Students are encouraged to gather financial aid and scholarship information for their circumstances and college application process. Students should not necessarily let the price of a particular college dissuade them from applying for admission. Many financial aid programs exist to help you meet all college costs: tuition, fees, books, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation. The Student Aid Index(SAI) will remain reasonably constant regardless of the cost of a particular college or university. The difference between family contribution and total cost will be made up in financial aid (i.e., grants, loans, work-study).

You can start your financial aid search with the Local Scholarship Listing compiled by the Career Resource Center staff, found below. Each college presents applicants with a "financial aid package" determined by financial need calculated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, in addition to the FAFSA. If you apply for aid, you will receive packages from all the colleges you apply to in the Spring of the Senior year. Students and their parents should compare amounts and types of aid to determine which is most beneficial.

The FAFSA will be available online by December 31st. To see an early estimate, go to the FAFSA Forecaster. The CSS Profile is available in September and should be filed as soon as the student identifies the schools to which he/she will apply.

The most valuable financial aid resources are the financial aid professionals at local colleges and universities—many welcome inquiries during the application process. The students are responsible for contacting financial aid offices, completing and filing financial aid and scholarship applications, meeting all deadlines, and supplying the necessary information.