Academic Scholarships: |
Financial awards given to students for high academic achievement. |
Athletic Scholarships: |
Scholarships awarded to student-athletes by NCAA Division I and II colleges, NAIA Division I colleges, and some two-year colleges. |
Budget Number: |
The estimated total cost of a year of college at a specific institution, as determined by the chief financial aid officer. |
Congressional Methodology: |
The mathematical formula, determined by Congress, which is used to calculate estimated family contribution (EFC). |
Estimated Family Contribution: |
The amount of money a family can be expected to contribute to a student’s educational expenses, as determined by plugging the information given on the FAFSA into a formula. |
FAFSA: |
The free federal financial aid form that students applying for financial aid are required to complete annually. The FAFSA may be completed online or paper copies may be obtained in virtually all high school guidance offices and college financial aid offices. |
Financial Aid Appeal: |
The process by which a college financial aid office may review a student’s eligibility for financial aid, upon request of the student |
Financial Aid Award Letter: |
A letter sent to students by financial aid offices, listing and describing the funds, if any, for which they qualify. |
Financial Need: |
The difference between the budget number (defined above) and the estimated family contribution (also defined above). In other words, the estimated cost minus the funds the family can afford to provide. |
Full Need: |
Colleges and universities which meet full need provide as much financial aid as a student requires, as determined by the FAFSA and the full cost of attendance. |
Gap: |
Refers to the difference between financial need and financial aid offered. |
Gift Aid: |
Money awarded to students that does not require repayment, primarily grants and scholarships. |
Grant: |
A form of gift aid. A term often used as a synonym for scholarship. |
Institutional Financial Aid: |
Financial aid given to a student by the college or university he/she attends, as opposed to money from external sources. |
Merit Scholarships: |
Scholarships awarded for academic or other achievement. |
Need-Based Financial Aid: |
Funds awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. |
Parent Loan: |
An unsubsidized student loan which does not require students to demonstrate financial need. |
Pell Grant: |
A need-based federal award offered to students from low income families |
Renewable Award: |
An award which can be renewed during subsequent academic years if stated criteria are met. |
Scholarship: |
A financial award which need not be repaid. |
Scholarship Search Websites |
Websites at which students may search for scholarships for which they may qualify. A list of such sites may be found at http://www.collegescholarships.com/free_scholarship_searches.htm. |
Self Help Aid: |
Loans and work study funds. |
Stafford Loan: |
Fixed rate, relatively low interest student loans. |
Student Loan: |
Government or private loans given to students to cover their educational and living expenses. |
Subsidized Loans: |
Student loans with low interest rates as a result of a government subsidy. Subsidized loans require a demonstration of need. |
Unmet Need: |
The amount of established need not covered by a student’s financial aid package. |
Unsubsidized Loans: |
Student loans which are not subsidized by the government. |
Work Study: |
A program which allows students to earn money working on campus or in the local community. |
|