Don't Sweat the Finances – 93% of IBC Students Receive Financial Aid

If one of your excuses not to apply to IBC is that you think you can’t afford it, cross that off the list now! Almost all of our students – 93% - receive some form of financial aid, whether it’s scholarships, grants, loans or work study. The best part? We are here to help you figure out the best way to finance your education.  And even better, our financial aid department is here to assist you with completing all paperwork during your appointment. If you don’t want to take complicated paperwork home to decipher and sign, you won’t have to. Any paper you do sign, you’ll know what it’s for and what it means.

When you meet with your IBC financial aid analyst, you will work together to calculate a total for your tuition, books and fees and then formulate a plan for payment that best suits your budget. Don’t worry if you have other debt; most financial aid is not based on your credit background, so you can still qualify even if you have other debt.

One of the first things you will do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete this application online, and your IBC financial aid analyst can help you go through it step by step. You’ll need to have last year’s tax returns with you (yours if you’re on your own, your parents’ if you’re their dependent) as well as your Social Security Number. Don’t let the FAFSA intimidate you! No matter what you’ve heard about filling it out from your friends, it’s not that difficult. What is bad is if you don’t fill it out and you miss out on receiving the financial aid you deserve.

Your financial aid analyst will also help you sift through all the different types of grants, loans and scholarships available to IBC students. Some are based on need only, while others also have academic requirements. Some are outright gifts and others must be repaid once you complete your education. If you qualify for Federal Work Study (FWS), you will have the opportunity to work at a wage of $8 or more per hour to help pay for your education. Again, we will work with you to find a custom financial solution for you.

Do you have questions? Contact IBC to find out more.