Financial Aid

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SENIORS! Listen up!

If there is one task you do for your post-high school plans, it is to begin the FAFSA process ASAP!

You do not need to to know your actual plans or the College or program you may attend. You do not have to wait for your 2025 taxes, complete FAFSA now!

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

Why?

Students who file the FAFSA the month it opens tend to get more than twice as much grant aid, on average, as students who file the FAFSA later. So, file the FAFSA as soon as possible to maximize your aid eligibility.

Tips -> https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/pro-tips

The Application -> https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

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 a 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:

• How to read your financial aid award letter: Mapping Your Future

• Determining the cost of attendance (COA): Cost of Attendance

• Cost of Attendance Comparison

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.

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)!!