Money For College

Money for college comes from money different sources. The Majority of financial aid will be distributed by the colleges/universities to which you apply. Do not limit our college applications only to the schools that you and your parents can afford. Many highly competitive, private institutions have large amounts of financial aid available for students due to the donations of alumni and corporate sponsors.

Grants: Federal Aid that does not have to be paid back. It is based on need.

Scholarships: Typically based on achievement or talent. You may be required to maintain a set grade point or meet certain requirements. If you maintain those requirements, a scholarship is free.

Stafford/Perkins Loans: Low interest rate loans, which are disbursed through your college. (This money must be paid back)

Federal Work-Study: A program which provides part-time jobs for students with financial need to help them defray expenses. Jobs are usually on campus.

Private Aid Loans: Loans made by private lenders (banks, corporations) to pay for the cost of education. (This money must be paid back.)

Financial Aid Package: The total money for college which you will be offered from the colleges to which you applied. This information will come in your award letter. May include some or all of:

*Scholarships *Grants

*Work Study *Loans

Steps To Apply For

Financial Aid

Financial Aid assistance is based on need (or family’s ability to pay compare to the cost of attending college). Colleges and universities require that families fill out a FAFSA to be considered for any financial aid.

1.  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.

Complete online by:

i.  Apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov sometime in December of your Senior Year.

ii.  Fill out FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

2.  You will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR).

i.  If you completed the application on line, you should receive your SAR within 5 days.

ii.  If you completed the paper copy, you should receive your SAR in about two weeks.

3.  Check your SAR carefully.

If any answers are incorrect, correct and re-submit you SAR.

4.  If you designated colleges and universities on your FAFSA to receive your information, they will also receive a copy of your SAR. The individual institution will base your financial aid package on your SAR, and a financial aid package will be sent out to you from your college/university.

*Financial Aid Resources

* www.nacacnet.org/memberportal/forstudents/onlineresources/financialaid.htm

Air Force ROTC Scholarship www.afrotc.com / eStudent Loan www.estudentloan.com
American Student Assistance www.amsa.com / FastAid www.fastaid.com
ARTS Program – Scholarships for Performing, Visual and Literary Artists www.ARTSawards.org / FastWeb www.fastweb.com
Association for Financial counseling and Planning Education www.hec.ohio-state.edu/hanna/afcpe/index.htm / Federal Trade Commission: Scholarship Scams www.ftc.gov/dcp/conline/edscams/scholarship/
Broke Scholar www.brokescholar.com / FinAid www.finaid.org
Chase Manhattan Bank www.chase.com/educationfirst / Financial Aid Supersite www.financialaidsupersite.com
Citibank Student Loan Corporation www.studentloan.com / Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov
College Answer NACAC approved www.collegeanswer.com / Free Search www.freschinfo.com
College Board www.collegeboard.com/paying / Fundsnet Online Services www.fundsnetservices.com
College Connection Scholarships www.collegescholarships.com / Gates Millennium Scholars Program www.gmsp.org
College Savings Plan Network www.collegesavings.org / International Education Finance Corporation www.iefc.com
College Scholarship Search www.college-scholarships.com / International Education Financial Aid www.iefa.org
Discover Card Tibut Award Scholarships www.aasa.org/discover.htm / Jack Kent Cooke Foundation www.jackkentcookefoundation.org
The Education Resources Institute www.teri.org / Key Education Resources www.Key.com/educate
LoanStar Lenders www.loanstar.com / Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide
Massachusetts Educational financing Authority www.mefa.org / Student Loan Network www.studentloannetwork.com
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators www.nasfaa.org / Super College www.supercollege.com
Nellie Mae Loan Link www.nelliemae.org / Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation http://www.tgslc.org/
Next Student, Inc. www.nextstudent.com / TIAA-CREF Saving for College www.tiaa-cref.org/tuition
Sallie Mae www.salliemae.com / United Negro College Fund http://www.uncf.org/
Saving for College www.savingforcollege.com / U.S. Bank student Loans www.usbank.com/studentloans
Scholaraid www.scholaraid.com / U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/
Scholarship Resource Network www.srnexpress.com / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service www.gibill.va.gov
Scholarships NACAC approved www.scholarships.com / Wachovia www.wachovia.com
Smart Money www.smartmoney.com/college / Wells Fargo Education Resource Center www.wellsfargo.com/education_center
Southwest Student Services Corporation www.sssc.com