolitan area, see if you can land any acting gigs
Dance Students
■ Teach dance to children at a local dance studio
■ Work at a local dance company
■ Work at a dance supply store
Music Students
■ Work at a local symphony or opera company
■ Teach music to children
■ Work at a music supply store
Source: Creative Colleges: A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians and Writers
