Financial Aid

Paying for college seems to get harder and harder each year. As tuition prices continue to rise, families are forced to find ways to help pay for school. College should be viewed as an investment, but regardless, any help out there is beneficial for families. One of the most important documents you will need to fill out your senior year is the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This federal government document will be used to determine if you are eligible for loans, grants or even some scholarships which are all money sources you should consider when trying to pay for school. It takes a snapshot of you and your parent's income at that particular point in time.

Loan: Money borrowed from the government or a financial institution that must be paid back. Subsidized loans are available for financially needy students, which allow you to not collect interest while you are enrolled in higher education. Unsubsidized loans are also an option, but interest will accrue while you are in school.

Grant: This is free money that you do not have to pay back. Grants are based on your financial need alone. Grades, test scores and talents do not factor into whether you get a grant or not. Many grants are given on a first come, first serve basis, so it is important to apply early.

Scholarship: Free money based on your grades, test scores, talents or attributes that are unique in some way. Scholarships can be found independently, through your school of choice or by checking in the guidance office. Click on the scholarship tab above to see what we have to offer.

CHANGE FOR 2017 SENIORS!!!!!

Beginning this year, the FAFSA will be made available to fill out on October 1. This is a change from the past when it was always made available on January 1. Although the timing of this change is not ideal, it is helpful in many ways. When you fill out the FAFSA in October, they will be asking for financial information from 2015, or prior, prior year information. This means that your tax information necessary for the form will already be complete. This change will make filling out the FAFSA much easier than in the past, when taxes weren't always ready at the time of application.

We will be having an informational meeting regarding the FAFSA for parents on Thursday, September 29 @ 6:00 pm in the auditorium. An expert from Black Hawk College will come out and explain the FAFSA and it's importance. Please plan to attend this meeting if you would like further information regarding the FAFSA and financial aid. Students are welcome, but not required to attend.

Remember- the sooner you can fill out the FAFSA, the better after October 1, 2016. As mentioned before, the state of Illinois does have a strong grant program, but the money does run out. If you fill out your FAFSA right away & you are eligible, you won't run the risk of loosing that money because funds have run out. We will also be having a FAFA Completion NIght on Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:30 pm in the Computer Lab. This will be a chance for parents/students to come in and actually fill out the FAFSA with help if needed.

HELPFUL LINKS:

FAFSA on the web: www.fafsa.ed.gov

FSA ID page (to create your electronic PIN number for FAFSA): https://fsaid.ed.gov

US Department of Education: www.collegecost.ed.gov

ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission): www.isac.org