Financial Aid

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Students are encouraged to gather financial aid and scholarship information that is applicable for their own circumstances and college application process. Students should not necessarily let the price of a particular college dissuade them from applying for admission. Many financial aid programs exist to help you meet all college costs: tuition, fees, books, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation. The expected family contribution will remain fairly constant regardless of the cost of a particular college or university. The difference between family contribution and total cost will be made up in financial aid (i.e., grants, loans, work-study).

Each college presents to applicants a "financial aid package" determined by financial need calculated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, in addition to the FAFSA. If you apply for aid, you will receive packages from all the colleges you apply to in the spring of the senior year. Students and their parents should compare amounts and types of aid to determine which is most beneficial.

The FAFSA is available in the Counseling Center, in the public libraries, and online. While the application becomes available in December, it cannot be filed until after January 1. The CSS Profile is available in September and should be filed as soon as the student identifies the schools to which he/she will apply.

The most valuable financial aid resources are the financial aid professionals at local colleges and universities. Many welcome inquiries during the application process. It is the student’s responsibility to contact financial aid offices, complete and file financial aid and scholarship applications, meet all deadlines, and supply the necessary information.

FinAid/ The Financial Information Page: www.finaid.org/ -- This site, sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), provides a "free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial aid." Areas of information are: Loans, Scholarships, Military Aid, Other Types of Aid, Financial Aid Applications, Answering Your Questions, Calculators, Beyond Financial Aid, and more.

FAFSA Online: www.fafsa.ed.gov/ -- Connect to this site to download the FAFSA and to complete the form electronically. Access other general financial aid information, benefit from the tips provided in filling out the FAFSA, and link to other educational resources as well.

.edu – Financial Aid (US News & World Report) : http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/dollars/dshome.htm -- This site provides links to access the FAFSA and other information about federal student aid. Check out the latest US News rankings of the Best Values, access a Guide for Parents, work out Expected Family Contribution on their worksheet, and conduct a scholarship search. The "Basics" sections provide just that – the basics that you need to get started.

Scholarships 101: http://www.scholarships101.com -- This site, by Pinnacle Peak Solutions, Inc. provides a wealth of information to students, parents, and counselors about financing a college education. Students may utilize a Scholarship Search Engine to search a database of over 8000 funding sources. Also included at this site are links to Government Programs (both Federal and State), information about Loan Programs, Top Tips, a Glossary of Terms as well as numerous links to other Helpful Sites regarding the world of financial aid

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Updated - November 08, 2007