I've applied to several schools, and I honestly think I'd be happy at any of them. But I'm sure that the amount of financial aid they offer me will be a major factor as I'm making my final choice. I know that aid packages can include work-study, loans, grants and scholarships. What should I be thinking about as I compare the financial aid awards from different schools?

Colleges are very different from each other, and those differences extend far beyond their "price tag." Take time to visit each school that you're seriously considering so that you know each one well. Try to narrow your choices to six schools or fewer. Then apply for financial aid at each school you continue to be serious about.

When you have all the financial aid packages in hand, it's time to compare numbers. Make a chart, writing down the total price of each school and breaking this down by the cost of tuition, room, board, fees, and an estimated cost of what your books, personal expenses and transportation will cost. Then, list the amount of financial aid you will receive from any source: grants from the college or the government, loans and any scholarships you may have received. You'll notice that some colleges have a higher tuition, but they might also offer more grant money from the school. Some schools might ask for a smaller contribution from your family, but may require you to take out a little more in loans or to have a work-study job.

Beyond the dollar figure, there are other factors to consider. One of the schools may cost you a bit more, but have more value to you because of the location or the majors offered. And once you've visited your top choices, perhaps you will decide that you love the chapel at one college, or the culture of the campus at another. Don't settle for the cheapest price or the so-called "best deal." Carefully consider both the financial realities and your preferences as you make your final, prayerful decision.

My dad died recently. Not only was he the major wage earner in our family, but he was also very sick for many years, so my family has a lot of medical bills for his care. I've heard that sometimes schools evaluate financial aid applications more closely when a student has "special circumstances" like mine. Is that true? Do colleges really offer more aid to students like me? Would it be enough to make a real difference?

I'm very sorry that you lost your father. The circumstances you describe are "special" indeed. Do talk with the people in the financial aid office about your situation. Here's why. First, they will work with you to be sure that the FAFSA form you have filed reflects your current situation. If your father died after the form was filed, they will help you change your application. It will be important that financial aid officials consider your mom's income, instead of what both of your parents earned. This makes a tremendous difference in the amount that can be awarded. They are also able to adjust the results of your FAFSA form to allow for significant medical expenses like you mentioned. Given your specific situation, there are probably other adjustments that can be made to your financial package.

I strongly urge you to talk with the financial aid people at the school you plan to attend. It should make a definite difference in your ability to afford college.

The pastor at my church says Scripture teaches that we shouldn't go into debt. He says we are to "owe no one anything except to love one another." I believe that God is calling me to a Christian college, but there's no way my family will be able to pay the Expected Family Contribution figure I saw on my Student Aid Report. Is it really wrong to take out loans for college?

Many Christian financial advisors make exceptions to the "no-borrowing" principle when it comes to getting a loan to buy a home or start a business. If we think of your education in business terms, there is a significant return on the investment you would make by taking out loans for college. Let me explain.

There is a widening gap between the earnings of a high school graduate compared to those of a college graduate. According to the Census Bureau, a college graduate earns about $18,000 more than a high school graduate each year. The projected average lifetime earnings of a family headed by a college graduate are more than $1,000,000 higher than those of a family headed by a high school graduate. The higher level of earning from a college education and the higher level of learning in the context of a Christian college can both contribute significantly to your work in God's kingdom over your lifetime.

It's always wise to listen to your pastor and to make careful decisions about borrowing money. But the exceptions described above may be helpful to you as you make decisions about college loans. As part of your thinking process, ask a financial aid officer about what would be a reasonable amount of money to borrow and what payment plan would best work for you. I hope you'll be able to resolve this issue in your own heart and mind. I also hope you'll find a way to attend a Christian college—especially if you believe God is calling you there.

My parents have encouraged me to apply for scholarships. But it seems like a lot of work, and between maintaining my grades and applying for colleges, I just don't feel like I have any time to fill out scholarship applications. Is it really worth it?

Students and financial aid officers all tell me it's very much worth the effort to apply for those scholarships. Here's a great quote from one of my colleagues: "Those who don't apply assure themselves of getting nothing."

Ask your guidance counselor for a list of scholarships you should apply for. Then you can fill out application forms while you watch a movie or a ball game on TV. There are also many online opportunities. In fact, students tell me that applying online is often a much more efficient way to go.

Obviously, not every scholarship application will pay off. But don't give up. Your largest scholarship award could be the next one you apply for!

One more thing: Keep applying for scholarships, even after you're in college. I know a college student who received a hefty scholarship to apply toward his senior year.

My financial aid package includes a work-study job. I've never had a job before, and I'm worried that working might make my grades slip. Do I really have to get a job, or can the financial aid office take this out of my financial aid package?

The official answer to your question is "yes"; the work-study job can be taken out of your package. However, a job in college can be a really good thing. Working adds some structure to your college life and requires you to manage your time more carefully. Research shows that most students, except those who really struggle academically, actually do very well working a part-time job of less than 20 hours.

Working on campus has many other benefits. Unlike an off-campus job, a work-study job comes with flexible hours that will fit nicely around your class schedule. You also get to know more people and build significant relationships with the students and staff you work with.

Perhaps you can start with just a few hours a week and see how that works out. Just don't make too quick a decision to give up that job on campus entirely—you may look back on it as one of the highlights of your college experience.

On my financial aid package, there's an estimated figure for books, supplies and travel. How can I figure out how much these things will really cost?

That estimated figure is a good place to begin. It's based on the average experience of students at your college. And I do stress "average," because spending habits obviously vary from student to student. For example, one student saved $1,500 for her personal expenses (not counting textbooks) and spent it all in the first semester! Other students find that college is a good time to turn over a new leaf and become more frugal and careful with their money. They take advantage of free on-campus activities and find inexpensive ways to have fun with their friends. Talk to a few college students about how they manage to live on a budget; look especially at those wise spending and saving habits you feel you can imitate. And be encouraged. Many students stay within their projected budgets for personal expenses and have a lot of fun at college. You can be one of them!

My parents started saving for my education when I was a baby and now my college fund is looking pretty good. But there's a problem: Mom and Dad won't let me touch it unless I go to a school they approve of. The thing is, I have my heart set on a school that's not on their very short list. If I don't go to a school of their choosing, I simply can't have the money. What should I do?

Keep talking to your parents. Good communication is extremely important during this time of decision-making and transition. You may want to schedule specific times when you can sit down with both of your parents and talk through this issue together.

Ask them why the school you like isn't on their "very short list." Perhaps they don't know enough about the college to make a fair judgment about it. You should be prepared to answer the same question from them. Why aren't their listed schools on your radar screen? Be ready with some solid reasons about why you think the college of your choice should be on their list, and why you think it would be a good place for you.

Encourage them to visit the school you like. Also be willing to visit schools that are on their list. Pray—with your parents, if they're open to it—that God will use your discussions and visits to reveal the best school for you.

If you can't agree, you'll have to decide whether or not you're willing to work hard to pay for the school of your choice without your parents' help. Perhaps your parents will change their minds if they see you thrive in a place they weren't so sure about. Whatever you and your parents decide, go through the process of deciding without alienating each other. Respect them and their opinions.

Whether your parents pay or you do, take responsibility for your choice and make the most of your college experience.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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