FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION & UPDATES

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Before each year of college, students must apply for federal grants, work-study and loans with the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.  The FAFSA portal is expected to open on Wednesday, October 1st. 

The federal student assistance programs can help pay for most kinds of education after high school.  The aid is available to those attending a college, a professional school, or a vocational or technical school.  Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility.

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Residents of New York State attending a college or other institution in New York State must complete the FAFSA to apply for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other New York State grant or scholarship awards.  Eligibility for New York State grants and scholarships is limited to legal residents of New York State who are matriculated at colleges and other post-secondary institutions located in New York State.  To apply for TAP online, use the link on the FAFSA confirmation page to go to TAP on the Web.  For more information go to www.hesc.ny.gov.

College Scholarship Service – Financial Aid Profile Form 

Some institutions, usually private colleges and universities, may require that student applicants complete the CSS Financial Aid Profile Form to be considered for institutional aid.  There is a fee charged for filing this form.  Students should check with their college's financial aid office to be sure that they understand its application requirements before completing the form.  The profile can be completed online at www.collegeboard.org, create an account if you do not have one, and click on CSS Profile.

 Many colleges require, in addition to the forms listed above, that students complete a form specific to their individual college.  This form is available directly from the financial aid office at the college.  Please call the Counseling Office if you have questions.

Important Websites:

The Counseling Office website contains many useful and important links to financial aid information. 

You may access the website at www.lowvilleacademy.org, click on Departments and then click on Counseling Office (High School). 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):   www.studentaid.gov.  Click on Create an Account to create your FSA ID;

New York State Financial Aid Administrators Website:  www.nysfaaa.org  

New York State Higher Education Services, Inc.:  www.hesc.ny.gov

CSS Financial Aid Profile:  Log into Collegeboard.org (create and account if you do not have one) and click on CSS Profile.