financial aid, questions & answers

What is SAI vs EFC?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on December 22, 2023

SAI replaces EFC in the 2024-2025 FAFSA. SAI is the number that colleges will use to assess your eligibility for financial aid. It’s a significant, more streamlined change from the EFC system previously used and is meant to provide a more straightforward student aid calculation for families and prospective students.  Navigating the maze of federal …

financial aid

What Is A Last-Dollar Scholarship?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2023

A last dollar scholarship is a form of need-based financial aid. It’s designed to bridge the funding gap between the total cost of college and the financial aid you’ve received. If you’ve exhausted all available sources of funding but still need additional funds to cover your college costs, you may be able to get a …

financial aid

Top 3 Places People Get Stuck On FAFSA

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 1, 2023

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that all college students must submit to qualify for different types of federal student aid. The FAFSA form, while extremely important, is known to have some complexities. We hope to clear some of those questions up here. Your CSS Profile is Not the Same …

financial aid

State Grants for Tennessee College Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 31, 2023

If you’re going to college in Tennessee, the state has several grants, scholarships, and financial aid programs for students attending 4-year colleges and universities, 2-year colleges, technical schools, and others. What a way to help pay for college! Keep reading to see if you qualify and to find out where you can get more information …

financial aid

State Grants for South Dakota College Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 31, 2023

If you live in South Dakota and are planning to go to one of the state’s 22 colleges or universities, affording your education is probably at the top of your mind. Thankfully, South Dakota has a number of college grants and scholarships available to students that make attending your dream school affordable. We’ve outlined some …

financial aid

What to Expect When Student Loan Payments Resume

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 24, 2023

The student loan payment pause has come to an end, and federal student loans began accruing interest again on September 1, 2023. The student loan payment pause was put in place in March 2020 to offer temporary relief to student borrowers affected by the COVID pandemic. Only federal student loans held by the U.S. Department …

financial aid

State Grants for South Carolina College Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 20, 2023

Students are often worried about how they will be able to afford the expensive cost of tuition needed to attend college. However, state grants can help make earning a degree much more affordable. And the state of South Carolina actually offers quite a few scholarships and grants you may be eligible for. We cover them …

financial aid

7 Ways Transferring Colleges Can Affect Financial Aid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 26, 2023

Yes, transferring colleges can affect your financial aid in a few different ways. The exact way your financial aid will be affected will depend on a couple of different factors. The difference in cost between your old and new college is one such factor. The types and amount of financial aid that your new college …

financial aid

State Grants for Pennsylvania

By Hilary CairnsPublished on September 26, 2023

Did you know that Pennsylvania offers several state grants to students to help make college more affordable and accessible? We’ve outlined some of their programs, plus provided details on how you can find out more information and apply below. Pennsylvania State Grants 1. Pennsylvania State Grant The Pennsylvania State Grant is hosted by the Pennsylvania …

financial aid

State Grants for Oregon College Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 6, 2023

Oregon has a number of grants dedicated to students who are going to college! If you’re interested in applying, we’ve outlined some of the details and qualifications below plus provide some links to help you get additional information. Oregon State Grants 1. Oregon Opportunity Grant The Oregon Opportunity Grant, or OOG, is a state-funded grant …