Financial Aid

Paying for College Costs

It is important that students and parents communicate about college expenditures when applying to colleges. Students should be clear about what they hope for and can expect from their parents, while parents should be clear about what they really can provide. Although the cost of an institution should not be the sole factor in deciding where to apply, it is important that you know what financial commitments, if any, your parents are able to make in conjunction with any financial aid you may receive.

The Financial Aid Process

The actual cost of attending college consists of the tuition and fees charged by an institution less than the amount of financial aid awarded to the individual. To be considered for loans, grants, and scholarships, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. In addition, some schools may also require you to fill out the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile at https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile. It is best to find out what each school requires for financial aid and scholarships. BOTH forms are now available on October 1 and should be completed as soon as possible after this date during your senior year. Information from the FAFSA is sent to the federal and state government and to institutions to which the student applies. Using this information, after you are admitted to a college they will send you a Financial Aid Package. This will review the costs of tuition, fees, room, and board for the school, and it will be adjusted based on any grants, loans, or scholarships you are receiving.

Please note: Hasbrouck Heights High School holds a Financial Aid night every October. Ed Zamora from Principia Prep will be hosting a virtual meeting via Zoom on October 13, 2020. More information will be released as we get closer to the event.