Financial Aid and Scholarships Flashcards
7 cards from real CEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Financial Aid and Scholarships flashcards as text
A student's EFC on the FAFSA is $0. Which federal grant provides the maximum award to this student?
Answer: Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is the primary federal need-based grant, and an EFC of $0 qualifies a student for the maximum Pell award.
What is the primary purpose of the CSS Profile compared to the FAFSA?
Answer: It collects more detailed financial information for institutional aid decisions
The CSS Profile gathers more comprehensive financial data—including home equity and non-custodial parent information—to help colleges determine their own institutional aid awards.
Under the simplified needs test on the FAFSA, which asset is excluded from the calculation?
Answer: Small business assets for businesses with fewer than 100 employees
Small businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees are excluded from FAFSA asset reporting under the simplified needs test.
A parent owns a rental property worth $200,000. How does FAFSA treat this asset?
Answer: It is assessed at up to 5.64% as a parent asset
Investment real estate (excluding the primary home) is reported as a parent asset and assessed at no more than 5.64% in the federal aid formula.
What does 'verification' mean in the federal financial aid process?
Answer: The Department of Education or school checks FAFSA data accuracy against supporting documents
Verification is the process by which a college reviews and confirms the accuracy of FAFSA information using documents such as tax transcripts and W-2s.
Which of the following best describes a 'merit-based' scholarship?
Answer: Aid awarded based on academic, athletic, or other non-need criteria
Merit-based scholarships are awarded for achievements such as GPA, test scores, athletic talent, or leadership, independent of financial need.
A college's financial aid award letter shows $15,000 in 'grants,' $3,500 in 'subsidized loans,' and $2,000 in 'work-study.' What is the student's true gift aid total?
Answer: $15,000
Gift aid includes only grants and scholarships; loans must be repaid and work-study requires employment, so only the $15,000 in grants is free money.