How does financial aid work at Samford? Are there any special scholarships or grants that I should be aware of? Should I be looking into work-study possibilities or is their financial aid package usually comprehensive?
Samford University offers several types of financial aid, including institutional scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. For scholarships, Samford provides both merit-based and need-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are typically awarded based on your academic achievements, and you are automatically considered for most of them when you apply for admission.
As for need-based financial aid, you will need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and, based on the result of that (your SAI - Student Aid Index), Samford will determine your eligibility for need-based aid.
In addition to these forms of financial aid, Samford also offers a work-study program. The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time work opportunities for students with financial need, both on and off campus. The amount you earn cannot exceed your total Federal Work-Study award, and the amount you work is usually based on factors such as your schedule and academic workload.
Keep in mind that each of these aid sources may not fully cover the total cost of attendance, and they are often offered in a package that includes a combination of these types. This is why it's a great idea to use tools like Samford's net price calculator to get an estimated projection of your financial aid and out-of-pocket cost.
Remember that the financial aid process often requires you to be proactive in researching and applying for opportunities.
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