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How Can I Pay for College?

So you've found the college of your dreams, and now you have to figure out whether you and your family can afford it. Fortunately, most students at schools like Whitworth University are able to reduce the cost of tuition and set up a payment plan to make their dream a reality. It just takes some research and planning. We've broken down the process into four key steps.

  1. First things first, file your FAFSA or, if you're ineligible, the WASFA. This is your ticket to financial assistance that includes need-based grants (which you don't have to pay back), loans (which you do need to pay back), and eligibility for work study or student employment.
  2. Next, apply for scholarships and grants – money you don't have to repay. You may be eligible for a variety of types, including:
    • Scholarships based on your academics. Many private schools like Whitworth University provide academic scholarships to a large portion of students. Whitworth offers generous University Scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 per year that you don't even have to apply for – they are based on your academic achievement and personal background.
    • Other scholarships provided by universities. Universities offer a range of other scholarships to incoming students, and sometimes the criteria is as simple as visiting campus. Whitworth provides a $1,000 Visit Scholarship to incoming students who attend a qualifying campus visit program during their senior year, or the year before they transfer. Check if your university offers talent scholarships for activities you wish to participate in. At Whitworth, you can apply or audition for a Talent & Participation Scholarship if you plan to be involved in music, theatre, visual arts, journalism/media, forensics (speech and debate) or Young Life.
    • Outside scholarships. Scholarships from local, regional or national organizations can usually be stacked on top of university-provided scholarships and grants. Check what scholarships may be available from organizations you or your family are involved with, your church or denomination, or your parents' employers. More information on outside scholarships and where to find them is available here.
    • Residency-based scholarships. Your state may have financial aid programs available. Washington state has the College Bound Scholarship Program, which can be applied toward tuition at a state university or eligible private university, like Whitworth. College Bound Scholarship participants may also be eligible for the Whitworth Bound Promise, which covers full tuition for students who meet GPA requirements.
      If you're from certain urban areas in the Northwest or Midwest and are looking to attend a faith-based school, check out the Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative. Each year, Whitworth provides full-tuition/full-need scholarships to several students from Spokane and Seattle-Tacoma who show promise as emerging leaders.
  3. Consider other sources of money, such as:
    • A job. Many students are eligible to apply for on- or off-campus jobs, and many of them gain valuable skills that apply to their field of study and future careers. At Whitworth, working just 12 hours per week during the school year allows students to earn over $4,000. The Whitworth Career Services Office is happy to help students find a part-time job or summer job.
    • Loans. This is money you will have to pay back. Whether through the U.S. Department of Education or a private lender, loans cover the remaining financial gaps for many students. Parents may also be eligible to take out loans through the Department of Education or a private lender, pending a credit check.
  4. Once you add up your resources from scholarships, grants, loans, employment and other sources like a college savings account, it's time to figure out how to pay for the remaining cost. Here are some things to keep in mind:
    • Many universities such as Whitworth offer payment plans to help you spread the cost over the course of the entire year.
    • Graduating on time will save you money, so think ahead to the next four years. When you're weighing your college choices, consider which will offer availability in your desired major and personalized advising. Did you know that Whitworth offers a four-year graduation guarantee?
    • Be aware of the costs of loans in the future. As you prepare to graduate from college, be sure to talk with a financial aid counselor or financial advisor to explore loan repayment programs that allow you to get ahead in life and your career while paying off debt.

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