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5 Questions to Ask Financial Aid Counselors at U.S. Colleges

By WTOP Staff

When applying to U.S. colleges, it is critically important that international students understand the financial aid policies at different schools. The best way to get all of the information is by asking the financial aid counselors directly.

Asking the following set of questions can help you get a clear sense of a school’s financial aid situation — and whether or not it is somewhere you should consider applying to or attending.

[Watch out for hidden costs for international students at U.S. colleges.]

1. Can international students qualify for financial aid?

This information can usually be found in the school’s website, yet it is subject to change. When I was applying, I knew a several students who were applying to a certain liberal arts college hoping that they would get financial aid, but there was no information on its website at the time.

However, while that college offered scholarships and need-based financial aid for U.S. citizens, it only awarded merit scholarships to qualified international students. To avoid this type of misunderstanding, it is critical that you check with your counselor about whether international students are considered for financial aid.

2. Will you be able to meet my family’s full financial need?

Do not be hesitate to ask this question. You do not want to waste time applying to the schools that cannot meet your need. If your family can only pay $15,000 per year, for example, your admissions chances might be in jeopardy.

You may get an answer that the school will not be able to bridge the payment gap. That is OK, as you at least will know that the school is off your list. Asking a counselor can save you a lot of time when choosing colleges that can meet your financial needs.

[Learn to understand need-blind and need-based financial aid policies.]

3. What factors most influence my chance of getting financial aid?

Some schools look for students with good performance on the SAT, a high GPA and participation in extrcurriculars. In this case, you should work on bringing your scores up and be as active in clubs and activities as possible. Other schools may be looking for someone with some unique artistic talents.

In that case, sending a footage of you mastering the piano could be just as valuable as a high SAT score — but be attentive to your academic performance as well, schools won’t necessarily accept students who are failing courses, regardless of their musical talent.

4. How much is tuition expected to increase each year?

Many colleges increase the amount of financial aid awarded every year to make sure that families pay the same amount as they did the first year. However, it is still crucial to know what increase in tuition to expect. If the change is considerably higher that what you and your family have expected, it will put a burden on your parents, who may be struggling to pay for your tuition.

[Know the questions to ask the international students office at a U.S. college.]

5. Are international students charged the same tuition and fees as American students?

At private colleges, international students generally pay the same fees as all other students. At public and state schools, international students generally pay what’s known as out-of-state tuition, which can be a lot higher than the in-state tuition. But in a few cases, international students are given incentives and only pay the low in-state tuition.

With that being said, paying tuition can become a bit complex, and it is necessary that you ask your counselors to find out the amount that you need to pay.

These five questions will help you get a clear sense of how financial aid policies in U.S colleges could influence where you’ll send your applications. However, they are not the only questions that you should ask. Be sure to bring up as many as you think of, because the more you understand how schools offer financial aid, the smoother your application process will be.

Moreover, before asking your counselors any questions, make sure that you have done careful research about each school’s financial aid policies. Don’t ask officials questions where the answers can be found online in seconds.

More from U.S. News

Use 5 Statistics to Find a U.S. College That Fits Your Needs

Key Tips for Selecting a Certified U.S. College

5 Ways for International Students to Research U.S. Community Colleges

5 Questions to Ask Financial Aid Counselors at U.S. Colleges originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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