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Life Planning Center > Paying For College
Landing Financial Aid
  • Key Points to Consider When Considering Financial Aid
  • Financial Aid Application Process
  • Ways to Minimize Income during "Base Year"
  • Effect of Assets on Financial Aid
  • Financial Aid Suggestions

Key Points to Consider When Considering Financial Aid

Never assume you don't qualify for financial aid. Getting help for footing the tab is available for thousands of middle-income parents and many colleges actually sweeten financial aid packages to lure the top students to their school. Most of the financial aid money available is awarded to those people who are diligent about going after it.

  • Connect with a Financial Consultant

The U.S. government is the largest source of financial aid. Other sources include:

  • The school itself
  • State governments
  • Private sources, such as corporations and philanthropic organizations
  • The armed forces

There are two types of financial aid:

  1. Need-based aid is calculated based on your financial circumstances.
  2. Merit-based aid is awarded by the school for special talents or achievements, regardless of financial circumstances.

A key concept in this area is expected family contribution. This is a calculated amount that estimates how much you can afford to contribute to the cost of college. This contribution amount is the same no matter what school you apply to. The financial aid process attempts to put all colleges within your financial reach, regardless of the total cost of the school. You are eligible to receive more aid at a higher cost school.

Being eligible does not mean you're going to get the financial aid. Total aid packages typically range between 65% and 100% of the amount you are eligible for, depending upon the college.

Example: You Are Eligible to Receive More Aid at a Higher-Cost School

Private School

Public School

College Cost

$40,000

$30,000

Expected Family Contribution

$4,000

$4,000

You Are Eligible for This
Much Aid


$36,000


$26,000

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Expected Family Contribution is different for everyone. We used $4,000 in this example to illustrate how this amount stays fixed and the amount of financial aid for which you are eligible increases as the cost of the school goes up.

SUGGESTION: Don't rule out an expensive school until you get all the facts.

You will need to understand the financial aid application process—and to budget some time for it, because it is lengthy. It will be helpful to minimize your income during the base year—the year on which the award of aid is based. And you should understand the effect of assets on financial aid. Take a moment as well to look at some suggestions we offer to help you get aid.

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Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and Mint Wealth Advisors are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Mint Wealth Advisors, and may also be employees of Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union or Mint Wealth Advisors. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

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Financial Learning Center content created by TrueBridge, Inc. The information provided is based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. The content contained herein is intended for information and illustrative purposes only, should not in any way be construed as a personal recommendation, and should be used in conjunction with individual professional advice.

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