Have you decided to take the next step and attend college? Affordability may be one of your biggest concerns. You may feel higher education is out of your reach because of financial obstacles. However, creative strategies such as financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits can help you pay for college.
Financial Aid
When you need to pay for college and are trying to finance your degree, you should first gather your taxes and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.
The FAFSA is used by the US Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal grants, work study, and loans.
- A Federal Pell Grant: does not have to be paid back, and with the low cost of tuition at Carolina College of Biblical Studies, eligible students can use their Pell Grant to cover most of their tuition.
- A Federal Direct Loan, on the other hand, is required to be payed back.
The interest rate on federal direct loans are fixed and typically lower than a private loan. The amount you can borrow depends on if you are an undergraduate student, a graduate student, or a parent.
There are many misconceptions about applying for financial aid and paying back student loans. So even if you don’t think you will qualify, you should take about 30 minutes to complete your application.
Scholarships
Another way to pay for college is through scholarships. This is a wonderful avenue to explore because thousands of scholarships are offered each year.
The scholarship search can take a little longer than completing the financial aid application, so start by finding one that caters to you.
Here are a few scholarship websites that can assist in your search:
https://scholarshipowl.com/
https://www.scholarships.com/
https://thescholarshipsystem.com/
https://www.fastweb.com/
Applying for a scholarship should be free, so avoid scholarships that require payment. This isn’t a process that should be rushed, so take your time to review and apply to available scholarships.
Remember:
- Hundreds of students apply for scholarships each year; make yourself stand out.
- Don’t forget to search locally.
- Ask around at your church, talk to your pastor or minister. You never know who may be willing to help you pay for college.
Military Benefits
If you are active military or a retired veteran, thank you for your service. There are a variety of benefits available for active military service members, veterans, retirees, and eligible family members.
These benefits depend on the military status and branch of service.
Many military veterans can pay for college by using their VA benefits at Carolina College of Biblical Studies. We recommend students first apply for their benefits through the VA website.
If a student has questions about their eligibility, they can contact the VA benefits hotline at 1-800-827-1000.
Self-Pay
Some students choose to pay for college on their own. At CCBS, we know this can be a challenge. As a result, a monthly payment plan is offered to those students funding their own education.
Your Calling. Our Mission.
God has faithfully provided for hundreds of students at Carolina College of Biblical Studies. Each one has been able to fund their biblical training at CCBS using various financial aid opportunities and creative strategies. Download our free ebook today and read more about five creative strategies to fund your education.