Pillar College / Admissions & Aid / Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid / Apply for Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

Your Pillar College education is a transformative investment, and we’re here to help.

Pillar College Financial Aid

Financing a college education requires determination, careful planning, and most importantly, faith. While we maintain that paying for a college education remains the responsibility of the student, we also believe that God provides for those who are diligent in obeying His call. Students seeking financial aid should review resources available through the Pillar College Financial Aid office.

Pillar College makes it a priority to offer our students a quality education at the lowest possible cost. Tuition and fees only cover a portion of the total cost of education. Additional funds offsetting the cost to students are derived from gifts to Pillar College from area churches and contributors. In this way, every student receives assistance through our affordable tuition structure.

Pillar College operates a full student Financial Aid program, including grants, scholarships, loans, and employment. This allows any student a realistic opportunity to finance their college education. More than 90% of all Pillar students who apply for financial assistance to further their education receive it. We are aware that each family has their own unique financial situation. Our Financial Aid staff is available to work with students and families to find the resources to fund their education at Pillar.

Pillar College Free Tuition Program

Our free tuition program applies to current year high school graduates who meet eligibility requirements. For more information, please call Sarai Mata at 973-803-5000 ext: 1044 or email at [email protected].

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Students start the process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need for all scholarships and grants. Both the student and parents (if student is under the age of 24) apply at www.studentaid.gov.

The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and loan eligibility is displayed on the confirmation page of the FAFSA.

Verification Process

After the Student Aid Report (SAR) is received, students may be asked by the Federal Processor or a state agency to provide similar documentation to verify the information on the SAR. It is important to respond to any request within 14 days to avoid delays in the processing of financial aid applications.

For verification requirements, any item you used to complete your prior-prior year’s tax return will be needed. If the IRS Data Retrieval Tool was not used during the FAFSA process, a Tax Return Transcript may be required. This can be obtained at www.irs.gov (either downloaded immediately with a link to a credit card, or ordered to be mailed to the address on the taxes.) Pillar College does not disburse any Federal Student Aid until the verification process is complete and any corrections required have been made. If documentation is not received prior to the beginning of classes, the student will be required to pay tuition in full on the first day of class.

Entrance/Exit Counseling for Student Loans

Per Federal regulations, first time student loan borrowers are required to complete a Federal Direct Student Loan ENTRANCE COUNSELING INTERVIEW and MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE at https://studentaid.gov/h/complete-aid-process.

A Federal Direct Loan EXIT INTERVIEW is required to be completed prior to graduation, or whenever a student is enrolled for less than 6 credit hours. The Exit Interview is conducted online at https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans.

A Student Loan may not be certified after the end of the academic year, or after the student withdraws or graduates. A Student Loan may not be taken out for past due balances from a previous semester. Repayment of the loan typically begins six months from the date the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours), and may extend over a ten-year period.

Applying for Financial Aid

How Need-based Financial Aid Eligibility is determined:

The student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submits the information at www.studentaid.gov
The Federal Processing Center applies a formula established by the U.S. Congress to the information on the FAFSA to determine the student’s eligibility for Federal assistance.
This formula produces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number.
The Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to the student and each school the student listed on the FAFSA.
The SAR contains the EFC number and tells the student if they are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and student loans.
The Financial Aid Office determines the student’s financial need by subtracting the EFC from the College’s total cost of attendance. Because financial aid funds are limited, the student may fall short of the total amount needed to attend a particular college.

In order to be eligible for any type of Federal Financial Aid you must:

Pillar College provides equal educational and employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of their economic or social status, and does not discriminate in any of its policies, programs, or activities on the basis of sex, age, race, ability, marital or parental status, color, or national or ethnic origin.

Applying for Financial Aid

Here are links to several forms or documents you may need to help you progress in your Financial Aid process. Usually if you are required to use one of these forms you will receive specific instructions from the Financial Aid department to do so, but you are free to view or print any of these forms or documents as you see fit.

Admissions & Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Location
60 Park Place, Suite 701
Newark, NJ 07102

Contact
Phone:
1-800-234-9305, Press 5
973-242-3282
[email protected]