Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
Scholarship Opportunities
1) All scholarships, which the counseling office is made aware of, will be posted monthly in English and Social Studies classrooms, as well as in the counseling office and on the counseling website.
2) Also available in the couseling office are various books listing different scholarships that are available.
3) Fast Web offers a free internet scholarship search at www.fastweb.com. Students enter information about themselves and the program will tell them what scholarship they are eligible for based on their individual portfolios. Students are given a password and can check periodically for updates in their scholarship list. (If using this search, students should use the school’s address in order to avoid having their physical addresses and personal information connected on the internet).
4) In March, a list of all local scholarships will be given to seniors. Students must review this list to determine which scholarships they are eligible for and let the counseling office know which applications they need.
It is very important to follow directions and pay attention to deadlines on all scholarship applications!
Financial Aid Information
1) All students will be required to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at [Link]www.fafsa.ed.gov in order to be eligible for financial aid (in the form of scholarship and/or loan money) at any college in the United States. This form can be accessed at www.fafsa.ed.gov and
should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1st (see separate article for “Filling out the FAFSA Online”). If taxes are not done yet, estimate and corrections can be made later. Many need-based grants are given on a first come first serve basis, so it is important to submit this form as soon after January 1st as possible.
*A few days after your FAFSA is submitted, you will receive an emailed Student Aid Report (SAR). This needs to be checked for accuracy and returned, as soon as possible, with any changed information.
2) If you are applying to any New York State schools, you must also submit a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application in order to be eligible for NYS aid. This can be accessed immediately after submitting your FAFSA online or by going to www.hesc.com. Some of the TAP application will be pre-filled based on information you submitted on your FAFSA. Check all answers for accuracy, fill in the blank areas, and then submit.
It is important to read all of the information regarding the college(s) you are applying to in order to meet all deadlines. PROFILE Applications are usually due with your college application or soon after. There is a fee for the PROFILE application.
4) Finally, many colleges have their own financial aid applications that need to be filled out in addition to the state and federal forms. Again, it is important to read all of the information carefully regarding the college(s) you are applying to and pay attention to all deadlines.
**Any questions? See your counselor!!
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