High school seniors who plan to start college this fall are narrowing their choices and taking the next step to prepare for college—completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA. The process determines how much a family might be expected to contribute toward their student’s college costs.
To help families budget, Justin G. Roy, Georgian Court University dean of admissions, has announced that all new students who begin their studies at GCU in the Fall 2016 semester will have their institutional financial aid award guaranteed for at least their first two years. The guaranteed award is contingent on a student meeting the criteria for institutional awards set forth in the academic catalog as well as meeting all applicable federal and state deadlines.
“Affordability is on the forefront of every student’s mind. This announcement is another example of GCU’s commitment to making its educational program available to all qualified students,” says Dean Roy. “Our primary motive is to help students navigate through the financial aid process in order to afford tuition at a private university and obtain the best education possible despite economic conditions.”
Through a combination of financial aid packaging, pursuit of scholarship and grant opportunities, and on-campus work-study jobs, GCU works to make its educational program available to all qualified students, regardless of financial need. Last year, 99 percent of all first-year Georgian Court University students received some form of financial aid, including more than $12 million in GCU scholarships and grants, and other funding from government and private sources.
Making the Right Choice
A college education is an important investment in the future. When considering the cost of a college education, you should also consider the value of that education.
Georgian Court, which is #21 on Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck list of colleges and ranked 25th among Money magazine’s Top 50 Colleges That Add the Most Value, is one of the most affordable private universities in New Jersey.
Dean Roy adds that a campus visit is key for any college search.
“Touring the campus, meeting the faculty, and asking questions of current students is the best way to narrow your college search,” he says.
Interested students can sign up for Georgian Court’s next Open House at https://georgian.edu/event/open-house/.