Financial Aid

Planning Ahead for YourAcademic Future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kor_9cK593M&feature=player_embedded

Did you know…95%of Financial Aid is based on NEED!

5% Of Financial Aids Based on Merit(Scholarships)

• How much financial aid you receive depends upon your family income and the cost of the college.

• The lower the family income the more aid you can receive.

3 Ways to Get $$$ from College

Grants: This kind of money does NOT need to

be repaid

Loans: You can repay your loans AFTER

graduation with a LOW interest rate

Work Study: Work part-time on campus

Financial Aid Award

Financial Aid is usually awarded as a package deal. For example:

Grants = $2,000

Loans= $1,000

Work Study= $1500

Total Awarded= $4,500

What do you need to do?Choose your colleges and

apply for admission using www.applytexas.org

Apply for Financial Aid using the FAFSA website www.fafsa.edu.gov

Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible beginning January 1st.

The sooner you submit your form, they more likely you are to receive aid.

• To fill out the FAFSA, you need a copy of your parents’ 2012 U.S income tax return. If you are filing a return you need yours, too.

• File your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Complete a paper worksheet copy of the FAFSA before filling on - line.

PIN Number• To sign your FAFSA application on-line, and to make on-line

corrections you and your parents must apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number).

• To apply for a PIN go to www.pin.ed.gov• You need two PIN numbers: one for you and one for a

parent.

FASFA

The Process

WHERE TO

Local scholarships– the smaller the geographical area a scholarship covers the better your chances of winning– local community scholarships will be announced in the Spring (March)

Go on-line and use a FREE scholarship search service: www.wiredscholar.com or www.fastweb.com

Research college scholarships. Most scholarship $$$ is from colleges. Check out college web sites and college representatives.

Visit the WHS “GO Center” bulletin board for scholarship information.