Financial Aid Resources
The number of students enrolling in college has more than doubled in the last four decades. A big reason for this is because the global job market calls for people with specialized skills and training. Furthermore, industrial jobs are being replaced with technology-based jobs. Those who are highly trained in high demand jobs are more prepared to compete in the global job market.
With the increase in college enrollment comes the cost of college. The sad truth is that many students take a different path to going to college due to the high cost. At CRAMS Consulting, we believe that every student who has the potential to succeed in college should have the opportunity to go. For this reason, we leave no stones unturned in helping our scholars earn their way to college, by providing access to financial aid (federal and state) resources and scholarship opportunities. Millions of financial aid and scholarship dollars go unclaimed due to students’ lack of knowledge of those available resources. CRAMS Consulting has done the leg work so our students don’t have to. Below is a summary and explanation of financial aid and how it works.
➢ What is financial aid? Financial Aid is money for college in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and a job on campus called "Work Study."
➢ Where does it come from? Financial Aid comes from the federal government, the state of Florida, private donors and colleges.
➢ How much do you get? You will get the total cost of college minus your family contribution as computed by the financial aid formula. This is known as Need in financial aid jargon. It is the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.
➢ How much do you really get? You may not get all of the money you are eligible for. Some colleges cannot afford to meet all of your needs. That is why it is important to begin a scholarship search early.
➢ How does the college know you need financial aid? You must APPLY for it! If you don't, no one will know about your need. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available online at www.fafsa.gov beginning January 1 of each year.
➢ What if you still don't get enough financial aid? If you do not get the money you need from financial aid, you can ask the college to review your situation, and you can apply for a CAP, Inc. Grant. If you begin your scholarship search early, chances are you may not need to apply for loans.
*Pay attention to deadlines! Financial Aid is available on a limited basis on a first come – first serve basis.