Financial Aid Topics

Q: How can our family afford a private college like King?

A: At King, we are committed to providing students with a quality, affordable, private education. We work with families of all income levels and will meet one-on-one with your family to put together a financial aid package that meets your student’s educational needs. We’ll help you and your student evaluate scholarship availability and estimate state and federal aid so your family can get a handle on costs early in the process. Each year, we award more than $19 million in scholarships, grants, loans, and student campus employment. Ninety-eight percent of our students receive assistance with an average annual award of $15,045.

Q: How is financial aid determined?

A: Financial need is defined as the total cost of attendance (COA=room & board, tuition & fees, books, travel, and personal expenses) minus the expected family contribution (EFC), which is determined by the data submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Q: How is my family contribution determined?

A: A federal formula calculates your ability to contribute based on your family’s income, assets, number of members, number in college, and other factors. The federal formula then determines your expected family contribution (EFC). EFC formula worksheets are available at www.studentaid.ed.gov, click on publications.

Q: When should we apply for financial aid?

A: Applications for aid must be made after January 1 preceding the fall term of enrollment. A priority date of March 1 is set to ensure that everyone who applies will be considered for all possible financial aid sources. For Tennessee residents, the priority date is February 15 to ensure application for the Tennessee Student Assistance Award.

Q: When should my student start applying for scholarships?

A: Your student’s junior year is a good time to start exploring scholarship opportunities. High school guidance counselors can provide more information and help your student find local scholarships. Start checking with civic organizations. Ask employers if scholarships or matching programs are available for students. Plan for deadlines. During your student’s senior year, make sure he or she has submitted all materials such as the application and references.

Have more questions? Need assistance with forms? We’re here to help! Click here to visit the Financial Aid Office web page. Or, contact us at:

Toll-free - 1.800.362.0014

Local - 423.652.4725

E-mail - financialaid@king.edu.

College Preparation Topics:

Q: My student is just starting to think about college. What can I do to help him/her understand more about the college admissions process?

A: Applying for college admissions can be overwhelming. By starting to plan and prepare now, you and your student are taking the first steps toward success. Here are a few tips to help you and your student get started:

• “Get the big picture.” By learning as much as possible about college and financial aid now, you and your student will have a better understanding of the steps to take when applying to college down the road.
• Familiarize yourself with college entrance requirements. Understanding requirements now will help as your student selects high school courses that are required for college admission.
• Talk to your student. Discuss his or her reasons for going to college. Consider goals and opportunities. Talk about how their choices today affect college and career goals in the future.
• Encourage involvement. Encourage your student to do something he or she enjoys, such as playing a sport or musical instrument, volunteering, interning, or working in an interesting field. Remember, the level of accomplishment and involvement is more important than the number of activities.
• Ask about dates for the PSAT and ACT-PLAN tests. The ACT-PLAN is typically taken in the fall of the sophomore year. The PSAT is usually taken during the junior year. You want to make sure your student has registered and prepared for these tests. Visit www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org/plan for more information.

Q: When should my student take the PSAT/NMSQT?

A: PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives your student a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. This test measures your student’s critical reading skills, math problem solving skills, and writing skills. Your student should definitely take the PSAT/NMSQT in his or her junior year. Your student may benefit from taking it during your sophomore year.

Q: What is the SAT and ACT?

A: The Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, measures how well your student will apply what she has learned in high school to college-level problems. It is a three-hour test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning skills your student has developed over time and skills she needs to be successful in college.

The American College Test, or the ACT, assesses your student’s general educational development and your student’s ability to complete college-level work. The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Your student may want to consider taking the ACT more than once. ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once 55% increased their composite score on the retest.

NOTE: King College accepts students who have taken either exam.

Q: When should my student take these entrance exams?

A: Your student can start taking entrance exams for practice as early as his/her sophomore year. Or, he can wait until his junior year when more material has been covered in school. Be sure the tests have been taken by end of the junior year to allow time for retesting, if needed.

Q: How can I help my student prepare for ACT and SAT?

A: Purchasing study books, using computer software, or doing practice tests may help improve scores, and students may feel more confident during the tests. Make sure time spent for studying for tests is balanced with other studies and co-curricular involvements.

Q: When should my student and I start visiting colleges?

A: It is never too early to start exploring colleges. A good way to start is by attending college fairs in your area. Pick up brochures and explore web sites. Request information, catalogues, and financial aid information from the colleges that are of interest. Then, you and your student can brainstorm a list of college characteristics that are important (location, size, etc.) and develop a preliminary list of colleges based on desired college characteristics. Start visiting colleges during his student’s junior year. When you and your student visit, take extended campus tours of ‘top choice’ schools. Be sure to sit in on classes. Visit with other students. See surrounding areas. Consider revisiting some of your student’s top choices. Click here for more information on visiting King.

Q: What can I do to help my student in the college application process?

A: Let your student take a leadership role in contacting offices, asking questions, and completing forms, but help keep an eye on deadlines and responsibilities. Be available to proofread essays and give constructive criticisms on drafts of her application essays.

Here a few other steps your student will need to complete:

• Make final preparation of portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, and other requirements for admissions or scholarships
• Submit application materials. Keep copies of all applications and essays. Watch for deadlines.
• Send final transcripts to the school(s) where she has applied.
• Arrange for recommendation letters. Ask teachers, counselors, coaches, and other mentors to write recommendation letters. Give them a stamped, addressed envelope to mail letters. Be sure to allow time for letters to be written and mailed.

Q: My student has been accepted to King College. What should we do now?

A: Congratulations! Your student is on her way to arriving at success. She will receive an Acceptance Kit in the mail. It contains all the forms your student will need to complete. Complete the forms and return them with a deposit ($250 for residents or $200 for commuters). The deposit guarantees your student’s place in the incoming class, a laptop computer and residence hall room! Your student should plan to attend an Access King Day, a special event filled with sessions to help her hit the ground running when she arrives on campus. More information about Access King Days will be mailed.

Click here for more information about Access King Days.

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