If you apply for grants (FAFSA), local scholarship, outside scholarships, and institutional scholarships... your dreams can become reality as you attend the college of your choice. Sometimes, you will have extra money in your pocket for bills after paying for tuition and books with grant and scholarship money. What do these mean?
GRANTS... grants are federally or locally issued funds that DO NOT have to be paid back. Grants are based on financial need rather than academics, athletics, or other merit.
LOANS... these can be from the FAFSA federal program, local university, OR through a private bank. These MUST BE PAID BACK after graduation or sooner.
SCHOLARSHIPS... these are local or institutional funds that are awarded and DO NOT have to be paid back. These are typically based on academic, athletic, or other merit. Some scholarships are also based on financial need at an institutional level.
FAFSA... This is a federally funded program that helps students with financial need a way to secure the funding to attend college. Based on your previous tax returns (or that of your parent or guardian), you can be awarded thousands of dollars each semester that you attend college as a full time student. These are offered in GRANTS and LOANS. Grants (Pell Grant) can be accepted and loans denied if you do not wish to accept those funds that will be repaid upon graduation. The FAFSA will open on Dec 1. Stay tuned for information about a FAFSA Family Night to be hosted at WCHS to help parents and seniors understand what it means and get help filling it out.
First Meeting: Thurs, Oct 5
Join in March 2024
before graduation for a
$200 Amazon Gift Card!
This program can help any student pursue their post-secondary goals, especially those in trade schools. They will help pay for anything that stands between you and that success such as:
Tuition & Fees
Rent & Utilities
Tools
Fuel (via mileage reimbursement)
Job placement assistance
Other hurdles as they arise!
A rep will be on campus on the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH to visit with WCHS students who might qualify for this program.
Seniors who qualify should sign up by November to ensure that everything is in order.
Students with any type of disabilities served through 504, SPED, or not, might be eligible for services through TWC that can pay for all costs associated with college and training in many cases!
Tuition & Fees
Housing
Tools and MORE!
Institutional Scholarships
After you are accepted to a college, make sure that you visit their scholarship portal to fill out their specific scholarships!
Other Scholarships
Use the google doc linked above to access all national, regional, and even local scholarships as they become available to our seniors! This will be updated all year long!
If you plan on working during college, some companies offer scholarships as part of their benefits package. You can begin working for them now and then transfer to your college town where you will already have completed your "qualifying time" to earn those scholarships. For example, McDonalds. College students who have worked for three months or more and are enrolled as full time students, are given approximately $2,500 per year towards their post secondary education! That is on top of their decent hourly wage as long as you continue to work a minimum of 15 hours. Walmart has a similar plan and also a good hourly wage. Think about those things when you apply for jobs during your senior year. Ask your employer if the job is transferable and if they offer tuition assistance or scholarships for employees!