FInancial Aid & Scholarships

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

Better FAFSA 101 - Better FAFSA opens December, 31 2023!
- FAFSA Simplification - What to expect on the new FAFSA
File for financial aid between the dates of October 1st (December 31 for 2023) – June 30th at www.studentaid.gov. (File by March 2 for Cal Grant consideration!)
- Create a Studentaid.gov Account before starting your FAFSA
- Filling out the FAFSA Form - Watch step-by-step videos to complete the application
- FAQs - Better FAFSA, Better CADAA - 11 pages of answers to your most frequently asked questions!
- Quick Reference Guide on Creating and Using an FSA ID, click HERE
- Quick Reference Guide on Fixing FSA ID and FAFSA Problems, click HERE

CSS PROFILE:

This is an application distributed by the College Board allowing students to apply for financial aid. It is primarily designed to give private member institutions of the College Board a closer look into the finances of a student and family. It is much more detailed than the FAFSA.
Check the list of private colleges and universities on their website to see if this profile will be applicable to you.

Colleges and Universities

Check the websites of the colleges or universities you are applying to. There may be additional financial aid opportunities available.

Types of Financial Aid

Grants – are available on the basis of financial aid and do not have to be repaid. Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
Loans – are funds that you must repay. Federal Loan programs offer a secure, government-regulated and reasonably affordable way to invest in yourself and your goal of a higher education. Even though some loans are based on financial need, there are programs available to all federally eligible students regardless of income. Types of loans include Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Stafford Loans, and PLUS Loans (for Graduate Students or Parents of Dependent Undergraduate Students).
Work Study – Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program that provides employment opportunities to students with the highest financial need. Placement is limited.

SDUHSD Financial Aid Event- 2023.pdf

Seniors: Check your Google Classroom (code: exc5g5y) for a variety of additional scholarships including scholarships that are only for TPHS Seniors!

Types of Scholarships:

Merit-based
- Based on a student's academic, artistic, athletic or other abilities, and often factor in an applicant's extracurricular activities and community service record. The most common merit-based scholarships recognize academic achievement or high scores on standardized tests.
Need-based
- Based on the student and family's financial record and will require applicants to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify if the scholarship is a federal award.
Student-specific
- Applicants must initially qualify by gender, race, religion, family and medical history, or many other student-specific factors.
Community Service
- Based on a student’s past involvement in his/her community.

Tips:

Do your research. Apply for everything you are eligible for. Don’t miss out on free money!
Ask questions! See your counselor if you have questions regarding any steps during this process.
Pay attention to deadlines.

SDUHSD Student Opportunities 20-21