• Accreditation/Memberships
• Academic Profile
• Schools
• Clubs/Organizations
• College Planning
  • » Welcome
  • » Program Philosophy
  • » College Visit Calendar
  • » Life & Career Planning
• Counseling Program
• Health Services
• Library
• Spiritual Life
• Summer Programs
• Technology

Financing Your Child’s College Education:

Typically, college expenses are paid using a combination of the following resources: 1) personal savings, 2) scholarships and grants, 3) loans, and 4) work-study programs. Although finding money for college can be a long and laborious process, the cost of college can be significantly reduced with just a little effort and determination. Listed below are general descriptions of the resources available as well as an overview of the financial aid process.

Scholarships:

There are many college scholarships available to the student who is willing to spend the time and energy necessary researching possibilities, writing essays and applying for available funds.

Merit Scholarships: Most colleges and universities offer merit scholarships based on academic achievement such as a student’s standardized test scores and/or GPA. Some colleges and universities automatically consider applicants for merit scholarships when a student applies. Others require separate applications for merit scholarships. To be considered for these scholarships, colleges often require the application be submitted earlier than regular admission applicants. Make sure to check the financial aid page of the college in early fall (August) for specific guidelines and deadlines regarding scholarship applications. Often, colleges invite scholarship finalists to the school for a personal interview in February or early March. All merit scholarships require the student maintain a certain academic standard while in college or the scholarship is not renewed.

Need-based Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are awarded to college students based on financial need. Some need-based scholarships simply require proof of financial need. Other scholarships have additional requirements as well. For example, the Bonner Scholarship is a community service scholarship given to students of participating colleges. Candidates must demonstrate financial need to apply, but must also demonstrate a previous commitment to community service.

HOPE Scholarship: The HOPE scholarship is available to Georgia residents attending a public college, university, or technical college in Georgia. The scholarship provides money to assist students with their educational costs. Because certain private colleges and universities in Georgia also honor this scholarship, make sure to check with the financial aid office at that institution to find out their policies regarding the HOPE.

Students who qualify for the Hope and attend a public college or university in Georgia will receive a percentage amount of the standard tuition charges up to the total cost of tuition for the number of hours enrolled. The HOPE Scholarship does not pay for room and board.

Provided your student maintains a 3.0 GPA in college, his or her HOPE scholarship will automatically renew.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please remember that the GPA stated on the Whitefield Academy transcript is not the figure on which the GA University system bases the HOPE Scholarship. They will consider only core courses. They also do not consider the accelerated grading scale that Whitefield uses. For example, Whitefield’s English class grade of an 88 would be calculated as a 3.7. The HOPE calculation would be a 3.0. Final transcripts from Whitefield Academy can be submitted to GA Student Finance Only after graduation to be approved as a HOPE Scholarship recipient.

To apply and read a more detailed overview of the HOPE Scholarship, click here.

Grants:
Grants are usually, but not always, provided through the government or a non-profit organization. While most scholarships are awarded for tuition, room and board, grants can be often be applied to a variety of educational expenses. Grants are typically awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. There is a wide-range of grants available to college and graduate students. There are grants available for students in a particular field of study, military students, minorities, and other special groups. A good deal of college grants are given out through federal or state governments. One of the most common government grants is the Pell Grant, which is subdivided into numerous categories and awarded for academic competitiveness, financial need, or for those going into a high demand field like mathematics. Applying for grants can be a long and involved process as grant applications can vary greatly. Some will require essays, others will want letters of recommendation from teachers or community members, and those based on need, like Pell grants, will likely need to see statements regarding your family's income.

Applying for Financial Aid
All college-bound students are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a free application detailing the family’s income and assets. The FAFSA is evaluated and a report is sent to the colleges where students apply. The report includes the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or the amount the federal government determines a family can contribute to college expenses. Whether or not a student is eligible for specific grants is also determined through the FAFSA. Colleges and universities use the FAFSA report to determine whether or not a student is eligible for certain need-based scholarships offered by that college.