Financial Aid
** CLASS OF 2024 - The FAFSA opens DECEMBER 1st!**
Please DO NOT submit your FAFSA before this date
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This your opportunity to apply for and receive financial aid from the government to help pay for college. ALL eligible seniors that are continuing their education after graduation should fill out the FAFSA.
The deadline to apply for financial aid from the State of Maryland is MARCH 1ST
ATTENTION SENIORS
If you are NOT eligible to apply for the FAFSA due to citizenship requirements, you will need to submit the MSFAA application in your MDCAPS account by March 1st!
Si usted NO es elegible para solicitar la FAFSA por requisitos de ciudadanía, ¡tendrá que llenar la solicitud MSFAA en su cuenta MDCAPS antes del 1 de marzo!
Create your FSA ID
Both the student AND one parent need to create an FSA ID.
How to fill out the FAFSA
Get started! Make sure you are prepared with all the required documents.
What happens next?
You have submitted the FAFSA, now what?
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
We understand that going to college can be an expensive investment. Most students cannot afford to attend a college, university, or trade school without the help of some type of financial aid. For many students, taking out student loans is the only option to be able to afford tuition and other school-related expenses. If you are considering taking student loans, make sure you understand the different loan types and the costs before you borrow. MoneyGeek.com has created a helpful guide explaining the different types of loans available to students. They have also created a guide explaining unfair student loan practices and how to protect yourself. Take a look at these helpful resources as you start doing research. Below you will see links to other, helpful sites.
Check out the Wells Fargo "Financial Aid Journey in 5 Steps" PDF. This helpful tool provides both an interactive eBook and videos to help students learn about the importance of completing the FAFSA, estimating college costs, exploring financing options, and more.
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
MHEC - Maryland Higher Education Commission
Community College Promise Program
Maryland 529 Savings Plans
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Financial Aid Calculator - Fafsa4caster
Colleges That Have Eliminated Loans From Their Financial Aid Packages
www.mhec.state.md.us - Excellent website and will explain all of the Maryland state financial aid programs.
www.studentaid.ed.gov - Federal Student Aid website.
www.mdod.maryland.gov - State of Maryland DOD website. Resources for students with disabilities.