The Financial Aid Office
If you were trying to build a computer and you had a crack team of electronics engineers on call, would you use them? Of course you would! That's what the Financial Aid Office is where money for college is concerned - pros who work for you.
In the Financial Aid Office (FAO), you have a group of financial aid professionals ready to work on your behalf. The Financial Aid Office's entire reason for being is to help students pay for college.
Also, understand that the FAO staff "knows" the system. They may have to ask you awkward and very personal questions about your family finances, your parents' marital issues, your home life, etc. They're not doing this because they have a personal interest in when your parents' divorce was final; they're doing it because they know you will get less money if everything isn't "signed, sealed and delivered" properly.
Meet a Financial Aid Officer, Kathy Shepard, who will answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning college financial aid.
Financial Aid Office: Student Perspective
Many students are intimidated by the FAO. Don’t be. There are many forms to fill out and many confusing regulations and requirements, but the Financial Aid Office is there solely to help students understand the financial aid process and to help them get the financial aid they need.
Meet two students below who share their experiences with the Financial Aid Office.
So make sure you involve the Financial Aid Office early and often. They're there to help you.
