Financial Aid & Scholarships 

SENIORS - HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR FAFSA?

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Filing a FAFSA is the single most important thing you can do to get money for college. It’s the gateway to more than $150 billion in college grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, as well as certain state-based aid. Most students receive some type of financial aid, so you should fill out a FAFSA application even if you don't think you qualify.  

The FAFSA is available online at fafsa.ed.gov, and you will need to provide financial information from you and your parents to determine your eligibility for aid. The first “F” in FAFSA stands for free. You don’t need to pay to file it. The application takes less than 30 minutes to complete. 

Instructions on how to apply are below. Additionally, here is a youtube video on how to apply. There are many other helpful videos on the Federal Student Aid Channel. 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FAFSA

SENIORS - UNDERSTANDING YOUR AID LETTER

How to fund a College Education

There are several ways to pay for college, including:

1. Scholarships: Scholarships are financial awards that are based on merit, need, or other criteria. You can search for and apply for scholarships through websites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com, or through the financial aid office at your college.

2. Grants: Grants are financial awards that are based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. You can search for and apply for grants through websites like Federal Student Aid and CollegeBoard, or through the financial aid office at your college.

3. Loans: Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. You can apply for federal student loans through the FAFSA, or through private lenders.

4. Work-study: Work-study is a federal program that provides part-time employment to help students pay for college. You can apply for work-study through the FAFSA.

5. Personal savings and contributions: You can use your own savings and contributions from family and friends to pay for college.

Remember to explore all of your options and to apply for financial aid early to increase your chances of getting the funding you need.

Financial Aid 101 Handout