Paving the Road to College and Career Readiness

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): FAFSA Website

Tip: Fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 to maximize your aid opportunities.

CSS Profile (for non-federal aid): CSS Profile Website

State-specific Aid:

Example: California Dream Act (for undocumented students in California): California Dream Act Website.

Scholarship Search Engines:

Fastweb: Fastweb Website

College Board’s Scholarship Search: College Board Scholarship Search

Scholarships.com: Scholarships.com Website

1. Prepare Early: Gather documents such as your Social Security number, tax returns, and financial records.

2. Complete the FAFSA: Submit as soon as possible after October 1. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to simplify the process.

3. Review Your SAR (Student Aid Report): After submitting the FAFSA, you’ll receive a SAR that summarizes the information you provided.

4. Compare Award Letters: Once accepted to colleges, you’ll receive financial aid offers. Compare them to see which school provides the best aid package.

5. Accept Your Aid: Decide which aid options to accept (grants, scholarships, and work-study before loans).

6. Renew Annually: Reapply for financial aid each year you’re in school.

Start Early: Many scholarships have deadlines as early as your junior year of high school.

Tailor Your Applications: Customize essays and applications to fit the specific requirements of each scholarship.

Apply Widely: Don’t just focus on large national scholarships; local scholarships often have fewer applicants and can be easier to win.

Maintain Good Grades and Involvement: Many scholarships are merit-based, so strong academic performance and extracurricular involvement can boost your chances.

Keep an Eye on Deadlines: Use a calendar to track scholarship deadlines and avoid missing out on opportunities.

87% of first-time, full-time undergraduate students receive financial aid.

The average federal grant award is $4,686 per year.

Scholarships can reduce college costs significantly:

Example: In 2022, over $6.1 billion in scholarships were awarded across the U.S.

Myth: "My family makes too much money to qualify for aid."
Fact: You should still fill out the FAFSA, as many factors beyond income affect eligibility.

Myth: "Only students with perfect grades get scholarships."
Fact: Many scholarships focus on community service, leadership, and other criteria, not just grades.

Myth: "Private loans are better than federal loans."
Fact: Federal loans typically offer lower interest rates and more repayment options than private loans.