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Guide to Financial Planning
liu.edu/brooklyn
Featured Authors
Christina Couch is a freelance writer based
in Richmond, Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois.
She is the author of Virginia Colleges 101:
The Ultimate Guide for Students of All Ages
(Palari Publishing, 2008). Her byline can also be
found on Yahoo!Finance and MSN.com, as well
as in Time Out Chicago and Wired magazines..
Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of
communications for ACT. She is a mom and
has a Master of Education in guidance and
counseling. For more college and careerplanning information, visit www.actstudent.
org.
Brandon Rogers is the author of 10 Things
You Gotta Know about Paying for College and
10 Things You Gotta Know about Choosing
a College, as well as a contributing writer
to six other books about college. His articles
have appeared in The Council for Research
Development Dispatch and Seattle Weekly.
He has more than ten years’ experience as an
admissions counselor, financial aid advisor, and
instructor at both the community college and
university levels.
Table of Contents
Laurie Westrich is a managing editor for an
educational publisher in Monterey, California.
She has worked in publishing for 15 years.
4 Financial Aid Calendar
4 Campus at a Glance
This overview will give you some basic information about the university, including student
demographics, academic resources, and career services.
Use this timeline to coordinate the many steps of the financial aid process.
5 Undergraduate Programs
Explore the majors and special programs offered at LIU’s Brooklyn Campus.
6 Financing Your Education
What does it cost to study at the Brooklyn Campus? Find out about the total costs here—
plus information on scholarship assistance and aid programs for veterans.
7 Filing the FAFSA
The FAFSA is your key to many kinds of financial aid. Learn how the FAFSA works and
what you’ll need to get started.
8 Scholarships and Loans Defined: A Balancing Act
Scholarships and loans are both useful in funding your education. Sure, you’d prefer more
scholarships than loans, but sometimes you have to strike a balance between the two.
Learn about various scholarship and loan options in this article.
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Partner
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from the Parent’s Perspective
11 Five Tips for Paying for College
Here are five ways to “think” in relationship to finding financial aid that can help your
student pay for their education.
12 Cash Flow for the Fall
Taking on a part-time job can help college students get both the things they need (such as
textbooks) and the things they want (such as pizza). Here are some tips for searching out
the right job.
13 “I can’t afford college” and Other Financial Aid Myths
This article debunks five common financial aid myths that parents and students encounter.
The truth is that with a little work and planning in advance, affording college doesn’t have
to be such a daunting prospect.
14 Adviser Profile
Tom Price makes it his mission to help students find scholarships; read some of his tips here.
15 Faculty Profile
Professor Sara Haden shares what she loves best about the Brooklyn Campus and how
she helps her students prepare for college and beyond.
Welcome!
Dear Students,
On behalf of the Office of Integrated Student Financial Services, we are thrilled
that you are interested in Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. We know that
financing your education can often be one of the most challenging aspects of the
college planning process, and our goal is to work with students and their families
to develop a comprehensive financial plan that utilizes multiple resources—from
scholarship awards to financial aid and payment plans.
The original campus of
Long Island University,
the Brooklyn Campus
has been serving college
students since 1926.
Situated on 11 parklike acres in downtown
Brooklyn, the campus is
an educational community
that embraces the
culture, the spirit, and the
diversity of its surrounding
neighborhoods.
A year ago, the Offices of Student Financial Services and the Bursar merged to create
the Office of Integrated Student Financial Services, for the sole purpose of enabling
students to resolve all financial aid needs and inquiries in one central office. ISFS
counselors are knowledgeable of all sources of financial aid from the Federal and
New York State Governments, and from Long Island University. They are able to
assist our students in obtaining maximum eligible financial aid awards, and discuss
payment options that the University provides.
Many of our services are also available online. Through the MyLIU student portal,
we have been able to make many improvements to the student experience, to make
the planning process more convenient. Students may make appointments to see ISFS
counselors, view their financial aid awards, make payments toward their charges,
view their tuition and fees, and accept or decline Federal Loans and College Work
Study. Assistance is available to help navigate these services.
Although the planning process can be daunting, the Office of Integrated Student
Financial Services is committed to helping you plan for your educational investment—
in a way that works for you. And this Guide to Financial Planning is a great place to
start. The articles explain some important facts about financial aid, paying for college,
and how to think ahead for planning next year’s college finances.
Keep in mind some of these helpful hints:
• Create a budget for education costs.
• Don’t forget to apply for financial assistance. Use the Financial Aid calendar on
page 4 for guidance.
• Check out ALL of our student resources, like our payment plans and Scholarship
Assistance Program.
• Visit our Website at liu.edu/brooklyn/finaid for up-to-date information.
We are here to assist you with your educational financial planning throughout your
academic career at Long Island University, and will help you find a way to make
college affordable!
Sincerely,
Patricia Connors, Associate Provost
Integrated Student Financial Services
Long Island University’s
Brooklyn Campus
at a Glance
Institution: Private, liberal arts–based
academic & Student support services:
Student Support Services
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Campus: 11-acre enclosed campus
within an urban setting
Student body:
Writing Center
Math Center
Learning Communities
English Language Institute
5,103 undergraduates
Multimedia Language Lab
3,471 graduates
Academic Reinforcement Center
29% male
Testing Center
71% female
University Health & Medical Services
Faculty: 309 full-time faculty
Psychological Services and Counseling
Personalized Academic Counseling and
Student Development Mentoring
Student–faculty ratio: 14:1
Average class size: 20
technology:
100% Wi-Fi campus
5 on-campus computer labs
iPads given to all qualifying incoming
undergraduate students
Student resources:
Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center
Research labs and facilities
5 on-campus dining locations
Financial Aid calendar
Your academic future is both a personal and a financial
investment. Getting financial aid for college can be a
tedious process, but staying organized is the key. This helpful
timeline will keep you on track.
Media Center
Cyber Café
Career services:
MyCareerKey job bank and
internship database
Career assessment and counseling
Cooperative education
Alumni networking events
Alumni Professional Mentor Program
Career fairs
Interview skills workshop
Mock interviews
4
liu.edu/brooklyn
September–December:
•Read though financial aid and scholarship information, and determine
which ones you’re eligible for. Visit liu.edu/brooklyn/finaid for helpful
financial aid brochures and guides
•Consult online databases (such as www.fastweb.com) or ask around
in your community about other scholarship opportunities.
•Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to learn more about student financial aid.
While you’re there, request a Personal Identification Number (PIN)—
you’ll need it later when you file the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA).
undergraduate programs
Accounting (B.S.)
Art
• Studio Art (B.F.A.)
• Visual Arts (B.A.)
Biochemistry (B.S.)
Biology (B.S.)
• Biology (B.S.)
• Biology (B.S.)/Molecular Biology
• Cytotechnology (B.S.)
• Medical Technology (B.S.)
• Nuclear Medical Technology (B.S.)
Business Administration (A.A.S.)
• Teacher of Visual Arts in Urban Schools
(Pre-K–Grade 12) (B.F.A.)
• Music Education in Urban Schools (Pre-K–Grade 12) (B.S.)
• Teacher of Physical Education in Urban Schools (Pre-K–Grade 12) (B.S.)
English (B.A.), with
concentrations in:
• Literature
• Creative Writing
• Writing and Rhetoric
Health Science (B.S.)
History (B.A.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Film, T.V. and Digital Video Production
Film, T.V. and Media Studies
Media Management
On-Camera Performance
Photography, Digital Photography
Screenwriting
Modern Languages (B.A.)
• French
• Spanish
Music
• Applied Music (B.A.)
• Jazz Studies (B.F.A.)
• Music Education in Urban Schools (B.S.)
Nursing (B.S.)
Business Finance (B.S.)
Humanities (A.A., B.A.)
Business Management (B.S.)
Communication Sciences
and Disorders (B.S.)
Journalism (B.A.), with
concentrations in:
• Broadcast and On-Line Journalism
• Print and Magazine Journalism
• Sports Reporting
• Public Relations
Computer Science (B.S.)
Marketing (B.S.)
Respiratory Care (B.S.)
Dance (B.S., B.F.A.)
Mathematics (B.S.)
Social Science (B.S.)
Economics (B.A.)
Media Arts (B.F.A.)/
Computer Art
Social Work (B.A.)
Chemistry (B.S.)
Education
• Childhood Urban Education (Grades 1–6)
(B.S.)
• Adolescence/Middle Childhood Urban
Education (Grades 5–12) (B.A., B.S.)
• Adolescence Urban Education (Grades 7–12) (B.A., B.S.)
Media Arts (B.A.) with
concentrations in:
• Computer Graphics
• Digital Design/Interactive Media
• Animation
• Digital Audio/Sound Design
Sports Science (B.S.)
Undecided
Pre-Professional Programs
Tracks (Year 1-2 programs)
• Pre-Professional Phase Nursing
• Pre -Professional Phase Pharmacy
• Pre-Respiratory Care
• Pre-Athletic Training/Sports Sciences
• Pre-Occupational Therapy
Accelerated Degree Programs
• Nursing (R.N.)
Professional Programs
(Year 3 Programs)
• Nursing (B.S.)
• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Nursing RN (B.S.)
Philosophy (B.A.)
Political Science (B.A.)
Psychology (B.A.)
Sociology-Anthropology (B.A.)
Speech (B.A.), with
concentrations in:
• Communication Studies
• Theatre
Sports Science (B.S.)/
Sports Management
Dual Degree Programs
• Accounting (B.S./M.S.)
• Nursing/Adult Nurse Practitioner
(B.S./M.S.)
• Athletic Training (B.S./M.S.)
• Communication Sciences and Disorders/
Speech-Language Pathology (B.S./M.S.)
• 3+3 Health Science (B.S.) and Physical
Therapy (D.P.T.)
• Nurse Executive (B.S./M.S.)
• Occupational Therapy (B.S./M.S.)
• Public Health (B.S./M.P.H.)
January–February:
March–April:
May–June:
•Return to www.fafsa.ed.gov as
early as January 1 to file the
FAFSA. You will receive a Student
Aid Report (SAR) shortly thereafter
which you must review and correct
if necessary.
•Double check that all necessary admissions and financial aid paperwork has been received.
•Accept and return your financial
aid offer.
•Long Island University’s FAFSA
school code is 002751.
•Complete any remaining applications for financial aid through the
Office of Integrated Student Financial Services.
•Review your financial aid package.
Consult a Student Financial Services
representative about any confusing
information.
•If taking out federal Stafford Loans,
be sure to submit the Master Promissory Note.
•Finalize and confirm the details of
your financial aid package with the
Office of Integrated Student Financial Services.
liu.edu/brooklyn
5
Financing Your Education
Below are just a couple of the programs and resources available at the Brooklyn Campus to help our
students make their education affordable. Be sure to review the charts of Scholarship Awards listed on the
back page of this brochure as well.
Scholarship Assistance
The Scholarship Assistance Program at Long Island University’s
Brooklyn Campus, a division of the Office of Student Development
and Retention, provides information, support, and guidance through
the scholarship search and application process. Working with the
Scholarship Assistance Program adviser, students discover additional
opportunities to finance their education. The adviser will develop an
individualized plan of action for each student, while encouraging
students to become engaged in their studies, with their professors, and
within their campus community. The Scholarship Assistance Program
is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of field of study,
academic success, financial need, or campus involvement.
Visit liu.edu/brooklyn/osdr for more information about the
Scholarship Assistance Program.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays veterans up to the highest
public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. Those
attending a private institution or graduate school and
those who have out-of-state status may have tuition and
fees that exceed the amount provided under the Bill.
6
Cost of Attendance*
2011–2012
Non-Pharmacy
Tuition (per credit)
A proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Campus
offers partial scholarships to military students and veterans that,
when combined with the benefits received through the Post-9/11
GI Bill, can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees.
Tuition (26 credits/year)*:
Visit liu.edu/brooklyn/studentlife/veterans for more
information about Veterans Services.
Total:
liu.edu/brooklyn
Books and Supplies:
Room/Board:
*Tuition and fees subject to change
Pharmacy
$938
$1,104
$24,388
$28,704
2,000
2,000
13,000
13,000
$39,388
$43,704
Filing the
FAFSA
Wouldn’t it be great to pay your way through college with scholarships and
graduate debt-free? Sure it would. But, this scenario is more fantasy
than reality for most students. To cope with the reality that your future
college bills will likely outweigh your income and assets, you’ll need a
solid financial plan, and that plan starts with filing the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Meet the FAFSA
Every college-bound student should complete
the FAFSA. Your answers to questions about
your income and assets (and your parents’
income and assets) will determine your
Expected Family Contribution—the annual
amount that the government expects you
and your parent(s) to be able to pay toward
your college education. If your costs (Cost of
Attendance, or COA) exceed your calculated
EFC, you’ll be eligible for need-based loans
and/or grants.
You can file your FAFSA as early as January
1 of the year you intend to enter school, and
you’ll have to repeat the process each year as
you pursue your education. You should file the
FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify
for need-based aid. If you want to take out
a federal loan of any type—including the
unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which isn’t
based on financial need—then you’ll need
to file the FAFSA.
What You’ll Need
•Social Security number
•Driver’s license (if available)
•Your tax forms (don’t worry if they aren’t
complete yet—you can use estimated numbers now and adjust them later if needed)
•Your parents’ tax forms (again, using estimated figures is OK for now)
•Records of untaxed income, such as payments to tax-deferred savings plans, child
support, veterans’ benefits, or workers’
compensation
•Current bank statements
•Information about any businesses you or
your family own, investment mortgage
information, business and farm records,
and other investment records
Three Steps for Faster Response
1
2
The fastest way to file the FAFSA is
online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
You can speed the processing of your
FAFSA by signing it electronically with a
Personal Identification Number (PIN). You
don’t have to wait until January 1 to request
a PIN, so get this step out of the way early!
If you’re a dependent student, one parent
must also register for a PIN. Learn more at
www.pin.ed.gov.
3
Get organized with the FAFSA
on the Web worksheet, available at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What Next?
After you file your FAFSA, you’ll receive a
Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains your
EFC. If you provided an e-mail address as
part of your FAFSA information, you will
receive an e-mail link to your SAR, which you
can view online and which will inform you of
any additional steps that may be required.
You can also elect to receive a copy of your
SAR by mail. Your SAR and EFC will be sent
to the schools you indicated on your FAFSA,
and these schools will offer you financial aid
packages based on this data.
Long Island University’s
FAFSA school code is 002751.
liu.edu/brooklyn
7
Scholarships and Loans Defined:
B y B ran d on R o g ers
For most students, college success comes down to balance. Extracurricular activities must be balanced
by academics, school must be balanced by work, and, unfortunately, scholarships must often be balanced
by loans. With college costs now exceeding $30,000 per year in many cases, a full scholarship is much
more myth than reality. According to the Project on Student Debt, data collected from colleges shows that
2009 graduates accumulated an average loan debt of $24,000. In other words, when it comes to this
difficult scholarship/loan balance, most students are in the same boat. But there are a few pieces of advice
that could at least help you get a better seat.
Getting a Leg Up on Scholarships
As soon as most students realize how much college costs, they
undoubtedly start dreaming of the fabled free-ride. Scholarships have
long held the college-going public’s fascination, and unscrupulous
companies often take advantage of desperate families through
scholarship scams: promises of free-money that never materialize. But
with free scholarship databases readily available online, such as at
www.fastweb.com, all you really need to stake your claim is a little
financial aid know-how.
The first thing you should understand is that he who acts fast, acts best.
Scholarships are as much about legwork as good grades and impeccable grammar. To increase your odds of success, you need to know
what you’re up against. If you are applying for a local scholarship,
don’t be afraid to ask to see the scholarship rating sheet or samples of
past, successful essays.
8
liu.edu/brooklyn
You might also want to contact past winners of the scholarships for
which you are applying and ask them for inside advice. And most
importantly, ask as many questions, in person if at all possible, while
projecting a friendly demeanor. With any luck, you’ll wind up speaking with one of the scholarship readers (colleges often recruit from
their own staff to rate applications) and leave a positive impression
on someone who may eventually help decide your financial aid fate.
It’s harder to say no to a friendly, familiar face. When it comes to
your essay, use a bit of Zen-genuity, and be the reader. Scholarship
reviewers often have to read a dozen or more applications. In order to
stand out, don’t merely rattle off a list of your attributes. Highlight your
strengths through storytelling, taking advantage of an active, engaging, and creative voice. If you have a funny side, don’t be afraid to
take a chance with a little humor, but take great care to avoid clichés,
melodrama, and obnoxious fonts since these only serve to detract from
your message.
A Balancing Act
You might think it wise to put all your efforts into searching for scholarships,
but the truth is that when it comes to borrowing, not all loans are created equal.
Let the Borrower Beware
You might think it wise to put all of your efforts into searching for
scholarships, but the truth is that when it comes to borrowing, not all
loans are created equal. Many students, in fact, have come to discover
that when paying for college, some loans are just as good as scholarships and grants. In a few cases, believe it or not, they are actually
even better.
In order to determine the best loan program, however, you need to be
familiar with some basic terminology since loans come in many different shapes and sizes. Subsidized loans refer to loans where the
government pays the interest accrued while you are enrolled as a student. Obviously, these loans are better deals than unsubsidized student
loans, for which you are required to pay the interest.
Need-based loans, such as the Perkins Loan, require that you demonstrate financial need, usually measured by the expected family
contribution (EFC) calculated when you complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These loans are typically subsidized
and can offer lower interest rates than non-need-based loans.
A Rose by Many Other Names
Also remember that not all sources of free financial aid are called
scholarships, which means you can add to your potential pot of
funds by merely expanding your vocabulary. When speaking with an
admissions or financial aid counselor, ask about tuition, housing, or
fee waivers, which can only be applied toward those costs. In addition, thousands of students earn education awards of nearly $5,000
each year by participating in AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov).
AmeriCorps experience can also often be converted into college credit
at schools that recognize prior experience as relevant to your degree
program. Other ways to receive free credits include passing certain
tests, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement
(AP), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). A key advantage
to these sources of financial assistance is that they do not reduce your
other financial aid, which cannot be said of scholarships.
Outside of forgivable or no-interest loans, the federal Perkins program
really is the best deal. It is a need-based, subsidized loan with an
interest rate of only five percent. The Perkins Loan also has several
forgiveness options, and loan repayment does not begin until nine
months after you graduate or drop below half-time status. Be aware,
however, that even though it is a federal program, it is hard to get
financial aid since it is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. In
fact, if you don’t complete all of your financial aid paperwork, starting
with the FAFSA, by February or March, you likely will have missed
your chance.
If you request a student loan, the financial aid office will offer you the
appropriate kind and level, starting with any subsidized amount for
which you are eligible. Dependent freshmen are eligible to borrow
up to $5,500 per year (up to $3,500 of which can be a subsidized
loan), sophomores can borrow $6,500 (up to $4,500 subsidized),
and juniors and seniors can borrow up to $7,500 (up to $5,500
subsidized). Independent students, or students whose parents are
denied their application for the Parent Loan for Undergraduate
Students (PLUS), can also apply for an additional amount of
unsubsidized loan, up to $4,000 for freshmen and sophomores
and up to $5,000 for juniors and seniors.
Continued on the next page
liu.edu/brooklyn
9
Scholarships and Loans Defined: A Balancing Act
(continued)
The other federal loan program with which you should be familiar is
the PLUS loan for parents, which can help “fill the gap” between other
aid awards and the total cost of attendance. Be aware that parents are
sometimes denied a PLUS loan based upon their credit scores, so it’s by
no means a guaranteed option. Interest rates are fixed at 7.9 percent.
Your Loan Worst Enemy
Some students decide that rather than apply for a Perkins, Direct, or
PLUS loan, they would prefer to borrow through a private or alternative loan, often convinced by flashy brochures or advertisements. While
some private loans can offer low interest rates, borrowing outside
of the federal programs negates many repayment advantages. For
example, students can consolidate the Perkins, Direct, or PLUS loans
into a program known as the Federal Consolidation Loan, which can
lock in low interest rates. And, of course, students who are recipients of
subsidized loans do not have to pay interest while they are in school,
and this applies even to students who return to college to pursue a
graduate degree.
Additionally, the federal loan programs offer deferment or forbearance
in certain circumstances. For example, if you return to college, you can
receive a loan deferment for your Direct or Perkins loans, which means
you won’t have to make payments while you’re enrolled. And if you
join AmeriCorps after graduation, or fall into economic hardship, you
can apply for forbearance, which will postpone your loan payments
without penalty. Private loans do not come with these options.
Time to Check Your Balance
Only after you’ve explored both your loan and scholarship options
will you be in the best position to decide if the award letter you receive
from the college financial aid office is right for you. The best awards
will leave you with as little debt as possible, so don’t be blinded by
large scholarship offers that come with even larger loan balances.
And, of course, the best loan options are those that have low interest
rates, favorable repayment policies, and the potential for full or partial
forgiveness. Finally, don’t forget all the necessary paperwork. The final
months before college demand multitasking, so in addition to writing
the next great American scholarship essay, take time to complete the
FAFSA and other financial aid applications.
10
liu.edu/brooklyn
Five Tips for
B y C hristina C ouch
Paying for College
The only thing harder than getting into college is paying for it. Here are five tips on earning a degree for less.
Think Ahead
The earlier the research process begins, the bigger the payoff. As
early as sophomore year, your student should begin collecting and
organizing applications, recommendations, test scores, essays,
and transcripts. Students should begin applying by junior year
in order to take advantage of the countless scholarships geared
toward younger students. Creating a family calendar of application
deadlines will help you both set realistic goals and stay on top of the
mountain of paperwork. Official high school or college transcripts
are required when merit-based aid is awarded. Turn them in early to
make sure you receive the maximum award amount possible.
Think Federally
Think Locally
College tuition could be no farther than your own community.
Organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Jaycees, the American
Legion, and Boosters chapters have scholarship funds set aside
specifically for area high school seniors. Memorial scholarships
honoring local residents are also a lucrative, but typically overlooked,
resource. Since competition for local funds is significantly less than
that for national awards, researching what’s offered just around
the corner could pay off in a big way. File for state aid, such as
TAP in New York. Start by visiting your student’s guidance office or
transfer advising office to see what’s available, and then follow up by
asking prospective colleges about their scholarship and financial aid
packages.
Your student may be eligible for certain scholarships by virtue of
ethnic, religious, and professional affiliations. Books such as The
Scholarship Handbook and Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes can
help your student find scholarships from around the world that
meet your financial requirements. To find out what kinds of funds
your student is qualified for without leaving your home, create a
profile through an online scholarship search engine and let the
opportunities find you. Sites such as www.CollegeView.com,
www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org, and www.scholarships.
com allow you to sift through thousands of career, college, and
heritage-based scholarships to find what matches your interests,
activities, and needs.
Think Corporately
For Chris Barrett and Luke McCabe, “think corporately” meant
draping their dorms, cars, and bodies with the logo of First USA
Financial. As the first corporately sponsored college students, Chris
and Luke earned their tuition by acting as spokespeople/walking
billboards. The good news is you don’t have to wear a company
logo to take advantage of corporate scholarships. Businesses
ranging from Coca-Cola to Target offer financial aid to thousands
of students each year. Start by asking whether or not your or your
spouse’s company offers scholarships or other tuition assistance
programs to children of employees. If you are the college-bound
student, check with your human resource department for tuition
reimbursement options or other funding resources to help you
complete your degree.
The earlier the research process
begins, the bigger the payoff.
From the Parent’s perspective
The most crucial step in the scholarship process is filling out the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Available online
at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by calling (800) 4-FED-AID, the FAFSA is
the only way to apply for grants, scholarships, and/or loans issued
through the U.S. government. Get your forms in order now and
mark it on the calendar to get your hands on the nation’s biggest
financial aid resource.
Think Categorically
Cash Flow
for the Fall
from the parent’s perspective
B y L aurie W estrich
If your student is entering college in the fall,
chances are there will be many changes in their
lifestyle. One of these changes does not
have to be their access to spending money, however. If they like the freedom and cash that come with
working while in school, they’re in luck. Opportunities abound for students to earn money while
getting an education.
Work-Study Program
If your student has applied for financial aid, their package may include a work-study job. The Federal Work-Study Program provides
jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need
and allows them to earn money to help pay educational expenses.
Their total federal work-study award depends on when they apply,
level of need, and the funding level of their school.
Some schools have agreements with private for-profit employers for
federal work-study jobs, which must be relevant to your student’s
course of study. The number of hours they can work is limited, and
the amount they earn cannot exceed their total work-study award.
Other Employment Options
Your student could independently look for a job on or off campus.
The advantages here are that they can earn more than minimum
wage and they may have more employment options to choose
from. The downside to working off campus is that some positions
may require your student to work full time. Your student should plan
now for a non-work-study job in the fall. If they know where they’re
headed for school, they can ensure their future cash flow by doing
the following:
1.Read the newspaper. Many area businesses will run job openings in the classified section.
2.Watch for help wanted signs posted in shop windows and on
campus bulletin boards. If they’ve found something in the campus paper prior to a campus visit, they should set up appointments to speak with employers while they’re visiting.
3.Inquire about campus jobs. The campus dining halls and library
12
are good places to start. Your student can find out which campus facilities are hiring by calling them or inquiring with offices
around campus.
Internship and Career Assistance
4.Keep your current job. If you already have a job you may con-
The Office of Career Services provides students with the
resources to explore job opportunities and internships while
in college—and even after graduation. MyCareerKey, the
University’s Career Management/Job Bank system, features
an array of career resources, and student development
counselors are available to help guide you through the process,
to ensure you find the opportunities that best suit your needs.
Visit www.liu.edu/careerservices for more information.
5.Work for a professor or faculty member. They can build up their
liu.edu/brooklyn
sider keeping it and adjusting your hours so that you can attend
classes. Keep in mind, many Long Island University students will
take advantage of our flexible course offerings and class scheduling to balance work and school.
résumé and their wallet by assisting a professor in their field
of study. While some may not offer monetary compensation, it
doesn’t hurt to ask.
**Remember: most students do seek employment while in school. Your student can get a head start on their search now. By following these tips,
your student will be able to earn some spending money of their own,
and maybe—just maybe—they will call home for reasons other than to
ask for money.
“I can’t afford college”
and Other Financial Aid Myths
B y R ose R ennekamp
College application season is in full swing. Parents and students are filling out forms, editing
essays, and checking their bank accounts. Students worry about getting rejection letters, but some
parents may worry more about what they will do once their son or daughter is actually accepted. There’s
a lot of information out there—both good and bad—about paying for college. I want to clarify a few of
the less-than-true statements you may have heard.
Myth #3:
You can get more scholarships by
paying someone to search for you.
Scholarship scams are everywhere. Beware
of any group or individual that guarantees a scholarship if you pay a fee. There
are many very good, FREE scholarship
sources—check out www.fastweb.com or
www.finaid.org.
My child will pay for college herself,
so it doesn’t matter how much
money I make.
Myth #1:
Myth #2:
Many students and parents see the tuition
price, the cost of living in the dorms, and
the price of textbooks and say there is just
no way they could ever afford it. Let’s face
it, college is expensive! It’s the largest single
investment many families ever make. However, two out of three students get at least
some financial aid to help make college
more affordable, according to Sallie Mae,
the largest education lender.
Financial aid comes in many forms—grants
and scholarships, which you don’t have to
repay, and loans, which you do have to
repay. There is need-based aid for students
who come from lower income families and
merit-based aid for students who excel
in athletics, drama, debate, instrumental
music, community service, and many other
areas.
You can’t afford college, or you can’t
afford the college of your dreams.
Students can receive a combination of
grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study
jobs to help reduce the cost of college.
So, don’t ignore a college just because of
its “sticker price.” If a college has higher
tuition, students often can get more financial
aid to help cover the extra cost. For example, parents with incomes below $60,000
aren’t expected to contribute to the cost of
their child’s education at Harvard.
You have to be very poor, very smart,
or uncommonly talented to qualify for
financial aid.
You will find financial aid from a number
of sources: the federal government, state
government, the college or university itself,
a parent’s employer, and many other
organizations. When students take the time
to discover all of the possibilities, they can
be surprised at what offers for aid they may
receive.
One good source for information is
http://studentaid.ed.gov, where you can
get Funding Education Beyond High
School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid.
The guide is also available in print at many
public libraries and schools or by calling
(800) 433-3243.
Most need-based financial aid is based on
parents’ income and assets. Most schools
require students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in
order to qualify for need-based aid. That
form asks for income information similar to
what you need for your income taxes. You
can find it by logging on to www.fafsa.
ed.gov. After submitting the FAFSA, students receive a report that shows how much
the government expects you to pay toward
your child’s education. If you’re not ready to
actually file yet, you can get an estimate of
your expected family contribution by going
to www.act.org/fane.
from the parent’s perspective
Myth #4:
Myth #5:
You can wait until you get accepted
to a college before worrying about
financial aid.
Most financial aid is doled out on a firstcome, first-served basis. Since most students
will search for some type of financial aid,
you shouldn’t wait too long to get started.
Looking for financial aid is probably not
the way that most teenagers want to spend
their free time. But a little work now can
go a long way in paying for an education
tomorrow.
liu.edu/brooklyn
13
Adviser
Profile
Q. How can parents get
involved in the scholarship
search process?
A.
Encourage your student to apply for
scholarships early!
Q. What can students do to
help prepare them to receive
scholarships?
A.
1. Visit the Scholarship
Assistance Program staff.
We’re located in Sophomore Year
Programs within the Office of Student
Development and Retention in Pratt 510.
2. Begin working on a
Personal Statement.
Director of Sophomore Year
Programs and the Scholarship
Assistance Program
This should cover why a student is going
to college, why has the student chosen a
specific major, and what the student hopes
to do after graduation (their career goals).
Tom Price
Q. How do you help students
find the right scholarships?
A.
Students who utilize the Scholarship
Assistance Program complete an Intake Form,
which will ask for information such as Major,
Academic Year, GPA, Religious Affiliation,
LIU Activities, and Family Income (all
confidential). We then use this information to
find those scholarships a student will have the
best odds of receiving. We have experience
with these scholarships, so we know how to
match students to “good odds” scholarships.
Scholarships can be based on anything,
so the more information a student gives us,
the more scholarship matches we can find.
We recommend those scholarships that
award more than 3 scholarships nationwide.
Obviously the more scholarships awarded,
the better a student’s odds. Some give out 5,
10, 200, even up to 6,000 scholarships. We
have a database of over 750 scholarships for
which at least one LIU Brooklyn student was
eligible!
14
liu.edu/brooklyn
Q. What piece of advice
would you give to an incoming
student looking to help fund
their education?
A.
Apply for every scholarship a
Scholarship Assistance Program staff member
gives to you. No one told me when I was
a college student, “Tom, apply to every
scholarship for which you are eligible.” As
a result, I took out the maximum amount
of student loans, and then was hit with the
shocking reality of paying them off 6 months
after I graduated. A $1,000 scholarship
is actually worth more to a needy student,
because that is $1,000 which does not have
to be taken out in a student loan and paid
back with interest, which over the course of
the loan repayment could nearly double.
3. Get involved!
In campus activities, clubs, organizations, and community service events.
Scholarships often look at what a student
does outside the classroom in addition to
academic success. Leadership experience
is a plus.
4. Get to know professors.
I always recommend that students get to
know at least one professor per semester.
Go to see them during office hours, talk to
them after class, participate in class, and
show an interest in the subject.
5. Take classes seriously.
When it comes to scholarships, grades
matter! Many scholarships require a 3.0
GPA to apply.
Sarah Haden
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Q. What can incoming students do to prepare
for college?
A.
First, understand that college is NOT high school. You need
to be responsible for yourself and completing your work on time at
all times. Second, read books. Third, write as much as you can...
texting does not count!
Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A. When a student tells me that they switched their major to psychol-
ogy because they loved my class. It can’t get any better than that!
Q. How do you encourage students to get
involved on campus?
Faculty Profile
A.
I read course-relevant campus announcements to my classes. I
tell them about the clubs and organizations that are on this campus
and relevant to our class. I invite speakers from campus programs to
talk to my students. I encourage them to use many of the services on
campus—the Writing Center, Psychological Services Center, Career
Services, etc.—most of them are free!
Q. Do you participate in any activities or
Q. What had the biggest impact on your
decision to join LIU?
A.
I am from Virginia and when I moved to New York City to
complete my postdoctoral position at Bellevue Hospital, I knew that I
had to stay in Brooklyn. Brooklyn felt like the center of everything at
the time. Now, LIU has become my home and to me it is the center of
Brooklyn.
I feel lucky every day to come into contact with people from all
different parts of the globe. I am convinced that we have the most
diverse student body. Every day I learn something new from my
students and they inspire me to teach.
Q. What makes the Brooklyn Campus unique?
A. Our campus gets the best of all worlds. You are in the city but
you are also on a real college campus. I love seeing the flowers
change colors. I also love that I can see the Manhattan Bridge when
I step outside the gates. Even though we are above one of the largest
transportation hubs in Brooklyn, you can always find a quiet spot on
campus and feel like you are away from it all!
organizations on or off campus?
A.
Definitely! On campus, I am a founding member of the LIU
Brooklyn SafeZone program. The mission of this program is to 1)
reduce homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism on the LIU
Brooklyn campus, 2) make LIU Brooklyn a safer campus for all
members, and 3) increase awareness of LGBTQ-related issues and
events on campus. This program is very important to me. Off campus,
I am a member of various psychological associations as well as the
Human Rights Campaign and World Society for the Protection of
Animals.
Q. Do your students also have jobs to help
pay for college? What advice would you give
to help balance school work and their job?
A.
I find that many of our students work while they are in
school. These students have to work harder to balance all of their
responsibilities. They do best if they organize their assignments at the
beginning of the semester and always know what is coming and how
to best prepare their schedules. Several students who also work have
met with me at the beginning of the semester to help them plan ahead
for deadlines. These students should always communicate with their
course instructors.
liu.edu/brooklyn
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Sc dergrad Students
For Un
Scholarships can help put a college education within your reach. Here is a sampling of the scholarships that
Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus offers. To learn more about scholarships and other financial aid
programs, go to liu.edu/brooklyn/finaid or call us at (718) 488-1037.
Freshman and Transfer students (with 24 or fewer Transferable Credits*)
Award
Eligibility Requirements
Max. Yearly Award
University Scholars Award
92 High School Average and 1300 on the SAT (CR/MT combined)
$10,000 plus up to $3,000 more**
Presidential Scholarship
88 High School Average and 1200 on the SAT (CR/MT combined)
$7,500 plus up to $3,000 more**
Provost’s Excellence Award
88 High School Average
$5,000
Academic Incentive Award
Students not receiving another scholarship award
$3,000
International Student Grant †
Selected by committee based on academic and other achievements
$2,000
Award
Eligibility Requirements
Max. Yearly Award
University Scholars Award
3.75 GPA
$10,000 plus up to $3,000 more**
Transfer Students (with 25 or more Transferable Credits)
Presidential Scholarship
3.50 GPA
$7,500 plus up to $3,000 more**
Provost’s Excellence Award
3.30 GPA
$5,000
Academic Incentive Award
Students not receiving another scholarship award
$3,000
International Student Grant †
Selected by committee based on academic and other achievements
$2,000
AWARDS FOR CONTINUING LIU STUDENTS
To show our commitment to students throughout their career at the Brooklyn Campus,
below is just a small sampling of other scholarship awards available to our continuing students.
Award
Eligibility Requirements
Max. Yearly Award
Scholars Award
At least 30 LIU credits and min. 3.0 cumulative GPA
$2,000 ††
Continuing Scholars Award
At least 30 LIU credits and min. 3.6 cumulative GPA
$4,000
Dean’s Award
At least 16 LIU credits and min. 3.7 GPA
$1,200†††
Dean’s Scholarships
Four consecutive Dean’s monetary awards, with recommendation from Dean
$10,000
LIU Alumni Incentive Program
Recent LIU Brooklyn graduates with min. 3.0 GPA enrolling in an LIU
graduate program
$6,000 †††
Adult Completion Award
First-time entering and re-entering students registered for at least
12 credits in the Adult Completion Program
$1,500
* Transfer students with 24 or fewer transferable college credits must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 from all colleges attended.
** An additional Distinguished Scholars Award of $3,000 is available to selected award recipients who are registered for at least 16 credits each semester, of which 12 credits are in core
curriculum courses, if applicable.
There are a limited number of scholarships available. Student may qualify for additional funding as an Upperclass student. Students already receiving 100% GIA award do not qualify.
†
Available only to students who received the Academic Incentive Award.
††
†††
Award will vary depending on the number of credits registered for.
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