Yes. It is true that independent colleges have higher tuition costs than do public colleges. Tuition averages approximately $20,699. However, 90% of independent college students receive some form of financial aid. The average financial aid package is $19,000, comprised of about $12,000 in grants and scholarships and $9,000 in loans. As you can see, financial aid goes a long way in meeting tuition costs at these schools.

Once you are accepted for admission, your financial aid package will be formulated based upon your ability to pay and upon academic merit. If you don't apply for financial aid, you will never know if you can afford to attend an independent college or university.

Ask for advice at the financial aid office of the college you are likely to attend. Some colleges have enough student aid money to help with child care; others do not. It is legal for student aid to help pay for child care, but there might not be enough money to do this. You might also be eligible for assistance from other offices or agencies. Check to see if the college has an office that serves the needs of students with children. That office can help you seek child care.

It is legal for student aid to be increased to purchase a computer and take care of monthly expenses like an Internet connection. Unfortunately, not all colleges have enough student aid money available to help you with these costs. Ask for information at the financial aid office of the college you might attend.

It is legal for student aid to be increased to cover the costs associated with your disability but unfortunately not all colleges have enough student aid money to help you with these costs. Ask for advice at the financial aid office of the college you might attend. Also check to see if the college has an office that serves disabled students. That office might be able to give you advice on other resources.

Yes. This is important information. The financial aid office might think you have extra money because you work. (The formula looks at your earnings as well as your parents' finances.) Tell the financial aid office right away that your income supports your family. The staff in the office might be able to change your information under these special conditions and make you eligible for more assistance. Talk to someone right away.

Yes, but usually there are limited funds available for summer enrollment periods. Most students use their aid eligibility during the regular academic year (fall through spring) and have little or no remaining eligibility for the summer. Check with the financial aid office about information on summer aid and deadlines.

You may be eligible for some forms of financial aid. You won't be eligible for Federal Pell Grant or SEOG funds since you already have one bachelor's degree and your eligibility for loans may be limited by any outstanding educational loans that you borrowed earlier.

You may be eligible for a limited amount of federal loans, and possibly some aid from the school, while enrolled in courses that are prerequisites or preparatory for enrollment in a graduate or professional degree program. Check with your school to clarify your eligibility.

It depends on the financial aid program, but in all cases, there are limitations. Some programs have limitations based on terms or units enrolled, but all financial aid is subject to a "Satisfactory Academic Progress" policy developed by each campus. While these policies differ from campus to campus, they generally require that you make steady progress toward your educational degree or certificate given the number of units you attempt each term. Consult with financial aid office staff or publications to learn about a specific campus' or program's policy.

While some do send them, there are some that may not. It is always your responsibility to make sure that you obtain and properly complete the necessary applications.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, should be available from high school counselors or from any college financial aid office. But you don't have to wait for the college to send you the application. You can begin to review the required documents and the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Also, many colleges and universities, particularly independent (private) institutions, have additional or alternative applications to be completed. It is always a good idea to consult with financial aid office staff or publications of the college or university to make sure that you have completed all necessary financial aid application materials.

Follow the same rule when applying for scholarships. Some institutions establish scholarship eligibility using information from admissions applications, while others have separate scholarship applications. Contact financial aid office staff or consult publications to make sure that you have completed all necessary scholarship application materials.

While filing a FAFSA is not required to receive all scholarships, there are scholarships that are awarded based, in part, on you and your family's financial circumstances. In addition, the sizes of some scholarships are dependent upon the family financial circumstances. Thus, filing a FAFSA can only expand your eligibility for scholarships.

The parent that you lived with for the most part of the past year should provide information on the FAFSA. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you didn't live with either parent, or lived equally with each parent, information must be provided for the parent who provided you with the most support, either financially or in the form of food, housing, clothes, etc.

You will need to contact the financial aid office and provide additional information about the change in your family's financial circumstances so that they can consider making an adjustment.

Fill out the FAFSA according to the instructions, which will reflect the higher income when you were working full time. Once your FAFSA has been processed, contact the financial aid office to advise them about your anticipated change in income. They will give you information about what is required to make any possible adjustments to your aid eligibility and awards.

It is important to correct any errors that you might have made on your FAFSA. Within about 4 weeks of filing your FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA processor (or an email notification within 72 hours if you file completely electronically). This document will list all of the information you provided on the FAFSA and will allow you to make any corrections to that information. Review all the information listed on the SAR, make any necessary corrections, and return the form to the processor. Alternatively, you may submit your corrections online through Corrections on the Web. Making corrections promptly will allow your financial aid office to provide you with an accurate estimate of your aid eligibility as quickly as possible. Revisions to FAFSA information may result in changes to your eligibility for aid but you have a responsibility to ensure that the information you report is accurate.

If you are a dependent student your parents' information must be included on the FAFSA or you cannot be considered for student financial aid. Filing a FAFSA may result in a request for a copy of your parents' tax return to verify income information. If the required tax return is not submitted, you may not be able to receive financial aid.