Finding Answers to Your Financial Aid Questions
At first glance, financial aid may seem confusing. However, by doing some simple research, you can understand the programs and learn how to apply for aid. There are several key people who can advise you on the best way to meet college expenses:
High School Counselors
High school counselors receive information and training on financial aid programs and can help students begin pursuing sources of assistance.
Minnesota College Goal Sunday
Minnesota College Goal Sunday is a annual event held January through May to encourage and help students and their parents apply for financial aid. In Minnesota, visit www.mncollegegoalsunday.org for more information. Or visit www.collegegoal.org to learn about events in other states.
Financial Aid Administrators
Financial aid administrators at the school you or your student wants to attend (or is attending) are the best single source of information on the types of aid available to you or your student’s needs. These aid administrators usually have some degree of discretion in assessing and making judgments on individual needs of students and may consider special circumstances affecting a student’s financial need. View financial aid contact information for a school.
The financial aid administrator serves many functions:
- Distributes and receives applications
- Determines each student’s financial need
- Develops financial aid packages
- Distributes financial aid
- Provides professional counseling to students and families
Most financial aid money, no matter where it comes from, is made available to the student through the financial aid administrator. Contact the aid administrator well before the start of the school term and consult the school’s catalog for application deadlines.
Your local financial aid administrators also may hold a financial aid event where you can learn more about how financial aid works and your aid options.
The Office of Higher Education
Our staff also are knowledgeable about financial aid programs and issues. If a high school counselor or financial aid administrator cannot answer your question, e-mail your question to us.