financial aid
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GET HELP PAYING FOR COLLEGE
K-State's Office of Student Financial Assistance distributes more than $165 million annually in federal, state, university, and private aid.
Applying for and receiving financial aid is a complex process. It takes time, patience, and effort to understand and meet deadlines. Planning ahead and following the necessary steps in the application process will get your educational investment off to a successful start.
It's worth the effort. Seven out of 10 K-Staters receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work study.
Scholarships
K-State awarded more than $9 million in scholarships last year. Approximately 90 percent of all scholarships at the university are awarded on the basis of merit. The remaining awards are based on a combination of financial need and achievement in academic areas, activities, or sports.
If you score well on the PSAT or ACT and are a high achiever in high school, you may be invited to apply or your counselor may nominate you for K-State's most prestigious scholarship awards. Apply by November 1.
Many other scholarships with other criteria are also available, so be sure to fill out the scholarship application.
See K-State's premier scholarships
See K-State's transfer student scholarships
Scholarship search
K-State links to several national scholarship search services that match your abilities and accomplishments with scholarships from around the country.
See our recommended scholarship search services
Grants, jobs, and loans
To apply for grants, jobs, and loans, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Want the specifics on all the various types of grants, jobs, and loans—including the amounts you might receive? Our quick guide gives you the important facts at a glance.
Grants
Grants, which are available to students who meet financial need requirements, are funds that do not have to be repaid.
The most common grants are Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which assist qualified undergraduate students who would be unable to attend college without aid, and Pell Grants, which range from $400 to $4,310 per academic year.
K-State will always consider your eligibility for grants before any loan programs.
Jobs
Many students look to part-time employment through the work-study program to help supplement their money from home and their other financial assistance. Working part-time while in college not only helps pay the bills, but also enhances your resume for that first job after college.
K-State employs more than 7,000 students, who together earn more than $14 million annually. You'll earn $1,600 to $3,200 a year by working 10 to 20 hours a week on campus.
A job listing board, located in the K-State Student Union, can help you locate jobs all over campus.
Loans
Loans let you borrow money for college at low interest rates, and most loans don't require you to begin making payments until after you finish college. If you qualify, you may be assisted with a Perkins Loan, which doesn't accumulate interest while you are in college. Interest at five percent begins nine months after you graduate or are no longer a half-time student.
Federal legislation makes it possible for every student to be eligible for either a Federal Unsubsidized or Subsidized Stafford Loan. Freshmen may receive up to $3,500 in Stafford Loan funds during their first year in college, while sophomores may receive up to $4,500 per year, and juniors and seniors may receive up to $5,500 per year.
Eligibility for the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not based on financial need, but "need" is a factor used to determine eligibility for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. Interest accrues while you are in school if you borrow under the unsubsidized loan program, but not under the subsidized loan program.
You may expect to begin repaying your Stafford Loan six months after you graduate or are no longer a half-time student. The interest rate on all Federal Stafford Loans is 6.8 percent.
Federal regulations allow for your total cost of attending college to be covered by some form of financial assistance. If after receiving your financial aid awards you find that you still need money, your parents may borrow under a Federal Parent PLUS Loan.
Application priority dates
What to submit |
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November 1 |
Submit K-State's scholarship application for premier scholarships such as the Putnam, Foundation, Purple and White, Honors, Legacy, Leadership, Medallion, Achievement, and Activity scholarships. |
February 1 |
Submit K-State's scholarship application for college and department scholarships. |
March 1 |
Submit your completed FAFSA for all forms of federal assistance for the following fall and spring semesters. This aid includes loans, grants, and work-study. If you apply after this date, your chances for receiving all types of financial aid may be reduced. |
Application process
As you can see from the variety of financial aid programs, college can be very affordable. While current regulations allow for all of your educational costs to be covered, you must carefully complete the entire FAFSA to take advantage of all the available assistance.
Every student should apply for federal financial assistance at least once. You should never assume, without going through the application process, that you won't qualify.
1. Apply for admission.
Begin your application process by applying for admission to K-State. You must be admitted before you are fully eligible for scholarship consideration.
As you apply for admission, you should start the scholarship application process by completing K-State's scholarship application. This application is available online from your high school counselor, or from the K-State Office of Student Financial Assistance.
2. Apply for scholarships.
To be considered for all forms of federal financial assistance for the following fall and spring semesters, you should submit your completed FAFSA by our application priority deadline of March 1. If you apply after this date, your chances for receiving all types of financial aid may be reduced.
3. Fill out the FAFSA.
Remember to list K-State as a school where you wish to have your FAFSA information sent. You'll need K-State's federal school code: 001928.
4. Get a Student Aid Report (SAR).
After the federal processor reviews your FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will e-mail a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). Please review it for accuracy.
Questions about financial aid at K-State?
Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance