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FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form you submit each year at studentaid.gov that the government and universities use to calculate your eligibility for grants, scholarships and student loans. Submit your FAFSA each year to maximize your aid. .

Cost of Attendance (COA)

An estimated amount of education expenses (tuition, books and supplies, housing and food, personal expenses, transportation expenses). This number can change year to year. This estimate includes both direct costs and indirect costs, defined below. Learn more in our Costs tab.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

A number, based on your FAFSA information, that schools use to evaluate your eligibility to receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid.

Financial Need

Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and your student aid index (SAI).

Direct Costs

Includes your tuition and fees. You can choose to make adjustments to some of these costs, as outlined in the “Managing Your Costs” section below.

Indirect Costs

Estimated extra costs associated with going to school, including textbooks, class supplies, off-campus housing and food, and transportation costs. These costs are more variable depending on your personal situation, so the amount listed in your COA is a rough estimate. See the “Managing Your Costs” section below for more information.

Federal Work-Study

This program provides eligible students opportunities for part-time work to help fund their education. Learn more here.

Note: the graphic below is just an example. Your individual aid offer may have different aid programs listed!

PLACEHOLDER FOR IMAGE

1-Estimated Cost of Attendance

Each student’s individual COA will be different. We use averages to give you a general idea of your costs. The costs are broken up into direct costs and indirect costs (see “Terms to Know” above). Some indirect costs may appear on your bill, but most won’t.

2-Estimated Financial Aid Offer(s)

This section shows estimates for the types of financial aid you qualify for from the college. These estimated amounts are subject to change based on factors like how many credit hours you take and what other forms of aid you accept from outside the college. These types of aid don’t need to be repaid. Many are renewable but may have specific criteria to meet each time you renew to maintain eligibility.

3-Estimated Student Loan Option(s)

The loans listed here are federal loans offered by the US Department of Education. Some loans are subsidized, and others are unsubsidized. Subsidized loans don’t accrue interest while you’re in school. Unsubsidized loans do. You’ll have to complete a Master Promissory Note and loan entrance counselling, both on studentaid.gov, if you accept any amount of student loans.

Visit the Types of Aid tab to find information about aid sources listed on your financial aid offer.

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Loans
• Federal Work-Study

If your financial aid offer does not cover enough of your estimated COA, here are some sources of additional aid.

• Private scholarships from places like local and national foundations, religious institutions, and corporate scholarship funds.
• Alternative (Private) Education Loans
• Managing your cost of attendance (see section below).

Here are some ideas to lower or manage your costs.

• First, review your offer with your family and determine your budget.
• Lower your indirect costs by buying used textbooks or borrowing them from a student who has already taken the course. Other class materials may be available used, too.
• Instead of bringing a car to campus, consider a bike or using the Free ATA Bus for ��� ِ�� Tech student.
• Set up a one-on-one meeting with the Office of Financial Aid for personalized counseling to improve your financial well-being.

Use the Financial Aid Portal to complete all the following to-do items as early as possible to maximize your financial aid.

Financial Aid Portal

All students:

• Grant FERPA permission to allow us to discuss your info with specific people you trust.
• Update your direct deposit information in MATCOnline so you can receive your refund faster.
• Use the secure file upload process to securely and safely send materials when requested.
• Notify us if you receive a private scholarship (one not listed on your aid offer notification).

Additional steps for students with federal loans:

• Accept, decline or adjust loan amounts in your Financial Aid Portal once you’ve carefully considered your financial aid offer.
• Electronically sign your direct loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) on studentaid.gov.
• Complete your direct loan entrance counseling on studentaid.gov.