Financial Aid & Scholarships

FAFSA

What is FAFSA and why does everyone want you to do it so bad? 
FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid." Turning in the FAFSA is your first step in finding out how much student money you may be entitled to. Much of it is free money to assist you attending college. You just need to fill out an application to see how you qualify. [Check out this video that helps explain FAFSA.]

Not planning on attending a 4-year institution?
It is a common myth that only 4-year university-bound students need to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA can pay for many trade school programs as well as apprenticeships and community college.

Not sure what to do after graduation?
Fill out the FAFSA! You want all your options available to you.

Scholarships

Scholarships are another way to help with college costs. Now is the time to register with scholarship websites. For a list of current scholarships available check SchooLinks. There may also be scholarships associated with your school that can be found here. Remember, volunteer work and/or community service is often required. You will also want to get letters of recommendations, if required, for your applications. Try to give your letter writers at least 2 weeks notice and include a copy of your resume and any specific information you would like them to include.

College Bound Scholars
The College Bound Scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge.
Find more information here

Web Resources:

College Bound Scholars logo

calculator and a paper with things written on it

College Success Foundation

Who We Serve
We serve the underserved—those who might not otherwise get to college without our help. Our scholars include young people from low-income families, students of color, foster youth and first-generation college students.

What We Do
We improve educational equity for underserved students through an integrated system of supports and scholarships. We support students academically, financially, socially and emotionally beginning in middle school, continuing through high school and college, and extending into our scholars’ post-college years to ensure success in life. 
CSF supports thousands of scholars annually.

Where We Serve
Our advisors work directly in schools which have high percentages of low-income students and where graduation rates are low. We partner with schools and districts striving to improve high school graduation rates and increase the number of graduates going directly to college.

Contact your school's College Success Foundation representative or College & Career Counselor today to learn more.