Paying for College 101
Four Ways to Pay for College!
1. Scholarships
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Money given for education, no need for repayment
2. Grants
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Federal/state money given to those who qualify based upon financial need.
3. Loans
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Money loaned at a favorable rate but must be repaid
4. Work Study
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Money given to a qualified individual in exchange for work
❶First Step for Everyone
Finding financial aid is a process that starts with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and ends
at the college you attend. The FAFSA is a federal form that every college-bound student should fill out.
Based on the information you enter into the FAFSA, you can qualify for different types of financial aid,
including grants, student loans, and work-study.
Tax information for both the student and parent(s) will be needed to complete and file the FAFSA, so the best
time to do this is between January and April. The earlier, the better! Much of the best financial aid that
institutions have to award goes to the students who file the FAFSA by the school’s priority filing deadline.
Steps for Applying for Federal Student Aid:
1. Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov.
2. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. You
will need the following:
a. Every university/college has a six digit federal school code
b. Have the following documents available, if applicable:
i. If you are dependent: A signed copy of your parent(s)’ 2013 federal tax return (if they
are required to file) including all W-2 forms and schedules, statements of untaxed
income received and current bank statements.
ii. If you are independent: You and your spouse’s 2012 federal tax return (if you are
required to file) including all W-2 forms and schedules, statements of untaxed income
received, and current bank statements.
c. If your processed FAFSA is selected for verification, the Office of Financial Assistance from the
university/college will request copies of these documents.
The student Guide, which gives additional eligibility information, can be found online at
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awards typically based on unique criteria such as talent, achievement, financial need, etc.
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The best place to begin your search for scholarships is with the college(s) you plan to attend.
Largest scholarships come from the colleges themselves. Most colleges have scholarship
applications on their websites.
At Tuacahn High School the following resources are available:
 Scholarship Board- Updated bi-weekly
 www.Tuacahnhs.org. Click “Students” tab and click on “Titan Guidance”- Updated biweekly
 Hand-outs from the Senior Success class
Websites to search for scholarships
 www.fastweb.com
 www.scholarships.com
 www.supercollege.com
 www.utahfutures.org
Beware of scams! All college scholarship searches should be free to use and most schools have
their applications available online.
Scholarship applications usually ask for information regarding your academic performance,
extra-curricular activities, financial need, community involvement, and may ask for letters of
recommendation.
Once you have found suitable scholarships, apply for them as soon as possible.
Some scholarships may require you to audition, be interviewed, or complete a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (or “FAFSA”).
Grants
Grants are awarded to students based on financial need. Like scholarships, grants don’t have to be paid back.
The U.S. Department of Education uses the information reported in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid) to determine your eligibility. Here are some examples of available grants:
The federal Pell Grant provides a foundation of financial assistance to which other kinds of aid can be added.
This award is only available to undergraduate students.
There are also several state grant programs that may be available to Utah residents who qualify. Contact your
college’s financial aid office for more information on these state grant programs.
Loans
Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid. The interest rates on federal student loans are generally
low. When considering a loan, you need to read the terms of the agreement carefully. Be wise about the
amount of money you borrow. Higher education is one of the best investments you can make throughout
your lifetime, but be realistic about the amount of money you will need for school. Types of loans include:
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Stafford Loans are variable and fixed interest loans. In some cases, the interest is not applied until six
months after you leave school. This type of loan is called a Subsidized Stafford Loan. In other cases,
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the interest begins to accrue immediately. This type of loan is referred to as an Unsubsidized Stafford
Loan.
Perkins Loan is a low-interest, subsidized loan available to students with exceptional financial need.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans are available to parents with good credit
histories. These loans are for education expenses for dependent children enrolled at least half time in
an eligible program at an eligible school.
For more information about student loans and other money for college visit www.uheaa.org. UHEAA has been
helping Utah’s students and families plan, prepare, and pay for college for more than 30 years.
Work Study
Work study allows eligible students to earn money through a part-time job. The financial aid or student
employment office at your college can help you find a work study job.
Additional Financial Aid Resources for Students Interested in Attending College Outside of Utah
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), is a program in which students may enroll in designated twoyear and four-year institutions and programs in other participating western states. It allows qualified students
to attend at a reduced tuition rate. A list of the participating institutions and programs can be found at
www.wiche.edu.
Facts-at-a-Glance 2013-2014
Institution
Brigham Young University
www.byu.edu
Dixie State University
www.dixie.edu
LDS Business College
www.ldsbc.edu
Salt Lake Community College
www.slcc.edu
Snow College
www.snow.edu
Southern Utah University
www.suu.edu
University of Utah
www.utah.edu
Utah College of Applied Tech.
www.ucat.edu
Fall Admission
Deadline/App Fee
Priority December 1
Final February 1
$35
Open
$35
10 days prior to semester
$35
Open
$40
Open
$30
May 1
$50
Priority December 1
Regular April 1
$45
Year-Round
Scholarship Application
Deadline
Financial Aid Priority
Deadline
February 1
May 1
March 1
March 1
March 1
July 1
March 1
April 15
March 1
June 1
Priority December 1
July 1
Varies
April 1
Year-Round
Year-Round
Utah State University
www.usu.edu
Utah State University Eastern
www.eastern.usu.edu
Utah Valley University
www.uvu.edu
Weber State University
www.weber.edu
Westminster College
www.westminstercollege.edu
April 1
$40
Open
$40
August 1
$35
Open
$30
Rolling
$50
Priority December 1
March 15
March 1
March 1
First Priority February 1
Varies
Priority January 13
Priority March 1
Exemplary Award February 15
March 1
Rolling