I'm planning to apply to Florida Atlantic University and I'm worried about the cost. Do they offer good financial aid packages or scholarships? Any advice on how to increase my chances of receiving aid?
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to help student meet their college expenses. This includes institutional scholarships, federal aid, state aid, and work-study opportunities.
1. FAU Scholarships: FAU offers several institutional scholarships that you could qualify for; they provide a list of some of these awards here: https://www.fau.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/scholarships/. Some are merit-based, meaning they are awarded based on academic or athletic performance. Others may be need-based, which are awarded based on the financial need of the student. It is important to check the eligibility criteria for each scholarship.
2. Federal Aid: The Federal Aid program includes the Pell Grant, Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study. You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to become eligible for these forms of aid.
3. State Aid: Florida residents also have access to state-specific grants and scholarships. This includes the Bright Futures Scholarship program and the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG).
4. Work-study opportunities: These positions usually offer flexible scheduling and the chance to gain some work experience while also helping to offset your tuition costs.
To increase your chances of receiving aid, you should ensure your application is complete and you meet all the eligibility criteria. Apply as early as possible as some aid is awarded on a first-come-first-served basis. Submitting the FAFSA early can also increase your chances of receiving aid as some funds are limited. Additionally, pursuing a high GPA and SAT or ACT scores may increase your chances of receiving merit-based scholarships.
Lastly, you can reach out to the FAU's financial aid office for personalized advice and guidance on available resources and how to increase your chances of securing them. They may be able to offer guidance on additional scholarship opportunities, grant programs, or affordable loan options that can help lessen your tuition burden. You can also use FAU's Net Price Calculator to estimate what your cost might be after financial aid is considered: https://tcc.ruffalonl.com/Florida%20Atlantic%20University/Freshman-Students. I hope this helps you with your planning!
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