| Financial aid is much simpler than folks think. | | | | submits on the free federal financial aid form |
| Essentially, it's a question of understanding a few | | | | (FAFSA). Students must submit a FAFSA (on paper |
| basic terms, including the often misunderstood | | | | or online) if they wish to apply for need-based |
| meaning of "financial aid". | | | | financial aid. |
| Financial aid comes in various forms; scholarships, | | | | At some colleges only a FAFSA is required. Other |
| grants (essentially the same as scholarships), work | | | | colleges may require you to complete their own |
| study funds, tuition waivers, fellowships, teaching | | | | institutional financial aid form as well. |
| assistantships (the last two for graduate students), | | | | Student who qualify by virtue of need may be |
| and loans. And, financial aid can come to students | | | | offered work study jobs in college offices or at |
| from government, private, and college/university | | | | non-profit agencies in nearby communities. |
| sources. | | | | Students with financial need, as established by the |
| Many people think the terms scholarships and financial | | | | FAFSA, may qualify for government subsidized, low |
| aid are synonymous. Actually, scholarships...also called | | | | interest loans. Those without need can also borrow, |
| grants...are one form of financial aid. Scholarships, | | | | but at higher interest rates. |
| requiring no repayment, are frequently awarded to | | | | Once you understand the terms we have just |
| high achievers, students whose abilities may be | | | | discussed, there is not too much more you have to |
| valued, or students whose families belong to a | | | | know or do. Just meet all deadlines, carefully read all |
| sponsoring organization (church, civic organization, | | | | financial aid information available to you, and do not |
| corporation, etc.). | | | | hesitate to contact your college office of financial aid |
| Not all financial aid requires demonstration of financial | | | | if you have questions or problems of any kind. |
| need. A student's financial aid is determined by a | | | | Best wishes as you pursue your education. |
| formula which is applied to the answers a student | | | | |