The first step every student/family should take when beginning the financial aid process for college should be to view the Cecil County Public Schools Financial Aid Guide. This guide provides an overview of financial aid, answers frequently asked questions, provides numerous informational and scholarships websites, and includes many national and local scholarships which students can begin applying for. The Guide can be found on the Cecil County Public Schools website, www.ccps.org, or you can download it directly by clicking the link below. Every 11th and 12th grade student will also receive a printed copy of the guide this Fall when the updated version is available.
Cecil County Public Schools Financial Aid Guide:
Below you will find links to local and national scholarships, as well as links to scholarship search engines which can be used to search for thousands of scholarship opportunities. More information on specific scholarship offerings can be found on the "Scholarships" subpage. Please see your School Counselor for more information or to pick up an application.
Every student who plans to attend college must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form can be found on the above link, as well as detailed instructions and helpful financial aid tips and information. This form can be turned in starting October 1st, and financial aid is given out on a first-come-first-served basis.
*IMPORTANT* - please use the web address listed above to fill out your online FAFSA. Other sites, such as fafsa.com, may charge you for the service. It is important to stay clear of services and/or scholarships which charge you for their service/applications.
Using this site you can create a free account which can be used to search for thousands of scholarships. You can also sign up to have scholarships and essay contests sent directly to your e-mail!
This is another useful search engine which can be used to find money to help pay for college.
https://www.uncf.org/scholarships
The United Negro College Fund - A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste
This site has numerous scholarships which are available and can be applied for online.
http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/index.html
The Sallie Mae Fund - Opening Doors to Higher Education