Could Finishing Your Degree Be More Affordable Than You Think?

A Q&A with Bryan Taylor, director of Student Financial Services

Financial aid can feel confusing, especially for students who have been away from college for several years or used aid in the past. Bryan Taylor, director of Student Financial Services at FPU, answers common questions from adult learners and explains why students should explore their options before counting themselves out.

Can Degree Completion students apply for financial aid?

Many Degree Completion students qualify for some form of financial aid.

Students with greater financial need may qualify for the Pell Grant or Cal Grant. Scholarships and grants are considered gift aid, which means students do not have to repay them.

Many students may also qualify for federal loans. Because loans must be repaid, students should understand how much they are borrowing and what repayment may look like after completing their program.

The first step in determining eligibility is usually completing the FAFSA.

What is the FAFSA and why is it important?

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. When students complete it, their information is processed through a federal formula that determines their Student Aid Index.

FPU uses that index number to help determine the student’s financial need and aid eligibility. Generally, the lower the number, the higher the student’s demonstrated need.

Without that information, we cannot award federal aid and often cannot award state aid. Students who cannot complete the FAFSA but may qualify for California state aid can complete the California Dream Act Application.

Students need to complete the appropriate application each year because their circumstances and eligibility can change.

What is the first thing an adult learner should do if they are worried about paying for school?

Start by completing the FAFSA or, when appropriate, the California Dream Act Application.

Sometimes students assume they will not qualify for anything, but there is often some form of federal aid available. Once FPU prepares their financial aid offer, I encourage them to meet with their Student Financial Services advisor. Together, they can review the aid offered and discuss any remaining costs.

What if someone has been out of school for years or used financial aid in the past?

They may still be eligible for aid.

There are lifetime limits for Pell Grants and Cal Grants, as well as borrowing limits for student loans. However, students should not assume their eligibility has expired.

We can help students review how much aid they have already used and what may remain available. Federal aid information is available through the National Student Loan Data System, while California state aid information may be available through WebGrants.

It is always worth contacting our office to ask.

What costs should students consider beyond tuition?

Students should think about tuition, fees, books, supplies, technology, food, housing, transportation and other personal expenses.

Financial aid is based on an estimated cost of attendance, not only on tuition charges. If a student’s aid exceeds their direct tuition and fee charges, they may receive the remaining funds as a credit disbursement to help cover other education-related costs.

A Student Financial Services advisor can provide an estimated cost calculation that shows the student’s potential charges, financial aid and remaining payments.

Are payment plans or other resources available?

Yes. If financial aid does not cover the full balance, the remaining amount may be divided through FPU’s monthly payment plan. Charges must be paid by the end of the term, but they do not always have to be paid in one lump sum.

I also encourage students to look for assistance in every possible place. Some employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement. Veterans may be eligible for education benefits. Churches, service clubs, banks and other community organizations may also offer scholarships or grants.

What financial aid questions do adult learners ask most often?

Students often ask whether there are additional grants or scholarships they can apply for. They also ask whether they should make loan payments while they are still in school and whether more assistance may be available for single parents, students with limited income or families with more than one child attending college.

When possible, we encourage students to borrow only what they need. Borrowing less can help reduce the amount of interest they pay over time. Every student’s situation is different. If finances are especially tight, students should talk openly with their Student Financial Services advisor. We may be able to review special circumstances or identify additional options.

Students do not need to know exactly what to ask before reaching out. We can help them begin the conversation.

What would you say to someone who thinks they cannot afford to finish their degree?

Do not count yourself out before learning what options may be available.

A bachelor’s degree is an investment, so students should think carefully about the cost and how the degree connects to their long-term goals. They should consider what they want to do, who they want to become and how completing their degree may help them move toward that future.

For some students, finishing their degree may also set an example for their children and open the door for others in their family to pursue their own educational goals.

What is the best way for a Degree Completion student to get help?

Students should contact their Student Financial Services advisor. If they do not know who their advisor is, they can email sfs@fresno.edu.

It helps to complete the FAFSA first and bring any questions about tuition, financial aid, previous aid use or payment options.

Students should reach out as early as possible. Advisors may become more heavily booked as the semester approaches, and an early conversation gives students more time to understand their options and make a plan.

You May Have More Options Than You Think

Returning to school can feel like a major financial decision, especially when work, family and other responsibilities are already part of the picture.

Understanding your financial aid options can help you move forward with greater confidence. Complete the FAFSA, connect with Student Financial Services and ask questions that may help make what once seemed out of reach feel achievable.