Planning for Four Years

Four Year Planning
Choosing a college requires looking at the entire four-year plan for your family. It is not enough to just “get to” JCU. We want to help you graduate and look at the four-year path to your degree. A lot of unexpected changes can happen, so treating the investment in John Carroll as part of a detailed strategy will help you immensely. Some things to consider follow here.

Tuition Planning
Tuition and room and board rates change over time. They may go up each year. However, we have had some programs in the few years that have either frozen rates or made modest increases sensitive to your planning for each year's costs. In considering which school to attend, you should look at the four-year costs with us and other schools. 

Saving for College
College is an investment in your future. Saving early is a way to maximize your options when you are ready to finance a college education. Contrary to some to the belief that families are penalized for savings, the federal formula provides an allowance for your savings and assets and doesn’t expect all your savings to go toward your child. The bottom line is: The more money you save, the more options you'll have. To encourage family savings, JCU has partnered with SAGE Scholars. This program allows families to earn Tuition Rewards by saving for college with a variety of financial partners. To learn more about this program visit www.tuitionrewards.com.

Multiple Siblings
You may start JCU with only one child in college, but if in future years you will have two attending college (let alone two at JCU), please contact the financial aid office. Know that your financial aid award and eligibility may change considerably with two in college vs. one – your family income does not change but your costs, ability to contribute and expenses will!

Life Changes
Your financial aid forms are a snapshot and only capture one point in time in your financial life. If you face changes in medical expenses, parental income, or other key income/expenses, be sure to contact us through the appeals process.

Returning Student Scholarships and Awards
Various departments at JCU award scholarships to returning students once they declare a major in that field.  There are distinct ways that your financial aid award can improve in future years different than the aid programs you are considered for as an incoming student.

Summer Earnings
Don’t forget the earning potential of students through the summers of the undergraduate years. Many students may not have held a job throughout high school. But summer earnings of a student are an important contribution toward tuition for the upcoming year. Or at the least, summer earnings can be set aside to help with books, supplies, and outside spending costs for most students.