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Financial Aid

Paying for college is not as scary as it seems. Financial aid is here to help! Learn about the different types of aid, and how to decide which are right for you. Click here to jump down to scholarships. 

FAFSA

What is it?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the first step in the financial aid process. It is used to apply for federal student aid, such as grants (free money), loans (money you pay back after college), and work-study (guaranteed employment through your college). In Pennsylvania, information from the FAFSA is also used to determine student eligibility for the PA State Grant. The FAFSA asks for information about you and your family's financial situation. Fill it out here. 

What information do I need to fill it out?

The FAFSA asks for basic personal and financial information about yourself and your parents (if you live with your parents and are financially supported by them). Use this checklist to make sure you all the required documents. Not sure which parent or guardian should complete the FAFSA? Use this guide if your parents are divorced or separated. If you are adopted, in foster care, or live with a family member who is not your biological parent, watch this video starting at 3:48 for whose information to use. 

When do I fill out the FAFSA?

Your senior year. In Pennsylvania, the FAFSA opens on October 1st, and is due by May 1st. However, you should start as early as possible to get the most aid, as some state grants run out the closer you get to the deadline. We recommend no later than Winter Break. If you know it will take some time to get financial information from a parent, make sure to talk to them about the FAFSA early in the fall so you're not still waiting on those documents by the deadline. 

What happens next?

After you file, it can take up to 6 weeks to hear back. Once the Department of Education finished reviewing your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is how much they expect you to pay in out of pocket costs for college. It's not necessarily the amount you will pay, because you might be awarded merit based aid from your college, and you can apply for scholarships.

 

At the same time, the colleges and universities you said you were applying to will receive your financial information. If you are accepted, they use the EFC, plus your achievements during high school, to create your financial aid package. 

for more FAFSA help, visit this guide or talk to your counselor

FAFSA
Financial Aid

Understanding Financial Aid 

Understanding the difference between grants, loans, work study, scholarships, and special types of aid.

What are all these acronyms?? Find out here.

Make sure you understand what is being offered to you, and what you are expected to pay, so you can make the best possible decisions for college. 

Use the Compare Your Aid Awards Tool to break down the differences between the financial aid packages from up to four schools.  Tips on comparing aid awards here.

Don't worry, it's not the end of the road. You can negotiate with the financial aid office at the college of your choice if the aid you received is not enough for you to afford attending. Here's how. 

If your financial situation has changed due to family job loss, illness, or other hardship, you can request a "Change in Circumstances" form. Remember, the financial information you submit in your FAFSA is from two years ago. If your family's income doesn't look the same now as it did then, this form may help you get additional aid.

Scholarships

Tips for Applying

Searching: There's a scholarship for just about everything. You can qualify for scholarships based on your background, interests, abilities, financial situation, achievements, writing ability, or based on what you want to study in college. Before looking for scholarships, think about all the different identities, passions, activities and goals that make you who you are. If you're not sure what you might qualify for, talk to a teacher or guidance counselor for advice. You'd be surprised just how many unique scholarships are out there. Colleges also offer their own scholarships - look on their website to find them.

Before Applying: Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Even if you write a great essay, you will not be awarded the scholarship if you do not qualify. Every scholarship has different requirements, such as living in a certain neighborhood or going into a specific major, so be sure to check.

 

Applying: Many scholarships require an essay. Some ask for a personal statement (which you can re-use from college!) and some have a specific prompt. Like any essay, start early, write multiple drafts, and get feedback. 

 

Scholarship deadlines run from as early as October to as late as July! Make browsing for new scholarships a regular habit, but start early because most are over by the Spring.

Scholarship Search Engines

The Philadelphia Foundation Scholarships​: Local scholarships 

FastWeb: Over 1.5 millions scholarships totaling $3.4 billion in funding. Make a profile to be matched with the best scholarships for you

Scholly: Another great personalized search engine, that’s also an app! 

 

BigFuture: Personalized scholarship results, plus internships, and other financial aid info

Seed Your Future: Scholarships in Horticulture, Agriculture, and more.

 

Scholarships for DACA/ Undocumented Students

 

Scholarships with No Essay

Scholarships
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