How Do I Pay For College?

O

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

COST

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

$100

FOR PAY l eis

Computer

$free/ blue bikes

www.usu.edu/about

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

apartment

study space

$700

Thousands of friends: 16,400 students; the largest and oldest public residential campus in Utah.

***Estimated cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, rent, food, and books. Totals vary by student. View payment plans at www.usu.edu/registrar.

Thriving community: Logan is ranked a top 5 college town nationally and the #1 easiest place to find a job.

**Nonresident students can apply for Utah residency after 12 months in the state, allowing them to pay resident tuition: www.usu.edu/residency.

Hi-tech facilities: our library was ranked #1 in the nation for “smart classrooms.”

*Tuition and fees based on 13-18 credits using 2011-12 rates. Tuition will increase for 2012-13.

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

$10,562 - $14,742 $21,078 - $25,258

Amazing professors: our professors have claimed Utah’s Carnegie Professor of the Year award 11 out of 16 years.

$5,281 - $7,371 $10,539 - $12,629

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE VALUE

Total*** Resident Nonresident

While the experience is priceless, we recognize the reality of making the payment. Remember that it isn’t one lump sum – there are payment plans for all of it and plenty of free resources to help. Start now. Apply for everything.

Ask questions. Invest in yourself - www.usu.edu/finaid

$1,700 - $4,000 $2,500 - $3,580 $800 - $1,600

LIFE’S INVESTMENT

$850 - $2,000 $1,250 - $1,790 $400 - $800

ADMISSIONS Office of AdmissionsOFFICE Taggart Student Center, Rm. 102 0160 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322-0160

Estimated Expenses Rent Ranges Food Ranges Books and Supplies

YOUR

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

$5,562 $16,078

lies

YEAR

$2,781 $8,039

$free

exe

ure

SEMESTER

Resident Nonresident**

I

e -

TUITION AND FEES*

$300

room

transportation

rcis

The earlier you know your budget, the better you can plan. Two online cost calculators are available to personalize your expenses: www.usu.edu/admissions/tuition-costs.

You don’t need to pay the total all at once.

Review payment plans early so you can break it down to something manageable for you.

Books

DO

supp

CALCULATOR

$50/ used

$320/ month

COLLEGE? Utah State University is the #1 public university in the West and #4 in the nation for lowest tuition (America’s Top Colleges, Forbes 2011).

PAYI N G FOR COLLEG E

IS

POSSIBLE. T H E P I E C E S:

SAVINGS

FAMILY

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

FAFSA is FREE to file and everyone gets an offer of some kind (grants, loans, work-study).

INSTITUTION SCHOLARSHIPS

USU awards academic, need-based, involvement and departmental scholarships. If you don’t receive an offer as a new student, ask your academic advisor about how you can earn one after you start.

IT

STA RT S

W IT H

JOB

Start a part-time job now or find ways to put your talents to use for some income. Apply for on- and off-campus jobs in early August at www.usu.edu/ studemp.

• Loans – Must be repaid with interest.

• Work-study – Money earned while working and attending school; does not need to be repaid.

YOUR TIME $177 MILLION OFFERED

$135 MILLION

$4,200

AVERAGE PELL GRANT

AVERAGE LOAN

• This money comes from the federal government to help students like YOU pay for education expenses.

CAN ANYONE QUALIFY? • YES!

A C C E P T E D / PA I D

$6,200

PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS

FA FSA

• Grants – Do not need to be repaid.

WHY IT’S

Local Food Mart

Search www.utahfutures.org, www.scholarships.com, www.collegescholarships.com; meet with your high school counselor; ask around your neighborhood; visit websites of your favorite products – several companies sponsor scholarships for college. Or ask your current employer for opportunities.

T H E

WHAT IS FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID?

WORTH

Make a list of ways they can help: maybe your parents can pay a portion of your tuition; your It’s never too late to grandparents can send you start! Do it on your own or $100 each month to help with inquire about the Utah rent; your aunt has some Educational Savings Plan at extra dishes you can www.uesp.org. borrow; your younger sibling can research easy recipes.

$ $$

F IND ING FINANC IAL AID

• Awards will be based on your “EFC” (Estimated Family Contribution); the lower your EFC, the more money you are awarded.

• If your “EFC” is on the high-end, you may not be offered grant money but you can still qualify to receive loans.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY? • It’s FREE and applying has no downside!

• You choose what you want to accept and what you don’t. If you only need a portion of the loan you are offered, you can decline the rest.

• You can see what you qualify for and then wait and accept it when you need it during the year.

• Most students will need a little extra money at some point. Loans are offered at a low interest rate and they don’t have to be repaid until you graduate.

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

WHERE AND HOW DO I APPLY?

•Start early! The process takes time and there are benefits to applying earlier.

• www.fafsa.ed.gov – this is FREE! Beware of sites that charge.

•Pay attention to instructions and deadlines.

Keep lists or mark dates on a calendar.

• It is a process…but it is worth every minute! Give yourself an hour.

• If you are a dependent (under 24 and single), plan on completing the application with a parent.

• Apply for a PIN for you and one parent at www.pin.ed.gov (this allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA).

• Gather driver’s license number(s), social security number(s), and 2011 tax information before you begin.

• The USU school code is 003677.

• Check the box for “work-study” on your FAFSA. It could be your ticket to an on-campus job!

WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE? •Contact the USU Financial Aid Office at 435.797.0173.

•You have a financial aid counselor assigned to help you, based on your last name! Find yours at www.usu.edu/finaid/about/.

•Ask questions! People are available and willing to help!

•Specify if you have unusual expenses or circumstances that have changed your family’s financial situation in the past year.

•Expect to pay your share. Financial aid should be seen as a partnership among parents, students, and the institution. Each should contribute a part to help the student cover the total cost of education.

•Remember that tuition is not the only expense; you should also budget for student fees, room, board, and possibly other expenses.

•Don’t pay companies for this service!

FAFSA is a free service provided by the government.

•You cannot be awarded aid until you are admitted.

•Check your email and keep your email address current. You will be notified about changes or updates via email.

•You will need to submit a FAFSA every year.

Some years you may need more money than others, so remember to reapply after January 1 for the next fall/spring/summer semesters.