CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE!
CAPFAA (CT Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators) has created a centralized website that provides information about the various event dates & locations, and student and volunteer registration.
How to Read your Financial Aid Award Letter
Figure out your real cost. Every school has a list price, but what it will actually cost you depends on your financial aid package. To figure out that number, look at the cost of attendance that the school lists. Then subtract grants and scholarships (that’s the free aid that you don’t have to pay back) to get the net cost.
Be smart about borrowing. You’ll also see what type of federal student loans you are eligible for listed on the offer letter. Federal loans usually have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.
Look into work-study programs. Work-study is a federal program that schools administer to provide students part-time jobs. Jobs are typically on-campus but can be off-campus, too. You have to find an eligible job and work the allotted hours to get that money.
Think long-term about aid. The financial aid information you get is for one academic year, but you should think about how much aid you’ll get over the four years you’ll be in school, or however long your academic program is.
Appeal your financial aid award. If you don’t believe the financial aid package meets your needs, you may consider appealing to the school’s financial aid office. If you received another offer from a comparable school or if you had a change in circumstances since you applied, contact the school to ask that they review your finances.
https://www.consumerreports.org/paying-for-college/how-to-decode-your-college-financial-aid-offer/