Senior Fellows secure $8.6 million+ in non-Pell Grant college aid

On May 1, seniors officially made their college decisions. Predictably, one of the most heavily weighted factors is cost. That’s why BRYC developed a comprehensive suite of financial counseling services to support Senior Fellows and Guardians navigating the financial aid process.

FAFSA & CSS Profile
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile have the potential to unlock thousands of dollars in gift aid for students. However, the process of completing these applications remains complex, especially for first-generation families. Errors or missed deadlines can hinder access to this critical support. BRYC guides Fellows and families through the process during a dedicated “FAFSA Week” and helps them stay on top of follow-up tasks, of which there are many.

Scholarship Sourcing
Almost all Fellows are Pell grant-eligible and qualify for a minimum amount of financial aid. But, this aid rarely covers the true cost of college, which includes school fees, daily living expenses, transportation, etc. Fellows need more than tuition dollars to graduate with a manageable debt load. BRYC sources thousands of scholarships each year, but we go a step further, helping Fellows target awards that match their specific profile, talents, accomplishments, etc. As a result, they heavily supplement their school-based financial aid.

Financial Aid Meetings
Every year, we are proud of the amount of institutional aid our Fellows are offered – usually between $5-$15 million total. Financial aid offer letters, however, are not uniform, and reading one can be like deciphering hieroglyphics, potentially leading to unsound choices. That’s why BRYC meets 1:1 with every Senior Fellow and their parents to discuss the details of each offer, perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine which offers truly meet their needs, and complete required next steps to secure and redeem aid.

Financial Literacy
Basic financial literacy is, of course, critical for short- and long-term success, but many BRYC Fellows (like most teenagers) are untrained in money management. This leaves them vulnerable to predatory lending schemes or simply under-prepared to make sound financial choices while in college. That’s why, as Fellows transition to college, BRYC emphasizes making budgeting a habit. We provide Fellows with tools to map their income, expenses, and cash flow, and we ensure they understand the full implications of loans.

BRYC is grateful to Olivier Group for sponsoring our 2022-2023 financial aid counseling services, a generous investment in Fellows’ long-term economic stability.