Financial Options to Help You Reach Your Educational Goals

Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. Typically a Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Exceptions to this and more information about grants can be found here

Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, need, and merit. Qualifying students are invited to apply. As with grants, scholarships are offered in support of your education at a qualifying school in Florida and do not need to be repaid.

Benes Career Academy is an accredited institution which qualifies it to participate in the Federal Student Loan Program. Qualifying students can either receive a subsidized or unsubsidized student loan to support their education.

Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while you are enrolled in coursework at least half-time or during deferment periods.

Unsubsidized loans offer additional funds that are not based on financial need.

Parent Plus loans are available for students who are currently dependents, and whose parents meet the preliminary credit check requirements.

All students must complete a Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling to ensure the borrower’s education requirements are satisfied.

Bene’s Career Academy offers work-study programs for students who have a financial need to gain practical skills in their area of focus while earning an income. This is an excellent avenue for balancing work alongside achieving a degree. Your admissions counselor can walk you through the application process and notify you of opportunities that match your interests.

Cash pay students, or students with a remaining balance after financial aid are offered interest free individualized payments plans.

Bene’s honors servicemen and women of the armed forces by participating in the various GI Bill® programs and military tuition assistance programs designed for active and inactive service members and their families.

Benes Career Academy participates in the following Veterans Assistance programs.

Chapter 30: The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)- This bill can help you pay for education and training programs if you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty. You can read more here.

Chapter 33: The Post-9/11 GI Bill – This bill helps you pay for school or job training if you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001. You can read more here

Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program – If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program. You can read more here

Additional information can be found at http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ or by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). You may apply online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov.

​Bene’s Career Academy’s Federal Student Code is 014752

FAFSA® stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. By completing this form, your are submitting your required financial information for processing, so Bene’s Career Academy and Massage can determine your eligibility for financial aid. To begin the process of completing the FAFSA® for the first time (or the FAFSA® Renewal in subsequent years), go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Students and parents of dependent students must sign the FAFSA® with their FSA IDs for the FAFSA ®to be processed. FAFSA®s will remain unprocessed if they do not have the required FSA IDs.

Cosmetology and Esthetics students must submit a FAFSA® renewal every year if they wish to be considered for need-based aid (Pell or Stafford) for the next academic year. Federal regulations require new FAFSA® information each year. In addition to filing the FAFSA®, students and parents with extraordinary financial circumstances should explain the situation in writing, attach supporting documentation, and submit their request for review to Bene’s Career Academy and Massage’s Financial Aid Office.

Many families believe that they won’t qualify for financial aid, but they are, in fact, eligible for some types of aid. It is impossible to know what aid is available to you unless you apply. In any case, the FAFSA® is absolutely FREE so it should be completed so a family can know for sure what is available.

Remember, Financial Aid such as the Stafford Unsubsidized Loan and the PLUS loan for creditworthy parents is an option available to ALL students (regardless of financial need) if they complete the FAFSA. Regardless of how much money you or your parents make, you should still apply for Federal Financial Aid since some sources of aid are not need based and you or your parents may qualify regardless of income.

There are several websites online and printed resources in our Financial Aid Office that discuss the differences and benefits of different types of loans. If you have questions regarding loans, please contact our office to make an appointment with our Financial Aid Manager.

While both are legitimate forms of financial aid, a grant does not require repayment. A loan requires repayment over time.

Students (and parents of dependent students) will need to refer to a copy of their most recent tax return (1040) when applying for financial aid. In addition, documentation on other sources of income including social security benefits, unemployment compensation, veteran’s benefits, etc., will also be needed. Information on the value of assets is also required. Examples of assets include checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposits, mutual funds, real estate (other than the family home), businesses and farms.