About Financial Aid

What do you wish you’d known about financial aid when you were a new student?

“It is okay to take student loans. I spent so much time worrying about being in debt but at the same time needed student loans to go to school. I didn’t think it was normal and worried about what people would think. Why did I need loans when others didn’t? Was I doing something wrong by accepting them? Within a few weeks, I realized how normal it is to need student loans to go to school. College is expensive. Everyone is there for the same reason and nobody is worried about how you got there. Almost everyone I know took out loans. You can choose a specific amount of loans to take. Take what you need and follow your path.”

- Allison, BA

“When I started college, I didn’t realize how important it is to stay in contact with financial aid. Keep up with the charges on your account, and make sure if you have Florida Bright Futures or Florida Prepaid that they go through each semester! There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities if you’re willing to do some research. Overall, I wish I knew to stay informed in what financial aid I was entering college with and the opportunities available as I progressed.”

- Grace, College Senior

“Financial aid is a huge world to manage, and the investment in education will make an impact on post-grad life that can be hard to imagine in the present. If you need to take out student loans, I would recommend borrowing conservatively. The amount you are approved to borrow often provides enough for a more lavish life than a college student needs to live. Put together your personal budget before taking out your loans as the suggested one may not factor in roommates, modest meal prepping, part-time employment and any other cost saving measures you might factor in. Being more conservative with loan amounts is a compounded good decision.”

- Haley, M. Div.