Determining Financial Aid:  Financial aid programs were established on the premise that the primary responsibility for paying educational expenses rests with the student and his or her family. Students and families who lack the necessary resources to pay these educational expenses are encouraged to apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA. This information is used to determine your financial aid eligibility. The following formula is used to determine whether you are eligible for need based financial aid:
               Student Budget
            - Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
            = Financial need

Student Budget:  The student expense budgets are used to calculate financial aid eligibility as well as to provide students and their families with a reasonable estimate of the cost of attendance at Carl Sandburg College. These student budgets include the allowance for tuition, living costs, books and supplies, transportation, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. These budgets are based on what are considered reasonable but modest, costs after surveying segments of our student population.

Expected Family Contribution:  Family contribution is the amount students and their families are expected to contribute toward the cost of a student's education. Family contribution is based on total income and assets as reported on the family's U.S. income tax returns, family size, number of family members in college, and an allowance for basic living expenses. You can obtain an estimate of your family contribution by visiting Finaid.com Web site or College Board at http://finaid.com/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml or http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/servlet/efcCalculatorServlet.

Financial Need:  The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the Expected Family Contribution is considered financial need. The Financial Aid Office will assist students and their families in trying to meet their financial need by offering a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities.

Average Cost for Nine Months of Education at Carl Sandburg College
Tuition and Fees (2008-2009 amount) $3,556
Books and Supplies 784
Total paid to Carl Sandburg: College $4,340

Other Costs you may incur:
Transportation $1,956
Personal Expenses $924
Living Costs $3,730

Independent Student Appeal:  A student who has unusual circumstances and feels his/her financial aid eligibility should be calculated solely on the basis of student income information, but who does not qualify according to the application, may appeal for independent status by completing the Independent Student Appeal Form. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for this form.

 

Still Need More Money:   If you still need more assistance, you should consider applying for scholarships or outside sources of assistance. Scholarship resource books are available at most libraries and on the Internet. You should also review scholarships available through the CSC Foundation at www.cscfoundation.org and the state of Illinois scholarship search foundation Collegezone.com. If you have special circumstances, such as loss of job or benefits, contact our Financial Aid Office and explain your circumstances.