There’s a lot to navigate in the college financial aid world. With the right guidance and resources, however, you can confidently make the best financial decisions for your education. Whether you’re a prospective college student or a parent looking to support your student, this toolkit covers it all—from definitions and resources to comprehensive “how-to’s” and how Cairn University’s Student Financial Services Office can help you. We’re here to support you in the college financial aid planning process!
The Basics of College Financial Aid Planning
Understanding Terminology
Financial aid helps make higher education accessible by covering some or all of your tuition, fees, and related expenses. You can rely that they generally fall into these categories:
Financial Aid Terminology
| Grants | Scholarships | Work-Study Programs | Loans |
| Money that doesn’t need to be repaid, often awarded based on financial need (e.g., Pell Grants) | Money typically awarded based on merit, skills, or other criteria | Part-time jobs for students to earn money toward their education | Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest |
Now that you have the basic terminologies down, consider these resources below and assess what steps you can take to understand your college financial situation better.
Financial Aid Tools and Resources:
This wouldn’t be a very good financial aid planning blog if we only gave you terms. Below, you can check out resources that aim to help you save money, find loan options, and explore other financial aid resources:
For scholarships, it is important to remember that applying to ones externally may mean they won’t all apply to every college you are interested in, but it never hurts to try and see what you get!
You can also check out Cairn’s internal aid and scholarship resources to give you a better idea of what to expect from us:
Additionally, FAFSA resources are essential to understanding the somewhat complex application process. Below, you can find links to both the FAFSA site and our own tips and tricks for filling out the FAFSA that we regularly update each academic year.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Discovering Your Financial Aid Options
- Apply to Colleges
- That way, you know what ID codes to use when filling out the FAFSA.
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your next step in college financial aid planning. It determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, so the sooner you complete this, the sooner a college can give you a comprehensive offer of aid letter. Even if you think you won’t qualify, we still recommend you submit the FAFSA—it’s required for many scholarships and institutional aid.
P.S.—For other tips and up-to-date information about the FAFSA each year, check out our blog, the 2025–2026 FAFSA Guide!
- Submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your next step in college financial aid planning. It determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, so the sooner you complete this, the sooner a college can give you a comprehensive offer of aid letter. Even if you think you won’t qualify, we still recommend you submit the FAFSA—it’s required for many scholarships and institutional aid.
- Explore State and Institutional Aid
- Many states and colleges offer their own financial aid programs. Be sure to research deadlines and requirements for these opportunities.
- Search for Scholarships
- Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. There are merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and those based on unique talents, demographics, or career aspirations.
- Compare Financial Aid Offers
- Once you’ve been accepted and received your financial aid packages, compare them carefully. Look at the mix of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study to determine your out-of-pocket costs
Questions to consider when comparing financial aid offers:
When speaking to financial aid offices or your college counselors, be sure to ask them the right questions to get the best understanding of your aid package. You can use these as ideas:
- Will a less expensive school still have the quality experience I am looking for in a college?
- Have I explored all my scholarship options in each cost break-down area?
- Is my current and expected future financial situation going to work with my potential long-term repayment plan?
- How often will my financial aid be reviewed, and can it increase or decrease?
- What is the job placement rate and average starting salary for graduates in my intended major?
- Does the school offer flexibility if my financial situation changes (e.g., job loss, medical expenses)?
- Can the school match or increase its offer if another school provides a better financial aid package?
Top 5 Tips for Maximizing Aid
- Apply Early: The earlier you apply for financial aid, the better your chances of receiving assistance.
- Be Thorough: Don’t leave any application questions blank and ensure all documents are accurate.
- Seek Advice: Cairn’s financial aid counselors are available to answer questions and provide guidance.
- Complete Loan Counseling if you are taking out federal loans. This is required to help you understand your responsibilities as a borrower.
- Reapply Annually: Financial aid isn’t a one-time process. You’ll need to complete the FAFSA each year.
Financial Aid at Cairn University
Our Student Financial Services (SFS) Office is dedicated to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process. Whether you want to ask about scholarship options, need clarification about your aid package, or require information about payment plans, they’re your department! Consider in detail the following ways they can assist you:
Institutional Aid and Scholarships
Cairn offers and accepts a wide range of scholarships and grants, including:
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded based on your academic achievements.
- Need-Based Aid: Assessed through your FAFSA submission.
- Specialty Scholarships: For students in specific programs or with unique qualifications like our church matching scholarship.
Personalized Support for Your College Financial Aid Planning
The Student Financial Services (SFS) Office provides personalized assistance to help you:
- Understand your financial aid packages
- Set up payment plans that work for their budget
- Connect you with external scholarship opportunities
Work-Study Opportunities/ On Campus Jobs
Cairn offers on-campus work-study positions to help students gain experience while earning money for your education. While this won’t be something you can apply directly to your offer of aid, it can still be considered a resource to help you earn money without leaving the campus.
College Financial Aid Planning: Your Success Story
Paying for college is a significant investment, but with proper planning and support, you can make it manageable. The right resources and strategies will help you focus less on finances and more on your education and future. Apply to Cairn to start your financial aid planning today!
