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April 1. For families who need additional assistance, applications for parent
PLUS loans and private loans should be submitted annually by June 15.
In cooperation with the Office of
Admissions, recruiting scholarships
are awarded on the basis of the
student’s admissions application,
high school transcript and official
test scores received by March
1. South Carolina residents are
considered for state merit-based
scholarships, including the
Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and Hope
scholarships. Continuing students
are automatically considered
for general and departmental
scholarships on the basis of their
college work.
When financial aid is awarded,
students will receive an email
alerting them to view their awards
in iROAR. Students must review
and accept the terms and conditions of their awards before they are able to
individually accept/decline their financial aid. Available funds will be credited
to the student bill, except for work-study stipends, which are paid bi-weekly
based on the hours worked. Arrange for direct deposit of financial aid
refunds to avoid handling large sums of cash and discuss with your
student ways to budget the funds for the entire semester.
Financial Aid Lingo
•
Cost of Attendance (COA)
COA is the total amount of college expenses before financial aid. Cost
of attendance includes money spent on tuition and fees, room and board,
books and supplies, and living expenses.
•
529 Savings Plans
State-sponsored investment plans, officially called qualified tuition
programs (QTP), help families save money for college. The plans have tax
benefits so your savings can grow faster. The money in the accounts can
be used only for education expenses.
•
Financial Aid
This is money given or loaned to help pay for college. Financial aid can
come from federal and state governments, colleges and private and social
organizations.
•
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is a free application form a student submits to apply for
federal financial aid. It is required for all students seeking federal student
grants, work-study programs and loans. Most colleges require it as well.
The FAFSA may also qualify you for state-sponsored financial aid.
•
Federal School Code (also, Title IV Institution Code)
Each college, campus or program has a six-character institution code.
In June 2015, with 32
hours completed at Blue
Ridge, my son received the
Tigertown Bound packet he so
desperately wanted. The first
few minutes of this new reality
were a blur of tears and hugs
and laughter and hugs and
more tears and more hugs.
Parents, help your child
understand there are many
pathways that lead to Clemson
and sometimes Tigertown
Bound includes a detour
along the way.”
Forrest White
Richmond, Va.
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