I've never developed a budget before.  How do I do that?

I've never developed a budget before. How do I do that?

I'm worried I might get into financial trouble in college.  What should I do?

I'm worried I might get into financial trouble in college. What should I do?

Should I get a loan or credit card to help me pay for expenses?

Should I get a loan or credit card to help me pay for expenses?

How do I know if I'm taking out too much loan money or if I need any at all?

How do I know if I'm taking out too much loan money or if I need any at all?

Can I rely on my parents to take care of my financial aid for me?

Can I rely on my parents to take care of my financial aid for me?

What is a grant and how does it differ from a scholarship?

What is a grant and how does it differ from a scholarship?

What is FAFSA?

What is FAFSA?

Are there any differences in the aid process between public & private colleges?

Are there any differences in the aid process between public & private colleges?

Why does my financial aid award notice say, "preliminary?"

Why does my financial aid award notice say, "preliminary?"

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I've never developed a budget before. How do I do that?

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Understanding College Financial Aid

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<span><font><font>Brad received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business.<span>  </span>He furthered his education by graduating from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, specializing in Mental Health.<span>  </span>He has been involved in the financial aid and/or rehabilitation professions for the past 15 years.</font></font></span><span><font> </font></span><span><font>Brad, a Past President of the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA), currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships for James Madison University.<span>  </span>Immediately prior to JMU, he served as an Assistant Director of the Financial Aid Office at Virginia Commonwealth University.<span>  </span>Brad has presented numerous sessions at state, regional, and national conferences, and has served on a variety of association committees.<span>  </span>In addition to speaking at professional conferences, Brad has conducted an abundance of workshops and presentations in non-conference environments, including teaching a credit based financial literacy course at JMU entitled “Dollars and Sense.”<span>  </span>Many of the topics Brad’s speaks on include communication, leadership, values, financial aid policies and procedures, financial literacy, and saving for college.<span>  </span>He has also facilitated strategic planning and value development retreats.</font></span>

Can I rely on my parents to take care of my financial aid for me?

Host: Can I rely on my parents to take care of my financial aid for me?

Brad Barnett: This is one of my favorite questions because it's kind of the personal soap box, where we see the 18,19,20 year old students in college and they are still calling home for Mom and Dad for everything, including financial aid and one of the beautiful things about the college is not only that you learn stuff in the class room but you are learning how to be an independent individual. So, when you get out of the college, you can handle your finances, you can handle your life in general. Financial aid is a big part of that.

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Transcripts

Host: Can I rely on my parents to take care of my financial aid for me?

Brad Barnett: This is one of my favorite questions because it's kind of the personal soap box, where we see the 18,19,20 year old students in college and they are still calling home for Mom and Dad for everything, including financial aid and one of the beautiful things about the college is not only that you learn stuff in the class room but you are learning how to be an independent individual. So, when you get out of the college, you can handle your finances, you can handle your life in general. Financial aid is a big part of that. I encourage students and parents to work together in this process and I can tell you from years of experience, the students who have relied solely on their parents are typically the ones that we see who end up having problems getting through the process and or taking out unnecessary debt. So, do it together, do it in partnership and if you need some assistance in that partnership talk to your financial aid office. We will be happy to help.

What is a financial aid award notice?

What is a financial aid award notice?

Why does my financial aid award notice say, "preliminary?"

Why does my financial aid award notice say, "preliminary?"

I have received my official financial aid award notice.  Now what?

I have received my official financial aid award notice. Now what?

What should I do if my financial aid is not enough?

What should I do if my financial aid is not enough?

Am I required to tell the financial aid office of any private scholarships I receive?

Am I required to tell the financial aid office of any private scholarships I receive?

Understanding College Financial Aid

Understanding College Financial Aid

What is financial aid?

What is financial aid?

Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid or submit my FAFSA?

Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid or submit my FAFSA?

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

When transferring schools, what can I do to make sure I get my financial aid?

When transferring schools, what can I do to make sure I get my financial aid?