Myth: I don’t need to apply for financial aid because my education is already paid with my Veteran benefits.
Fact: Most Veteran benefits do not pay course fees, nor do they pay for books. Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 are the only ones that do. A Pell grant can be used to pay for uncovered expenses. Even if all your expenses are paid by Veteran benefits, a Pell grant will be paid out as a refund for you to use on anything you’d like, similar to income.
Myth: I won’t qualify for financial aid because I’m receiving Veteran education benefits.
Fact: An estimated 70% of JALC students receive federal financial aid, including many who are also using Veteran education benefits. Veteran students can complete the FAFSA as an independent student regardless of age or marital status. That means you do not need to include income from your parents, making you more likely to qualify.
Myth: Since I’m using Veteran education benefits, I don’t want to take financial aid from someone else who needs it worse than I do.
Fact: The financial aid program is meant to support students with limited income, and if you qualify, it can help without negatively impacting others in need. You or someone else sacrificed a great deal for your Veteran education benefits. While it is commendable to consider others, your benefits have been earned. Combining them with financial aid ensures that you can access the full support you are entitled to.
Myth: The FAFSA is a long, drawn-out application and is a waste of my time.
Fact: The FAFSA application has been completely overhauled. Beginning with the 2024-2025 form, the process to apply for financial aid became much simpler and therefore quicker as well. It is now a straightforward online application. It will even pull your tax information from the IRS for you with your login information and consent. And if you need help, we have an office full of staff to assist you, and FAFSA also offers support. For the 2024-25 school year, a full Pell grant was $7,395!
Another Fact: Students interested in participating in the work study program – getting a part-time job on campus – must have a complete financial aid file which requires a FAFSA application. The same is true for those applying for scholarships.
You may complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
You can also find more information on the JALC Financial Aid page.