We encourage every senior, regardless of their families' financial history, to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Many schools will not offer scholarships or work study unless you have filed the FAFSA. You will also not be eligible for need-based financial aid unless you fill out this form. Application forms will be distributed to seniors sometime in the late fall and should be submitted as soon AFTER JAN. 1 as you can.
Your application must be received by the application processor by June 30.
Financial Aid Information on the Internet
The Financial Aid Information Page - provides a free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial aid.
Students applying for federal student aid must complete the FAFSA. This guide contains important instruction for filling out the form correctly.
If you are interested in applying for a grant or contract, here is information you'll need to know. Department guidelines, regulations, and funding opportunities are available here. Interested in student financial assistance? That's in this section, too.
Student financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
This site offers useful information on a range of financing options including scholarships, grants, and student loans.
This site is designed to offer college bound students, parents, and counselors easy access to information on colleges and universities throughout the U.S., free scholarship searches, test preparation tips, and more.
Strategies to cut college costs and more!
Students now have a simpler way to borrow money to attend college - the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Find out how students borrow quickly and easily from the federal government.
Scholarship Information
Scholarship information is available and updated on a weekly basis in the Guidance Department. It is up to each individual student to research and apply for scholarships! A list of available scholarships is posted in the Guidance Office.
Two different kinds of scholarships will become available for students (mainly seniors) during the school year. They are:
- Nationally based scholarships - students are in competition with other students across the nation; these usually arrive in the fall.
- Local scholarships - organizations in the community who offer scholarships to deserving students; competition is local; these usually arrive in the spring.
The scholarships that are offered, whether national or local, come in two forms ... merit-based or need-based. Merit-based scholarships are based on how well a student has done in school or rather, their GPA and Test Scores. Need-based scholarships are based on a family's financial status. Both kinds of scholarships usually place emphasis on a student's extracurricular activities and volunteer work.
This site offers valuable tips on mastering the scholarship essay, developing a scholarship game plan, and dispenses other valuable tips:
Free On-line Searches
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
BRIGHT FUTURES Scholarship Program
***Students can arrange to use the computers in the Media Center or contact the Guidance Office to go through any of these programs.
