Financial Aid �Tips & Advice

Elizabeth Beaton

Associate Director

Undergraduate Financial Aid

“An investment in knowledge

pays the best interest.”

-Benjamin Franklin

Where the investment begins:

Academic Scholarships look at high school performance and growth.

Make your schedule and achievements work for you.

Merit Awards are locked in and will not increase or decrease based on your FAFSA reporting.

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Start applying now for outside scholarships. It is never too early.

Free national searches such as:

Fastweb.com

Scholarships.com

Collegeboard.com

Student.Naviance.com

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Set yourself up for success utilizing school breaks and summers to build your resume and savings.

Outside scholarships are impossible to receive and not worth the effort.

Financial Aid Myth #1

X

What are your plans after high school?

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Aid Applications

My older sibling did not receive aid

so I shouldn’t bother!

Financial Aid Myth #2

X

Have you completed the FAFSA yet?

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Be prepared:

• Applications
• FAFSA – opened October 1^st
• CSS Profile – opened October 1^st
• Institutional Aid Applications & Verification
• Income
• The FAFSA and CSS Profile will look at financials 2 years prior to enrollment year.
• Seniors, for the 2026-27 academic year, the 2024 tax data will be utilized.
• Assets
• Assets are current.
• Examples:
• The value of Educational Savings Plans
• Rental Properties or second homes
• Small business and farms are once again EXCLUDED from asset reporting

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Completed YEARLY for determination of

need-based aid along with federal loans and

work-study.

Quinnipiac University FAFSA Completion Nights

Quinnipiac will be offering live FAFSA completion nights starting at 6:30 pm on the following nights:

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• Tuesday, October 14^th
• Wednesday, October 29^th
• Wednesday, November 5^th
• Thursday, November 20^th
• Tuesday, December 2^nd
• Thursday, December 11^th

My 2025 income is going to be less than 2024, so I should wait until I file and use my 2025 tax information the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Myth #3

X

I should wait to receive my college acceptance before adding a school to my FAFSA.

Financial Aid Myth #4

X

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA:

• Your Social Security Number (it is important you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)

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• If a dependent student, your parents’ email addresses.

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• Your driver’s license, if you have one

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• If not a U.S. citizen, your Alien Registration number

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• 2024 Federal Tax Information or tax returns including W2s

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• Records of untaxed income, such as child support received

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• Information on cash, savings and checking account balances along with investments and business values.

Parental Information on the FAFSA – Who to include:

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY

Creating your FSA ID�https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY

If your permanent address is

outside of the US, enter city

in the appropriate space for city

and select Foreign Country for

the state.

If my parent completes the FAFSA with me,

they are financially responsible for paying for college.

Financial Aid Myth #5

X

TYPES OF AID

Two Categories of Financial Aid

PELL Grant

Institutional Grants

Federal

Work-Study

Subsidized

Student Loan

Athletic Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

Unsubsidized Student Loan

State Grants

FAFSA Completion Incentive

Grants

Educate yourself on the renewal policies for each type of aid at each institution!

Types of Financial Aid

Sources of Financial Aid

Create a spreadsheet to keep track of all application deadlines.

Example:

Connecticut has the

Roberta B. Willis Scholarship

And grant program.

Federal Work-Study

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Some schools may use FWS funding to reduce the balance due; however, at many institutions

students receive paychecks or direct deposits for hours worked.

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FWS eligibility is determined by each individual school based on your FAFSA calculation and their cost of attendance. Not all students who complete the FAFSA will be eligible for FWS.

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You may qualify for FWS at one school but not another.

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A few points about FWS at Quinnipiac University:

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• Accepting FWS it not a binding contract for employment.
• FWS employment is an opportunity to build your resume.
• FWS employment allows you to learn all the offices on campus and meet some students you might not otherwise have connected with.
• FWS is an opportunity to earn pocket money, but it does not reduce the balance due.

Once I receive my scholarship and/or aid offer, I cannot request a review.

Financial Aid Myth #6

X

COST: What is included in the cost of attendance?

Cost of Attendance

• Tuition + Fees
• Housing
• Food
• Books/Supplies
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous Expenses

Cost impacted by:

• Type of institution
• On-Campus/Off Campus/At Home
• Number of credits

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Direct Costs

• Billed by the institution

Indirect Costs

• Estimated expenses while enrolled

The COA is for the academic year

and is based on an average of costs.

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The COA will NOT match your fall

billing invoice.

My SAI is the amount I can expect to pay for college.

Financial Aid Myth #7

X

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How is “need” calculated?

COST OF ATTENDENCE

-SAI (FAFSA CALCUATION)

__________________________

= FINANCIAL NEED

What is YOUR remaining contribution?

$

$

$

$5,500

$

• Did not include SAI.
• Did not include FWS

It is important to note that your

need-based aid, could change yearly

based on the FAFSA and/or CSS

profile calculation(s) along with changes

with direct and/or indirect costs.

How to meet the balance due:

• Savings
• Educational Savings Plans:
• Check with your plan for payment options and what are eligible expenses.
• Check the growth at which the plan is growing compared to interest rates.
• Payment plans allow students and families to make monthly payments directly to the schools. Many schools, like Quinnipiac University, will offer these plans interest free.
• Educational Loans:
• Federal Direct Student Loans
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan – only in parent’s name. Limited to $20,000 per year per student.
• Private Loans – available for parents and students but students will need credit-worthy cosigner.
• Other:
• Outside scholarships
• VA Educational Benefits
• Employer Tuition Benefits

Responsible Borrowing

• Before taking out student loans, utilize all resources including payment plans.

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• Conservative borrowing is always recommended but you can borrow to reimburse yourself for out-of-pocket expenses such as books and supplies.

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• It is recommended to borrow for the academic year versus semester by semester.

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• Federal Loans will give you the option to begin payments now or 6 months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least ½ time.

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• Private lenders will have varying interest rates and repayment schedules.

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• Making payments while in school will save on accrued interest.

Loans

Federal Educational Loans

Subsidized Loans

• Need-based
• Government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least ½ time and during

the 6-month grace period

• FAFSA is required YEARLY
• 1.057% origination fee taken from the loan
• The 2025-26 academic year interest rate is 6.39%.
• Federal loans offer fixed interest rates for the life of the individual loan.
• Loans have a 6-month grace period prior to going into repayment
• Deferment and forbearance options available.
• Maximum borrowing per grade level based on eligibility:
• First year: $3,500
• Sophomore: $4,500
• Junior: $5,500
• Senior: $5,500

Unsubsidized Loans

• NOT need-based
• Interest begins accruing from the initial disbursement
• FAFSA is required YEARLY
• The 2025-26 academic year interest rate is 6.39%
• Federal loans offer fixed interest rates for the life of the individual loan.
• 1.057% origination fee taken from the loan
• Loans have a 6-month grace period prior to going into repayment
• Deferment availability
• If eligible for maximum subsidized loan, the maximum a student can borrow by grade level:
• First year: $2,000
• Sophomore: $2,000
• Junior: $2,000
• Senior: $2,000

Parent PLUS Loan

• NOT need-based
• Requires good credit history with no bankruptcies
• Interest begins accruing from the initial disbursement
• FAFSA is required YEARLY
• 4.228% origination fee taken from the loan amount
• The 2025-26 academic year interest rate is 8.94%
• Flexible repayment plans/options
• Deferment availability
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• If denied, student is offered an additional unsubsidized loan based on grade level.
• THIS IS A PARENT LOAN AND NEVER DEFAULTS TO THE STUDENT.
• Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, the PLUS Loan will be capped at $20,000 per student.

Federal Educational Loans

Private Loans

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Private educational loans are available to university students. Private educational loan programs vary by lender. Each lender provides their own customer service department to answer specific questions to your financial needs.

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• University based loan options (not offered at Quinnipiac)
• Credit Unions
• Banks and private lenders (www.elmselect.com)
• Requires credit checks and a review of your financial strength/portfolio
• Private loans in the student’s name will require a credit-worthy cosigner
• Wide range of interest rates and repayment options
• Private loans must be certified by the financial aid administrator.

Private Lending Options

Program Benefits

When researching schools and programs, look for programs which offer financial savings, such as

Quinnipiac University’s Dual Degree Programs.

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Example: Quinnipiac’s Business 3+1 Program

Accelerated Undergraduate Degree saving a full year’s undergraduate tuition.

Scholarship available into Master’s Program.

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Compare 4 years at QU to 5 somewhere else.

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https://www.qu.edu/academics/about-our-programs/dual-degree/

Community Colleges

• Current students or graduates of GCC, HCC and NCC will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third-year (junior) status at Quinnipiac provided that they:
• Graduate from GCC, HCC or NCC with:
• An Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, an Associate in Business, College of Technology Engineering Science, Nursing or an Allied Health degree
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (this may be higher in specific programs)
• Satisfy all other Quinnipiac transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.
• Will be considered for a respectable transfer scholarship.
• Free courses: Current full-time students at GCC, HCC or NCC may take up to 3 free courses (a maximum of 1 per academic year) at Quinnipiac. These courses will count for credit toward their bachelor’s degree, provided the student earns a grade of C or better.

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• Director of Transfer Admissions can be reached via email at: Brittney.Finoia@QU.edu

Incentive Grants

• FAFSA INCENTIVE
• Quinnipiac University is offering first year students who complete their Admissions application and FAFSA prior to December 15^th a one-time $500 FAFSA incentive grant.
• CAMPUS VISIT INCENTIVES
• For the students entering Fall, 2026, Quinnipiac University is offering a $500 renewable grant to seniors who attend a fall open house in their senior year.
• EARLY DECISION INCENTIVES
• For the students entering Fall, 2026, Quinnipiac University is offering a $2,000 renewable grant to students who apply Early Decision and are accepted.
• Some schools meet 100% of demonstrated need
• Ask for fee waivers

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Net Price Calculators

Use the Net Price Calculator to understand what

you might pay.

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You may be surprised to know that nationwide, for

students attending private four-year colleges, the

average family can pay much less than the college’s

published price. The Net Price Calculator is the ideal

tool to help full-time, incoming first-year students

determine what your actual annual cost would be to attend.

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Free Guidance

• Attend community or college sponsored workshops for financing college

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• Work with your Financial Aid Counselors from your selected schools

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• Work with your High School Guidance Department

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• Visit www.studentaid.gov

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• Contact the Financial Aid Office at Quinnipiac University by emailing finaid@qu.edu

Timeline

There is only one FAFSA deadline and it isn’t until June.

Financial Aid Myth #8

X

Junior Year

1. Start your research early.

What is the average aid offer?

What is the average income post graduation based on your major and geographic area?

Will your projected income support repayment of educational loans?

Does your major have the possibility of educational loan forgiveness?

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• Apply for outside scholarships starting now.

Create a separate email address just for scholarship searches.

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• Have family discussions about financing college. Do you have a credit-worthy cosigner?

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Senior Year

• End of Summer/Early Fall of Senior Year, begin applying to schools.
• Applications should include safety schools both academically and financially.
• Remember to ask individual schools for application fee waiver codes.
• Include student’s social security number on the application.
• After October 1^st, complete the FAFSA through www.studentaid.gov
• Use name on student’s social security card. No nicknames or preferred names.
• If applying to State Schools, list them first on FAFSA.
• Some schools may also require the CSS Profile, which has a processing fee, along with institutional forms.
• If the FAFSA tax year is not a good representation of current financial strength, contact each school asking for professional judgement.
• Keep applying for outside scholarships!

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Quinnipiac University Application & Aid Offer Timeline

• Early Decision – Admissions application due by November 1^st
• Early Action – Admissions application due by November 15^th
• Regular Decision – Admissions application due by February 1^st

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• Nursing and Health Sciences – Admissions application due by November 15^th

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• Aid offers are projected be processed within 2-4 weeks of acceptance and receipt of an approved FAFSA application. Processing efficiently and timely will be dependent upon the accuracy of the Department of Education data and the speed with which it is received.

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• Notifications will be sent by email and standard mail to the mailing address on record.

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• For priority consideration, we ask that all incoming students complete the FAFSA by March 1, 2026.�

Quick Tips and Reminders:

• Watch ALL deadlines.
• Include student’s social security number on Admissions Application.
• Apply for outside scholarships.
• Attend Financial Aid Workshops.
• Visit prospective schools.
• Meet your Financial Aid Counselors.
• Ask if there is appeal process for additional aid.

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As a family, you need to determine value versus cost.

What is the name of the Quinnipiac mascot?

The Slido app must be installed on every computer you’re presenting from

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Elizabeth Beaton

Associate Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid

275 Mount Carmel Avenue

Hamden, CT 06518

FINAID@qu.edu

203-582-8750

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