Financial Aid

What is Financial Aid?

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

Financial aid is money to help pay for your postsecondary education.  Financial aid can be grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study programs.  Types and sources of financial aid include:

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID	SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
Merit-based Scholarships (e.g., HOPE Scholarship) Need-based Grants (e.g., Pell Grant) Non-need Based Grants (e.g., HOPE Grant) Student or Parent Loans Work-Study Programs Military AId Grants	Federal Government State Government Colleges & Universities Private Foundations Employers & Private Companies Professional & Service Organizations

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships are competitive. You face a national pool of applicants. Your best alternative might be to search for scholarships that are local to your city or state. Completing a scholarship search is the best way to begin. Try www.fastweb.com.

Watch for Financial Aid Scams

Check the scholarship of your interest as a possible scam at www.finaid.org

Financial Aid Based on Need

Many students receive need based financial aid. Completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in October of your senior year is essential in this process. You should, however, complete a financial estimator form to determine before you get your FAFSA results just how much college will cost you. 

In general, your financial need is determined by two factors:

1. Cost of Attendance (COA) is tuition, fees, room and board, transportation and other costs associated with attendance established by the school.
2. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined from what you report on the FAFSA.

COA-EFC=Financial Need

EFC - Expected Family Contribution

This is an important index in determining how much college will cost your family.

More information, including a worksheet, can be found at www.fafsa.gov

Complete a financial aid estimator at one of these sites.

The College Board Online            Financial Aid Information Page   

Search for scholarships at any of these sites.

• College Board Fundfinder 

• FAFSA On-Line

• FastWeb - Financial Aid Search   

• Financial Aid Information Page 

• Office of Postsecondary Education US Government

• Paying For School

• Sallie Mae: Student Loan Marketing Association

• ScholarStuff: Colleges and Universities: United States

HOW DO I APPLY FOR HOPE OR FINANCIAL AID?

To apply for HOPE (scholarship or grant) or to apply for financial aid (loans or grants) you will need to file your FAFSA.
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (you will need previous year tax returns and you CANNOT apply until after January 1st during senior year). Remember that it is FREE to file at www.fafsa.gov. 

THE FAFSA: YOUR KEY TO FINANCIAL AID

With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can apply for financial aid for multiple colleges and funding sources.  Visit fafsa.gov to begin your online application.

The FAFSA is available each year after January 1st.  If you a senior and planning to attend college in the fall after graduation, you should begin the FAFSA application process in October of your senior year.  

OTHER FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS

The FAFSA may not be the only application you have to submit in order to receive financial aid.  You may also need to complete other institutional applications.  Be sure to contact your school(s) of interest or visit their website to find out what other forms or applications are required.

Georgia Student Financial Aid Application System (GSFAPPS) is also an acceptable application method for most scholarship and grant programs administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), such as the HOPE Scholarship.  You can complete the GSFAPPS on gafutures.org.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

GAfutures.org:  Learn about federal and Georgia-specific financial aid programs, find school profiles and explore various career paths.

FAFSA.gov:  Complete and track your Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Studentaid.gov:  Find information to help get ready for college, learn about federal student aid and how to apply using the FAFSA.

WHAT IS GSFC?

The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is the state agency committed to helping Georgia residents achieve their higher education dreams by providing a wide range of financial aid services.  GSFC works closely with high school and college administrators to ensure that Georgia students are able to take full advantage of all available financial aid opportunities.