College Financial Aid for Legal and Criminal Justice School
Earn money while you go to school through a college financial aid work study program.
If you want to get a college degree but are wondering how to finance your education, you should know that there are more than just grants and loans out there. There's also a Federal Work Study (FWS) Program that can help you pay for college. This form of college financial aid supplements your loans, so reduces the amount of money you'll need to repay after you graduate.
What are Work Study Programs?
Federal Work-Study allocations are given to eligible institutions for the purpose of providing part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students while they go to school.
- The Federal Work Study Program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to help students supplement their other college financial aid.
- Students can receive FWS funds at many colleges and universities.
- Participating institutions have a lot of flexibility in determining the amount of FWS awards to provide to their students.
- The need for college financial aid is determined by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) using a standard formula to evaluate the financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine the expected family contribution (EFC).
- The EFC is the sum of a percentage of net income (after subtracting allowances for basic living expenses) and a percentage of net assets.
- Students can get college financial aid in the form of work study jobs with the school itself; a federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit company.
Filling Out the FAFSA
To fill out the FAFSA, you will need the following information and documents:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your driver's license (if any)
- Your W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
- Your (and, if you're married, your spouse's) most recent Federal Income Tax Return
- Your Parents' Federal Income Tax return (if you are a dependent student)
- Your untaxed income records
- Your current bank statements
- Your current business and investment information
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Before submitting your application, make sure to verify that all information is correct and nothing is missing. If you qualify, the money you make from your work study program will help you finance your criminal justice or paralegal education. And remember: you can often secure college financial aid even if you do your criminal justice or paralegal degree online.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Student and Financial Aid Resources
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Undergraduate Students
Scholarships: Undergraduates get thousands of scholarships each year. Apply now!
Stafford Loans: With low fees and good payback terms, Stafford loans are the most common student loan.
Private Loans: Private loans are also very common. To reap the maximum benefits, parents and undergraduates can both apply.
Graduate Students
Scholarships: Professional associations, schools and the federal government offer many graduate financial aid scholarships. If you're going to grad school, find out more.
Stafford Loans: Stafford loans are federally supported and offer easy terms to qualified individuals.
Grad PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS Loans are especially designed for grad students.
Private Loans: Concerned about accruing more credit card debt by returning to school? These loans will ease your financial burden.