Paying for Your College Education

Earning your degree is one of the most important investments that you will ever make. Financial aid programs available for undergraduate and graduate degree students — ranging from adult student loans to college scholarships for adults — can help make it possible for you to realize that investment. If you weren’t able to attend college after graduating high school, you can still receive financial aid as a non-traditional student!

Affordable cost makes learning more achievable for everyone.

The financial aid options available to students are designed to make earning your degree both affordable and accessible for those in challenging financial situations. In addition to helping you explore your student aid options and how to pay for an education, we will walk alongside you to develop the best possible path that meets your needs as a student and ultimately helps you achieve your goals.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid for adult students and graduate students is designed to help bridge the gap between costs (tuition, fees, books, etc.) and what you are able to pay for those costs. It is important to understand the difference between the types of financial aid, as well as research all available options to maximize your investment.

• Scholarships — Because scholarships are a type of aid that does not require repayment, you should explore the full range of scholarship opportunities for your degree program. Adult student scholarships may be offered directly by the college/university, or they may be offered through other venues, such as scholarship search engines. (Be sure to visit our list of recommended free scholarship search engines.)
• Grants — Similar to scholarships, grants are a type of aid that does not need to be repaid. Grants are typically offered by the government, both federal and state.
• Education Loans — Students may need to consider borrowing money from a lender to help pay for their education. Education loans are a type of aid that must be repaid and often come with considerable interest rates, therefore, they should be considered after exploring scholarship programs and grant opportunities.

Be sure to research options and available tuition assistance to receive the greatest value for your educational investment.

Stretching Your Investment Dollars

In addition to applying for financial assistance, students have access to a range of financial aid options that can help reduce college costs, depending on their financial needs.

Be sure to explore all of CCU’s Payment Options that can also contribute toward making your higher education experience affordable. Contact our financial aid office for more information about eligibility requirements, enrollment, and the application process.