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Financial Aid

fasfa

FASFA GUIDE/TRAINING DATES

1. Watch the FAFSA video that we partially showed you during the November 19 Senior meeting. This video is for both students and parents. A link to the video is in your Senior Classroom page and SchooLinks.

2. SKIP TO STEP 3 IF YOU HAVE AN FSA ID. Students and parents! Need help navigating FAFSA or need a reliable device to apply from? Want to learn how to apply to available scholarships and grants? Students and Parents can attend a FAFSA Workshop January 13, 2025 from 6-7pm in Room 207 - OHS Main Building upstairs. See Ms Frey for more information. Things to have on hand: Your 2023 tax information, if an Interpreter is required, email Ms Frey by Dec 19 freyg@orting.wednet.edu. Safely bring/know your social security # and you must register for their FSA ID three days before the meeting at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

3. RIGHT NOW! Head to the FAFSA Registration Page and create an account (Beta is open to all right now to get started).

*NOTES

Please double check you are applying to 2025-2026 year for FAFSA. When you complete your financial aid now, you are to be applying for the Fall 2025 school year (post high school).

FASFA is for all students heading to any type of college, apprenticeship or trade/unions.

FASFA has 2 application sections - STUDENT + PARENT. With the exception of some students who may be considered Independent according to the questions the application will present. 

Undecided on where you will go or what you will do post-high school? Apply anyway or see Ms Frey for some guidance. You may already have money on the table and this may help you decide future plans. Remember, most money is 'Use it or Lose it'. 

MORE MONEY!

FASFA is not where it ends, but is where to start! Here are ways to find more money...

FASFA = Federal money. There is also State money and you can find all available grants and advice at Washington Student Achievement Council 

Scholarships! Along with some local scholarships we will announce in your Senior Google Classroom, your search should start at WashBoard! This is your scholarship-match site! Answer questions and get access to scholarships that match your mission, GPA, interests, location and more!

College Monies! As soon as you commit to a College, Community College or Trade then search your program/school for in-house scholarships that may be available to you from the school. Also, ask your program/college about Work Study options. You can 'work' a job on campus and get paid in the form of tuition money!

Loans! Last resort and definitely an option. REMEMBER! You have to pay these back. Understand the difference between Subsidized Loans and Unsubsidized Loans and choose wisely! Also, you will often get offered more money than you need (after scholarships, grants and Financial Aid). Borrow ONLY what you need in the end, NOT what you want. Paying loans back is always harder than spending the tempting money up front. One more time...ONLY BORROW WHAT YOU NEED...AVOID THE TEMPTATION OF EXTRA LOAN MONEY (again, loan money must be paid back)!!

The WASFA is Washington State's free application for student aid for undocumented students. The WASFA opened this year in January. Please visit the Ready, Set, Grad website for eligiblity information and to apply!

In Spanish: 
¿Qué es FAFSA?
Tutorial Completo FAFSA 2024-2025 en Español: Guía Paso a Paso
EL PROCESO DE LA FAFSA
 

Senior families! Don't forget your local OHS resource, Ms. Frey - simply email her to make an appointment! Did you know? Financial aid is a 5-step process! See this website for details

Websites

In English:
FAFSA resources directly from their website (in English and Spanish)
FAFSA Q&A
Mapping Your Future -Newsroom about College Mapping- new tips posted regularly
MyinTuition site provides a tool to give families clear answers to college costs
Student Loans Explained

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are several types of financial aid:

  1. Federal and State grants (money you don't pay back)

  2. Scholarships - can be local, through the college of attendance, and nationwide (money you don't pay back)

  3. Work study (money you earn; can directly help pay for tuition, or student can earn a paycheck)

  4. Loans (money you pay back)

Financial aid awards may include a combination of the various types of aid.
There are numerous online resources explaining financial aid. Here are just a few:
Family financial circumstances can change from the tax filing year noted within the FAFSA, to the actual year the student begins college. There are ways to receive more aid by filing an appeal with the college's financial aid office. Here are some steps on how to appeal a financial aid award. Swiftforms offers templates for Financial Aid Award Appeals based on family circumstances!
Don't forget your college's financial aid resources - All colleges have financial aid officers on staff. Simply search the financial aid website of your college to get help.