Financial Aid

NOTE THAT DUE TO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH THE FAFSA, THE 2024-2025 FAFSA APPLICATION WILL OPEN ON DECEMBER 1, 2023, NOT OCTOBER 1, 2023 AS IN YEARS PAST.

The financial aid process can be one of the most intimidating and daunting steps in the college process. To help, we have assembled a wealth of resources to assist in the process. Each fall, the Counseling Department hosts a Financial Aid Night for students and parents/guardians presented by a financial aid professional from a local college walk attendees through the process. Direct any financial aid questions to Mr. Grime (last names A-L) or Mrs. Ziegler (last names M-Z).

Steps to the Financial Aid Process

1. Get an early estimate of your federal student aid eligibility with the FAFSA4caster at fafsa.ed.gov.

2. Set up your personal Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) to access, complete and submit the FAFSA.

3. Complete your FAFSA as early as October 1 for the next school year using your prior-prior year tax return.

4. Expect to get a Student Aid Report (SAR) within three weeks of submitting your FAFSA.

5. If you get flagged for verification, make sure you work with your colleges to submit any required documents to complete the verification.

6. Verify your SAR is correct and complete. It provides a summary of how you answered the FAFSA and shows your eligible aid.

Types of Financial Aid

• Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) for students attending college at least half-time. Loans must be repaid.

• Grants provide needs-based aid to students. the money doesn't have to be repaid (unless you withdraw from school before finishing an enrollment period.)

• Federal work-study programs are offered by colleges to help students earn money working part-time.

• State aid is primarily available to students who attend college in their state.

• Institutional aid is provided by public and private colleges to help their students pay for tuition and fees.