Value and Affordability
Ask yourself this important question: What kind of education will I get for the money I pay?
- Is studying with professors who are biblically minded, involved in their local churches and committed to their students important to you?
- Are you looking for excellence in academics in preparation for graduate study and your career? Is an accredited, reputable degree important?
- Is residence life characterized by Christian leadership, individual attention and a friendly community a concept you value?
The kind of education is important. Make sure you're not settling for something you don't value. Read why one of our current students chose private vs. public education.
The cost of the education is also important. Check out the many financial aid opportunities available. A Union education may be much lower for you than you think.
Financing your higher education requires a set of strategies. Here are some hints others have found valuable:
Pray about your decision.
Many students and parents have looked to God for guidance in this important life decision and seen "the impossible" gradually become "the reality."
Start early.
How early? It's never too early for children, parents and grandparents to contribute to a college account. Research the most recent information on 529 plans. Even young children can be encouraged to save.
Take Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
If you're still in high school, take the AP exams at the end of the year. Those often translate into college credits. Also look into CLEP and Dantes exams before planning your college freshmen class schedule. Check out the tests accepted by Union, and earn college credit if you pass.
Apply for scholarships.
Union has a number of significant scholarships available to incoming freshmen, a fact that attracts hundreds of top scholars each year. But don't stop there: students should apply through their churches, employers, organizations and other external sources throughout their junior and senior years. Get more information here.
Fill out the FAFSA.
Even if you don't think you qualify for assistance or don't plan on utilizing loans, the FAFSA is important for many scholarships, grants and student employment opportunities. You can file your FAFSA starting in October of your senior year.
Last-minute dollars.
Put those graduation gifts to work - save them for your upcoming college expenses. While you're at it, use those valuable summer months before college to earn some dollars. You'll be glad you did. In addition, many late deadline scholarships are still possible in the summer. Keep applying!
Plan ways to economize as a college student.
Upperclassmen have learned to economize in a variety of areas: textbooks, eating out, gas and entertainment. Union makes smart budgeting easy with on-campus dining, kitchens in the student apartments and a wide variety of free or discounted on-campus concerts, plays, sporting events and movies. When you do make purchases, use cash or a debit card instead of a credit card. Don't risk accumulating credit card debt while you are a student.
Ask about payment plans.
Union offers payment plans to allow for payment month-by-month instead of in lump sums at the beginning of the semesters. This might be right for your family budget. Parents and students can contribute to the monthly payments.
Get a job.
Students who work through college can maximize their efforts by seeking out a job that offers tuition reimbursement. Target, Home Depot, Starbucks and Verizon Wireless all have tuition assistance programs. While some offer benefits to fulltime employees only, others, such as UPS, include part-time workers as well.
Claim any tax credits.
Tuition and college expenses may be tax deductible, and you or your parents might qualify for other tax credits, including the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
Plan for next year.
Keep your grades up and check out scholarship opportunities for upperclassmen at Union and through external sources. Inquire about on-campus jobs or summer job opportunities.