Steps to get started with financial aid
Don't be scared off by college costs before you've done your research. Check out this information about sticker price vs. net price, from NPR
Iowa College Access Network (ICAN)
ICAN is a very helpful (free!) resource. I highly recommend making an appointment with them, especially if you want help with the FAFSA or have a complicated family or financial situation.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical part of the financial aid process. All families should file the FAFSA even if you don't think you'll qualify for federal aid based on your income. Schools also use it to help determine your financial aid award. The form opens on October 1st for students attending college the next school year. Eligible students must be US citizens or permanent legal residents, with only a few other exceptions.
The CSS profile is and additional financial aid application used by many private colleges. Many families will need to complete the CSS in addition to the FAFSA. Check the list of schools here.
The basics on Schoalarships, from Big Future
Merit vs. Need
Merit scholarships are awarded based on things such as GPA, achievements, extracurriculars, etc, while Need-based scholarships are are based on financial need, usually determined by the FAFSA. Generally, less selective colleges are more likely to award merit scholarships, while highly selective colleges are more likely to award need-based aid. Scholarships from other sources vary. Some consider need, some merit, and some both.
Places to start the search:
LMHS School Counseling Scholarship List
*Most of these are for seniors. The list changes often, so check back regularly during senior year.
*These are some of the most generous merit-based scholarships in the country. This is a great list to look at NOW, because they may not be schools students have previously considered. Interested students should talk with Mrs. Hajek and their counselor.
*This is a very large national scholarship search database. It's a bit overwhelming, but has lots of great scholarship opportunities.
* FastWeb is a safe place to search for scholarships, but students should remember that they should ALWAYS be careful about who they give their private information to. If in doubt, ASK an adult before submitting information.
Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award
Iowa Juniors can submit a proposal by April 1st for a community service project they would like to complete over the summer. This is a great opportunity for students who want to make a difference in their community!
Schools send out award letters to admitted students to let them know how much they will pay, but they can be confusing and/or misleading.
find out more about how to read your letter and compare awards using Tuition Fit
This article from NPR may help you better understand what to look for