GRASP is here to help!

Financial aid is a scary topic. Many people don't feel up to the task of figuring out what to do to fill out the forms and so they just don't. We hope to put a stop to that! Hopewell High School is fortunate to have the help of our GRASP advisor, Mrs. Paticia Gilliam, to navigate the confusing waters of financial aid.

Your assigned school counselor can also help you with the financial aid process if Ms. Gilliam isn't available.

One of the scary parts about financial aid is that there are a lot of misconceptions about it. Keep reading for the real answers to some of the common misunderstandings about financial aid.

Myth #1 - I'm not going away to college so I don't need financial aid.

Financial aid isn't just for students who are going to a traditional 4-year residential college or university. Financial aid can be used at community colleges, 2-year colleges, and in career schools. You can find out more information on the Federal Student Aid: Types of Schools website.

Myth #2 - I make too much money to apply for financial aid.

The only way to know what kind of financial aid that you can get is to apply using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you don't fill it out, you will never know. The FAFSA helps determine the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) which schools then use to create a financial aid package. With the cost of education rising, you may find that you qualify even if you thought you wouldn't. So, just fill out the FAFSA. It can't hurt you! To read more about eligibility for financial aid, go to the Federal Student Aid: Who Gets Aid website.

Myth #3 - My grades aren't good enough to get financial aid.

While it's true that some students get more money in the form of merit scholarships because of their good grades, not all financial aid is based upon merit. Most of it is based upon need. Having said that, you do have to maintain good academic standing in order to continue to qualify for financial aid as you move through school.

Myth #4 - Filling out the FAFSA is too hard.

Not any more! Through such initiatives as our Super FAFSA Night, our GRASP advisor, and the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, the FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative. If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from the toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID. And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.

You do need to create an FSA ID in order to complete the FAFSA. This includes the student and the parent/guardian who is filling out the FAFSA with the student. It can take up to 1-3 days for the government to match your information to your profile and create your FSA ID. It is important that you do not wait until the last day to create your FSA ID! You can go to: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm to create your FSA ID now.

You can learn more about the FAFSA and the financial aid process at: https://lendedu.com/blog/financial-aid-scholarships-student-loans-101-course/

You can watch this video to give you an overview of the FAFSA process.

Myth #5 - I can just fill it out before I register for classes.

Nope! You may file your FAFSA starting October 1 for aid for the next school year. Many scholarships require a SAR (Student Aid Report) which is generated about 10 days after you submit your FAFSA. Also, grant money is on a first-come, first-saved basis so apply early! For more information on filling out your FAFSA, visit the Federal Student Aid: Applying for Aid website.