Overview
This section contains resources to help students learn about the financial aid system.
Objectives
Students should be able to:
- Describe the basic process to apply for financial aid, and
- Explain the various types of aid available and the pros/cons of each type.
Introductory Question
- How do people pay for college? What are the different routes?
Suggested Class Sequence(s)
Class sequences are connected topics with activities, worksheets, and readings which take two or more days of class to complete.
- Paying for College
Provides full class lessons on Paying for College 101, Applying for the FAFSA, Scholarships and Grants, Student Loans, Financial Aid packages, and Student Loan Repayment; can be spread over a semester or used as a sequence.
Videos
Short videos help tap into multiple modes of learning and can provide a good introduction to or illustration of a topic. See suggested protocols for classroom viewing.
- What is FAFSA? (:50)
Lehman College-produced video providing an overview of the Federal Financial Aid form - Applying for Financial Aid (1:01)
Lehman-college produced video providing an overview of the financial aid process - What Is FAFSA®? (1:57)
An overview of the Federal form used to apply for financial aid provided by the Federal Student Aid agency. (1:57)
Readings
All readings should be paired with a structure or protocol, especially if any reading will be completed in class.
- Understanding the Price Tag
This reading can be paired with the KBCC College Now Financial Aid Slides. - Financial Aid and Scholarships
This reading can be paired with the KBCC College Now Financial Aid Slides.
Activities
Activities include individual or group tasks that can be completed in less than one class period; some activities may be repeated in a sequence and are re-listed here for ease of access.
- Virtual Visit to a College
Students research a CUNY College virtually, to discover the admissions criteria, financial aid information, and academic offerings - Visit from Financial Aid Representative
Students brainstorm questions in preparation for a visit from a financial aid officer
Resources
- LaGCC PPT Slide on Financial Aid
Ready to use slides on financial aid; content from 2022-2023 - KBCC College Now Financial Aid Slides
Ready to use slides on financial aid; this resource can be paired with the Understanding the Price Tag and Financial Aid and Scholarships readings
Share Content
- Click on this link to access our submission form that will guide you through submitting your materials. The form is designed to make submitting your content straightforward and ensure your contribution aligns with our platform’s style and goals. On the form you will find:
- Clear definitions of each type of submission you might contribute, whether it’s a video, reading, sequence, standalone activity, or resource.
- Guidelines for writing descriptions specific to each type of submission, such as what to emphasize for standalone activity descriptions versus readings.
- Instructions on proper documentation and linking to ensure credits are correctly attributed.
- Annotated examples of each type of submission to help you visualize what a complete submission looks like.
- Please note: We may make minor adjustments to enhance clarity or structure, like refining steps, directions, or adding reflection questions, but we’ll keep the original intent intact.
