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Now Is the Time for Seniors and Their Parents to Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

“Now Is the Time for Seniors and Their Parents to Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships” by John Penrose, V.P. for Enrollment and Marketing. An image of a piggy bank wearing a graduation cap.

Senior year is filled with important moments—campus visits, applications, final seasons, senior pictures, and preparations for graduation. It can also pass more quickly than families expect. That is why now is the right time to begin planning for college financial aid.

Last year, Kentucky Christian University received a record number of FAFSAs from prospective students. That is encouraging because completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps a family can take to make college more affordable.

The 2027–28 FAFSA is scheduled to become available to everyone by October 1, 2026. Families should prepare now and complete it as soon as possible after it opens. Some state, institutional, and scholarship funds are limited or have earlier priority deadlines.

What Is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Colleges use information from the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility for several types of financial assistance, including:

  • Federal and state grants
  • Federal student loans
  • Federal work-study opportunities
  • Need-based institutional aid
  • Certain college and private scholarships

The FAFSA is free to complete. You should never pay a company to submit it for you. Completing the FAFSA also does not obligate your student to accept loans or attend a particular college—it simply helps schools determine what financial aid may be available.

How to Complete the FAFSA

The official FAFSA website is StudentAid.gov. Be cautious of unofficial websites that may charge unnecessary fees.

Here is how your family can prepare:

1. Create StudentAid.gov Accounts

The student and each parent or other person identified as a required contributor will need their own StudentAid.gov account. Create those accounts at StudentAid.gov.

Each person should use an email address and mobile number they can access regularly. Parents should not create an account for their student or use the student’s email address.

2. Gather the Information You May Need

Before beginning, gather the following:
  • Student and parent Social Security numbers, if applicable
  • Current email addresses and mobile numbers
  • Information from the family’s 2025 federal income-tax return
  • Records of current assets, savings, and investments, if requested
  • A list of colleges the student is considering
Much of the federal tax information can be transferred directly from the IRS after the required consent is provided.
3. Complete the Correct FAFSA Form
Students planning to begin college in fall 2027 should complete the 2027–28 FAFSA.
The student should begin the form, answer the student questions, and invite any required parent or contributor to complete their portion. Each contributor must provide the required consent, answer their questions, and electronically sign the form.
4. Add Every College the Student Is Considering
Students do not have to be admitted to a college before listing it on the FAFSA. Add every school the student is seriously considering so each institution can receive the information needed to prepare a financial aid offer.
Kentucky Christian University’s FAFSA school code is:
001965
Including KCU’s school code allows our Financial Aid Office to receive the student’s FAFSA information.
5. Review, Sign, and Submit
Make sure every required contributor has completed and signed their portion. After submission, watch for confirmation and review the student’s FAFSA Submission Summary for errors or requests for additional information.
Families should also continue checking email and the student’s college portals. A school may request documents to verify FAFSA information before it can complete the student’s financial aid offer.
Begin Applying for Scholarships Now
Families should not wait until spring to begin searching for scholarships. Some scholarship deadlines occur months before graduation, and smaller local scholarships can add up quickly.
Start with opportunities close to home:
  • The student’s high school counselor
  • Local churches and ministry organizations
  • Community foundations
  • Civic organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs
  • Local banks, credit unions, and businesses
  • The student’s employer
  • Parents’ employers and professional associations
  • Organizations connected to the student’s intended major or career
  • Athletic, music, ministry, leadership, and community-service organizations
Students can also search trusted national resources such as:
Families should never pay to search or apply for a scholarship. Be cautious of any organization that guarantees an award, requests unusual financial information, or pressures you to pay a fee.
A helpful approach is to set aside a small amount of time each week for scholarship applications. Students should maintain a list of deadlines, request recommendation letters early, and save copies of their essays so they can adapt them for future applications.
Applying for Scholarships at KCU
Kentucky Christian University offers institutional scholarships and financial aid opportunities based on factors such as academics, leadership, talent, ministry involvement, athletics, and financial need.
Students should begin by:
  1. Applying for admission to KCU
  2. Completing KCU’s scholarship application
  3. Submitting the FAFSA and listing KCU’s school code, 001965
  4. Responding promptly to requests from Admissions or Financial Aid
  5. Exploring KCU’s current scholarship information and financial aid resources
Eligibility for nearly all KCU institutional aid begins through the admissions and scholarship application process. Students should apply early so our team has time to review all available opportunities.
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but families do not have to figure it out by themselves. The best first steps are simple: apply for admission, complete the FAFSA, search consistently for scholarships, and ask questions whenever something is unclear.
I have also developed a Faith and Family College Planning Guide to help Christian families approach the college search with thoughtful questions about faith, affordability, academic preparation, and finding the right community.
Parents who would like a copy of the guide may email me directly at jbpenrose@kcu.edu, and I will be glad to send one.
Beginning early will give your family more time, more information, and more opportunities to make a confident college decision.

John B. Penrose Jr.
Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing
Kentucky Christian University
jbpenrose@kcu.edu
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