AFFORDING YOUR EDUCATION
Your
How-To Guide
GREETINGS FROM COX COLLEGE
Our Mission
Cox College is committed to excellence by meeting the educational needs of students and the health care community.
2 Affording Your Education
As I read this quote, I am reminded of the importance of what a sound education can do to, indeed, improve your tomorrow. We are excited you are interested in our institution for completing your educational dream. We realize navigating the financial piece of your education can be daunting. Our purpose here at Cox College is to simplify the application process, answer questions you may have related to affording your education, and provide a valuable college experience with a path to completing your degree.
At Cox College, our mission statement of being “…committed to excellence...” also serves as the foundation of our pledge and dedication to providing the upmost quality of health education to those reaching out to us. A college education is one of the most important financial investments you can make, and you will reap the vast returns throughout your career. Our hope is that this publication will provide clarity in the application process and answer any questions related to Affording Your Education.
We’re here to help you get started. Please feel free to contact us (see page 11) with any questions you may have related to the process. We are honored you are considering Cox College and look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Sonya Hayter, EdD Vice President Student Affairs and College Advancement
Questions? Email FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu. We’re here to help you.
What you do today can improve all your tomorrows ~ - Ralph Marston
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FUNDING YOUR FUTURE
Paying for your education can seem like an overwhelming task, and we understand the stress that comes with it. Fortunately, there are many ways to fund your future! Here are some of the different options our students have available to them.
CoxHealth Auxiliary Scholarships
The Auxiliary scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship awarded to students who intend to work for CoxHealth for three years after graduation.
Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
Cox College is fortunate to have been chosen as one of the designated higher education institutions for the new Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. This grant is a program designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand. This program will provide students with grants to assist with tuition and general fees. For those interested in this exciting new program, please scan the QR code for eligibility and application information.
Private Scholarships
Students are not limited to Cox College scholarships only. We encourage you to apply for scholarships from organizations and foundations outside of Cox College, too!
CoxHealth Employee Benefits
Undergraduate students who are working full-time or part-time for CoxHealth are eligible to apply for a 20% tuition discount at Cox College!
Additionally, all full-time CoxHealth employees can receive up to $1,200 in tuition reimbursement annually.
Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
The work study program is funded by both the Department of Education and Cox College. This program allows students to not only earn money, but to gain valuable experience through the student employment program.
Grants and Loans
- Federal Pell Grant for undergraduate students
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Missouri Access Grant
- Subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans
- Graduate PLUS loan - Missouri Family Education Loan Program (MOFELP)
Military Educational Benefits
We are so thankful for your service to our country. Cox College welcomes the opportunity to assist veterans and active duty service members with academic plans and preparation for the future!
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
- Military Tuition Assistance. For more info about military benefits contact veteransservices@coxcollege.edu
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
These are just several examples. Please check other health-related websites for additional scholarship opportunities
.................................................................................................................
Diversity Nursing
Missouri Public Heath Association Gamma Mu Foundation
4 Affording Your Education
COST OF ATTENDANCE
COX COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Cox College need and merit-based scholarships
Applying for Cox College scholarships is one of the most common and highly recommended options for students (scan QR code on next page to apply). We award over $300,000 in scholarships annually to students from all programs! There are over 70 available scholarships, and approximately 60% of eligible students who apply for scholarships receive at least one.
My scholarship from Cox College Foundation means more to me than obtaining money; it means that my society (community) believed in me. I am very passionate about pursuing my nursing career. After receiving this honor, I felt encouraged and determined to make my dreams a reality. - Tori Tummons
cost of tuition & fees for Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Average cost is based on full-time
of
vary
cost
be higher or lower
on
Does NOT include the cost of
supplies, and
fees.
Average
PLEASE NOTE
status (number
hours
between programs). Actual
could
depending
degree program.
books,
additional
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE
5
Questions? Email FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu. We’re here to help you.
GETTING STARTED
FINANCIAL AID TERMS
Financial aid can seem like a daunting process, but 65% of Cox College students use Financial Aid to support their education. Once you understand a few key terms, it gives you a foundation for how the process works.
Cost of attendance
Financial Aid
Expected Family Contribution
Financial Aid includes loans, grants, and work study programs that help make college affordable.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form gives families and students access not just to federal loans, but also state aid (if available). The form can be filled out online at StudentAid.gov/fafsa.
Applications can be filled out starting October 1st of each year and need to be filled out every year a student needs financial aid.
Financial Need
Financial need is the difference between the estimated cost of attendance for a school year and the estimated family responsibility (expected family contribution). Your expected family contribution is calculated through the FAFSA®.
Financial Need
Because several factors in the evaluation are subject to change from year to year, this evaluation is made annually for each student who applies for financial aid.
Cost of attendance (COA)
Our estimate of each year’s total college costs includes tuition, fees, books, and supplies, etc.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
EFC formula used by the federal government to determine what students and their families could contribute toward college cost.
Subsidized Loan
The student is not charged interest while enrolled in school at least half-time or during any deferment periods.
Unsubsidized Loan
Interest begins after disbursement of the loan funds; however, students may choose to defer payment of interest during enrollment.
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6 Affording Your Education
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
The FSA ID is a username and password that you create and will use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (DE) websites.
Parents
have
child or children’s FAFSA
Receiving a Cox College Foundation Scholarship is an absolute honor. It motivates me and my decision to continue my education in the nursing field and gives me the means to do so. - Kamryn Voris
PLEASE NOTE
IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) allows students and parents who filed a U.S. tax return with the IRS to access their IRS tax return information. That information is needed to complete the FAFSA® form and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan requests by transferring the data directly into their forms.
If you’re eligible to use the IRS DRT, we highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:
1. It’s the easiest way to provide your tax return information.
2. It’s the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA® form and/or IDR plan requests have accurate tax information.
3. Using it on your FAFSA form will mean you won’t need to provide a copy of your or your parents’ tax returns to the college.
If you use the IRS DRT to transfer your tax return information from the IRS, the information won’t display on your FAFSA form or IDR plan request form. For your protection, the answer to each question is replaced with “Transferred from the IRS.”
Registered
Source: https://studentaid.gov/
1. Request an Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
• Your FSA
• Your
• Your
tax
• Parent’s
•
Get your award
of a dependent student should
their own FSA ID if signing your
electronically. 2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Go online to www.studentaid.gov and download or fill out electronically. You will need:
ID
Social Security number
W-2
documents
Social Security numbers • Parent’s tax documents
Cox College code: 013877 NOTE: Independent students and graduate students will need their own tax documents. 3.
notification
students will receive via Cox College email your financial aid offer with instructions for accepting/declining the federal offer.
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Questions? Email FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu. We’re here to help you.
WHY EARN A DEGREE? 8 Affording Your Education Average Median Annual Salary Increases with Degrees Earned High School Diploma Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Doctorate Degree $32 ,500 $42 ,000 $55,700 $63,000 $100,000+ Total: 4.7% 1.5 1.8 2. 6 3.5 4.6 6.2 8.3 Unemployment rate (%) 5.5 Other Advantages Studies have shown that degrees tend to improve career and life quality by giving... • Higher career satisfaction • More advancement opportunities • Jobs with more generous benefits • Targeted fields of interest • Survive recessions better • More satisfaction in life • A better sense of well-being • Able to provide for families better Dietitians & Nutritionists Radiologic Technologist Registered Nurse Medical Resonance Imaging Technologist Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Occupational Therapist Nuclear Medicine Technologist Nurse Practitioner $47,040$ 63,190 $57,910 $47,110 $61,940 $55,860 $59,580 $69,240 $67,950 $64,110 $80,090 $75,220 $61,340 $97,410 $78,990 $60,550 $76,730 $70,100 $73,690 $94,800 $79,080 $95,830 $121,070 $103,490 Average Salary Average Annual Median Salary information from U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau based on 2013 projections and research. Average Salary information listed along with 25% and 75% percentile range. Source: Division of Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for Workforce Regions produced by MERIC. Unemployment rate source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey. Accessed by https://meric.mo.gov/data/occupation/occupational-employment-wages.
MAKING ONLINE PAYMENTS
Receiving a Cox College scholarship relieved some financial burden which I was so thankful for. I also felt very honored to be chosen among so many smart and hardworking fellow students. I am very appreciative of Cox and all the donors for their commitment to our education and their generosity.
- Katherine BagbyKEEP IN MIND
Flexible program schedules help make completing your degree possible, too. Nights and Weekend and online options available. We know you have a life, and we’re committed to helping you succeed.
Easy Pay Options
On Nelnet, you can make payments from your checking or savings account, or from a credit or debit card. You can even set up scheduled payments that will automatically process on the 5th, 15th, or 20th day of the month.
Enrolling in Nelnet is easy.
• Go to www.MyCollegePaymentPlan.com/cox
• Click on the “enroll today” icon
NOTE: If someone is paying on your behalf, please set them up as an authorized payer first.
The costs to participate include:
• Nonrefundable $25 enrollment fee per agreement
• Nonrefundable $2 enrollment fee for an immediate full payment
• Nonrefundable $30 returned payment fee
Target dates to enroll by:
Fall semester: Payment plans are available in May Spring semester: Payment plans are available in October Summer: Payment plans are available in March
NOTE: Availability of payment plans are determined by Cox College. The earlier you enroll for a payment plan, the better!
Questions? Email FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu. We’re here to help you.
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WE’RE HERE TO HELP Contact the Office of Financial Aid and partner units with questions: FINANCIAL AID FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu ADVISEMENT Advisement@coxcollege.edu ADMISSIONS Admissions@coxcollege.edu REGISTRAR Registrar@coxcollege.edu COX COLLEGE 417-269-3401 NEXT STEPS Step 1 Submit your completed admission application by the stated deadline* Step 2 Request ALL official transcripts be sent directly from each institution to Cox College Step 3 Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.gov/FAFSA using school code 013877 Step 4 The Financial Aid Office will send Financial Aid Notifications (FANS) to admitted students on a rolling basis Attending Cox College Isn’t Just a Good Decison, It’s a Lifetime Decision. We
Our
returned
further
education.
even returned
generation
staff
an ally in every
* For programmatic deadlines, please contact Admissions or Advisement Questions? Email FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu. We’re here to help you. 11
have a proud tradition of training health care professionals.
alumni have gone on to do great things. Some have
to
their
Others have
to teach the next
of health care professionals. Through it all the
and faculty of Cox College have always been there to assist our graduates in whatever way we can. Our graduates remember their experiences here and have even been quick to assist fellow graduates through networking, mentoring, and serving alongside students in the community. What does this mean for you? You’ll have
graduate you meet.
Leaders in Health Care Education
Cox College
1423 N. Jefferson Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65802 FinancialAid@coxcollege.edu CoxCollege.edu 417-269-3401
Information and statistics used in this publication are current as of 01/23