Simply put, tuition is the base price of your education. It does not include room and board, textbooks, and other fees. Tuition rates may vary by program at Worsham College.

The COA is the sum calculated by Worsham College for one year of attendance. It includes tuition and fees payable to the institution, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation.

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of how much money you and your family will be expected to contribute toward your educational expenses for one academic year. Your EFC is calculated once you have submitted the FAFSA.

This is a free federal form that students must file to qualify for federal funds, state grants, and college need-based financial aid. It must be filed each year. The information provided on the FAFSA is used to calculate a student’s EFC.

The SAR outlines the details of your EFC. It is processed and sent to you after you file your FAFSA. Copies of the SAR are also sent to your state’s grant agency and the colleges you list on your FAFSA.

A student’s demonstrated financial need reflects the amount of your total cost of attendance that remains after subtracting your expected family contribution. In other words, it reflects the amount of your cost of attendance that your/your family’s personal finances would not cover. You must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for need-based financial assistance programs.

Your demonstrated financial need is calculated using this formula: COA – EFC = Demonstrated Financial Need.

Grants provide money for college that does not have to be paid back (unlike loans). They can come from Worsham College, the state or federal government, and private sources. Grant eligibility is typically determined by looking at your FAFSA results.

If scholarships, grants, and your personal finances do not cover the entire cost of tuition, you may want to take out a student loan to cover the difference. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Loans may be provided by the government, private sources (such as banks), or other organizations. Federal student loan rates and terms are generally more flexible than those of private loans, and you will not have to start payments until you are done with college.

Scholarships are primarily awarded for academic merit (good grades) or for something you have accomplished (volunteer work or a specific project). Need-based scholarships also exist. Like grants, scholarships do not have to be repaid.

The Department of Education implemented a new method for logging on to all student and borrower-based websites on May 10, 2015. Students, parents, and borrowers should create an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) online and to access U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity and electronically sign your federal student aid documents. To create an FSA ID, visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid.

If your financial aid does not pay all tuition and fees, you are responsible for these charges. Students must explore their options for scholarships, private loans, and parent loans to cover the difference.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, check, cash, or money orders.

The federal and state governments expect parents to assist their children when it comes to financing a college education. If there is a gap between the Expected Family Contribution — as determined by the FAFSA — and the actual contribution, contact the financial aid office to find out about alternative loans or financing programs.

Each semester, students who receive financial aid that overpays their student account, can receive a refund check from the Financial Aid Office. Refund checks can be mailed out to your home address on file or available for pick-up at the office.

Yes, your Financial Aid Advisor can discuss this option with you. Payment in full is required no later than thirty (30) days prior to graduation.

You will need to research and apply for outside scholarships on your own. Check out the free Internet scholarship search service called Fastweb. New students will be provided a scholarship list upon request, which can help you locate external scholarship sources beyond Worsham College. You must notify Worsham College of all outside scholarship aid received so that this aid can be applied toward meeting your financial need at Worsham College.

Gift aid includes scholarships, awards, and grants that do not have to be repaid. Self-help aid includes loans that will need to be repaid.

Veterans planning to attend Worsham College using the GI Bill should indicate this on their Admissions Application and visit the GI Bill Website to complete the VA Form 22-1990. For additional help and assistance, you may email Molly Moghari (MMoghari@worsham.edu), VA Certifying Official, or call 847-282-0455.

It is not necessary to file another FAFSA. Please contact your Financial Aid Officer if you have questions or concerns.

If you have any questions, contact Worsham Financial Aid at 847-282-0455.