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Overview of Financial Aid
Overview of Financial Aid
Any education beyond K-12 public school is viewed as the financial responsibility of the student/family. However, there are ways to seek financial aid to help afford further education and training beyond high school.
How much will college cost?
Use the Net Price Calculator to estimate cost at a particular college or university. Keep in mind that the sticker price of private colleges can often be competitive with public colleges due to more merit and need-based scholarships.
What is financial aid?
Money from government, institutional, or private sources to help pay for postsecondary education and training.
How is aid awarded?
Merit-Based: Granted for strong grades, test scores, or talents. Research institutional requirements early in 11th grade.
Need-Based: Determined by family income and assets via the FAFSA (and the CSS Profile for select colleges).
What are the types of financial aid?
Grants: Need-based money that does not need to be repaid (e.g., Federal Pell Grant).
Scholarships: Merit- or criteria-based funds that do not need to be repaid.
Work-Study: Part-time, on-campus employment paid directly to the student.
Loans: Federal or private funds for students and parents that must be repaid with interest.
How much federal student aid will I qualify for?
Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get a better idea of how much federal aid you may be awarded.
FAFSA
FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Estimate Aid: Use the Aid Estimator to see how much federal aid you may qualify for.
FAFSA Essentials:
What & When: The FAFSA opens every October and is required for federal, state, and institutional aid (including many college scholarships).
Getting Started: Create an FSA ID with your parents and meet with your high school’s GRASP representative.
Virginia Residents (VASA):
Non-immigrant, undocumented, or DACA students ineligible for the FAFSA should complete the VASA application to apply for Virginia state aid.
Invest529 Savings Plan
Invest529 Savings Plan
Invest529 is the new name for Virginia 529. According to their website, "A 529 savings plan is a type of investment account that can be used for education savings. These accounts can be opened by almost anyone; there are no income limits, and anyone can contribute.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are one form of financial aid and do not require repayment. Scholarships come from a number of sources and requirements will vary. It's important for students to start early, get organized, do their research to ensure they meet the qualifications, and proofread! The vast majority of scholarships outside of a college are $500-1,000 per year. Below is a list of places to search for scholarships:
Family - Employers, community organizations where parents are a member, GI Bill
Colleges
Many colleges will consider a student for scholarships automatically if they submit their application by a priority deadline. Here is a list of hidden scholarships from colleges across the country.
Common App - Common App's scholarship matching feature will match students with potential scholarships under the "Financial Aid" tab. In order to be matched, students can actually create a first year student account in 11th grade and start part of their Common App filling in the Profile and Education sections.
FAFSA - Be sure to check each college's priority filing date (usually Jan or Feb). The FAFSA can be completed starting in October of 12th grade.
GRASP (GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program)- A non profit organization with a representative at each high school to assist families with the FAFSA. They, too, have scholarships.
SchooLinks - HCPS maintains a list of local and community scholarships. Students can access this list by going to SchooLinks - Colleges - Scholarship Matching. The large majority of scholarships are posted January - March of Senior year. See more info below.
HCPS Senior Scholarship Application - Seniors can complete this Aug. 1- Dec. 31 to be considered for any scholarships awarded by their high school. See more info. below.
Search Engines - Scroll down this page to Internet Searches for links to additional scholarship search engines.
Hanover County Public Schools
Scholarship Database
Hanover County Public Schools publishes a list of community, regional, and national scholarship opportunities for Seniors. This list is located in SchooLinks under the Colleges tab, then Scholarship Matching. This list is updated regularly starting each fall. Many of these scholarship deadlines tend to fall February through April. Three items many scholarships tend to request are: updated transcript, a resume, and a personal statement. We recommend students prepare each of these items in advance as it will make applying to scholarships a little easier (scholarship application tips). Each application should have the student's name clearly listed on all items.
Hanover County Public Schools
Senior Scholarship Application
In addition to the HCPS Scholarship List, seniors currently enrolled in HCPS high schools can complete the senior scholarship application, which opens August 1 each year. This will qualify HCPS seniors for consideration of scholarships through their high school’s Scholarship Committee. This checklist is available to reference before seniors start completing the application. The deadline for seniors to complete the application is December 31.
FREE FINANCIAL AID HELP IN EACH HIGH SCHOOL
GRASP: Great Aspirations Scholarship Program
A representative from GRASP visits each high school weekly meeting with families to help navigate the financial aid process. GRASP is a non-profit, charitable, college-access organization that assists students and families in obtaining funding for post-secondary education. Services for the GRASP program include assistance with financial aid, FAFSA or VASA, and a list of scholarship opportunities. See below for contact information for GRASP representatives at each of the high schools in Hanover County Public Schools. Also, GRASP has a great Instagram account to follow for helpful tips, reminders and resources throughout the year @grasp4virginia.
GRASP en Español. Para pedir una cita con su mentor, por favor contacta de la oficina de los consejeros estudiantiles. Para mas apoyo, contacta Conchy Alvarez, la mentora hispanohablante de GRASP: espanol@grasp4va.org.
GRASP
Hanover HS
HHS families can schedule an appointment on Mondays here. Meetings are in the libary.
Internet Scholarship Searches
Internet Scholarship Searches
Scholarship Scams
Scholarship Scams
There are many free services and opportunities for scholarships. Students must take care not to be distracted by fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices. Here are a few quick tips to help avoid scams.
Most scholarships do not require an applicaiton fee. Beware of any program or service that requests a fee.
Don’t be distracted by official-sounding names and logos. If you have questions about an offer, see your school counselor or GRASP advisor.
Be cautious with announcements that you have been selected as a finalist in a contest that requires additional fees.
Legitimate scholarships are usually available through multiple avenues. Scholarship seekers should be wary of services that advertise exclusive offers not found elsewhere.
There is no one program or service that can guarantee that you will be awarded scholarships. Even refund guarantees may have strings attached.
Researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities requires time and patience. Students should approach scholarship searches as a long-term project by identifying eligibility and deadlines for opportunities. Students should always consult with their school counselor, GRASP advisor or college financial aid officer.
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