Financial Aid
FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, selected state grants, and various scholarships. In your senior year of high school, applications can be submitted as early as October 1 prior to the year you wish to enter college. It is in your best interest to complete the FAFSA as early as possible as additional scholarships can be applied for once the FAFSA has been filed.
What you need to complete the FAFSA:
- Create an FSA ID which will allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically – it is recommended to obtain this beforehand so that you will be ready when FAFSA applications open. Be careful to enter your social security number correctly during your account setup.
- Your Social Security Number
- Your parents’ Social Security Numbers
- Driver’s License (if any)
- Previous Year’s W2 forms and Income Tax Return
- Parents’ Income Tax Return (only dependant students)
- Bank and Investment Statements
- School Codes you would like the results sent to (prepare to list a number of colleges you are interested in attending)
- Previous Year’s Untaxed Income Records
- Social Security Income
- Interest Income
- Veteran’s Benefits Records
**After submitting the FAFSA:
You can log back in immediately to check the status. Generally, it will take three to five days to process, plus an additional day for information to be sent to the schools you listed.
Once processed, a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated and sent to the applicant containing the applicant’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number. Check the accuracy and make any necessary changes. If no corrections are necessary, keep the Student Aid report for reference. Based upon this, colleges where you have been accepted will calculate your aid and send you an award letter to accept or reject.
It will be important to communicate with the financial aid office of your top college choices regarding any additional financial situations which could have a bearing on your financial award. Pertinent facts like whether you also have other siblings in college, and whether you had to report a higher income due to a higher cost of living overseas.
Once you have received your financial aid offer from your top colleges, evaluate what is available to you. Is it free money such as a grant or scholarship, or is it in the form of a loan which will need to be paid back with interest? Determine what will adequately cover your needs as well as consider negotiating financial awards between your top college choices (as mentioned in the Pre-College Timeline). Once a decision has been made, then notify all schools by the given deadline who have made an offer regarding your acceptance or your rejection so that they can release those funds to go to someone else.
In subsequent years you will need to supply updated income numbers as you renew your FAFSA each year.
For any shortfall in financial aid, consider being involved in the Federal Work-Study Program which provides an hourly wage for work done on campus during the school year. As with other applications, the earlier you apply for this through your college of choice, the greater your chances are of being accepted.
Scholarships
Oftentimes, families need additional financial assistance to help pay for college. Federal and state grants (filed through FAFSA) may not be enough to cover expenses. Searching online is certainly a good option but beware of scholarship search scams that are asking for payment. Free online scholarship searches are available as well as Facebook groups such as ‘Journey to College’. Also, review the website of your top colleges for available scholarships, or contact them directly for more information. As always, applying early will maximize your potential for receiving any scholarship.
If your application requires an essay, the following suggestions were submitted by a MK which are particularly useful for those desiring to enter a Christian university:
- Be sure that your essay meets the standard layout with each paragraph containing a hypothesis, arguments and examples, and a conclusion.
- Make a mind map (or index cards) of all of the topics touched on in the missions statement of the college, then add your notes to each subject in order to create a clear structure for yourself before starting the writing process. Once organized, this will establish your paragraph structure with one or two topics per paragraph.
- Include Christian scholars that serve as inspirations to you along with an explanation why.
- Refer to books you have read and use scientific quotation methods (very effective) to demonstrate your academic excellence.
- Incorporate your personal ministry and how you serve as a leader in your community. Being involved in your parents’ ministry or starting your own Bible study group or outreach program gives you the basis for including this on your application.
- Include what makes your experience as a MK unique. Keep in mind that all other applicants are MKs as well.
- Before turning in your essay, send it to five English (native) speakers for corrections.
- Be sure to not exaggerate while writing. During the second round you will be interviewed and asked about everything you wrote. Remember honesty is key.
Identified Scholarships Available to MKs:
Baptist Bible College (Springfield, MO) – Missionary Family Scholarship offers 50% discount in tuition to eligible students. For more information see gobbc.edu/admissions/funding-your-education/bbc-scholarships-grants.
Boston Baptist College (Boston, MA) – various scholarships are available for qualifying students ranging from $1,000 – $4,000. For more details visit boston.edu/missionary
Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) – The highly competitive MK Scholarship is offered for full-tuition to qualifying students. See liberty.edu/student-financial-services/scholarships/missionary-scholarships.
Awana – Those who have completed their Timothy, Meritorious or Citation award are eligible for significant scholarships at several different Christian colleges. Visit awana.org/us-curriculum/scholarships/ for more information.
Other Scholarships Available where BBFI MKs are currently attending (in alpha order):
Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC) – Ministry Scholarship of $2,000 yearly plus others
Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH) – President’s Ministry Impact Scholarship of $5,000 yearly plus others
College of the Ozarks (Branson, MO) – On campus work program + Federal/State Grants + College of the Ozarks Scholarship = free tuition. Summer work for free room and board is also available.
Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX) – Ministers Dependent Scholarship of $50 discount per credit hour given yearly, plus other scholarships.
Pensacola Christian College (Pensacola, FL) – Christian Service Scholarship of $1,000 yearly plus others.
Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) – Dependent of Missionary Scholarship of $1,000 yearly plus others.
Trinity Baptist College (Jacksonville, FL) – Ministry Dependent Scholarship of $1,500 yearly plus others.
West Coast Baptist College (Lancaster, CA) – Christian Worker’s Scholarship of $2,000 yearly plus others.
