COLLINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Coordinated by the Guidance Department of Collinsville High School

Financial Aid Facts

1. Times have changed to favor the student in the financial aid process. Colleges and universities are competing to attract the good students.
2. If you qualify, don’t let the "sticker price" of the school scare you away. Do not rule out a private school until you have received the financial aid package from the school.
3. Your academic efforts in high school can make a very real difference in your later academic rewards.
4. Students and families should be assertive in negotiating financial aid packages.
5. To be eligible to receive federal/state financial aid, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Applying for financial aid is a process that can be made easier by taking it step-by-step.

1. Pick up the FAFSA from your high school guidance counselor. Complete the "Free Application for Student Aid" (FAFSA).
2. The FAFSA is due any time after January 1st of the year that you will be attending a college or university. Submit the form as soon as possible, but never before the first of the year.
    

The FAFSA is due any time after January 1 of the year that you will be attending a college or university. Submit the form as soon as possible, but never before the first of the year.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Websites

http://www.wiredscholar.com/ - free scholarship and planning services to help pay for your education

www.isac-online.org - Illinois Student Assistance Commission; includes Estimated Financial Contribution calculator

www.finaid.org - The financial aid information page; includes aid estimator and scholarship search

http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com/ - lists and describes scholarships offered by individual colleges and universities to all enrolled students meeting the specific criteria

http://www.get-recruited.com> offers students a chance to be recruited by, and perhaps be offered scholarships to attend, colleges, universities and graduate schools throughout the United States. This great service is absolutely free.

www.faam.org - Financial aid calendar, selecting a college, finding aid

www.gmsp.org/SOW4 - The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

www.chase.com/educationfirst - Information from the national bank about paying for college

www.plato.org - Apply for student loans on line

www.free-4u.com/ - Scholarships, including many for ethnic groups and minorities

www.blackstudentfund.org - Comprehensive program serving Black students in DC, Maryland, Virginia,and beyond

www.nasfaa.org - Information from NASFAA about applying for grants and loans

www.uncf.org - Financial aid from the United Negro College Fund

www.easi.ed.gov - Locate federal, state, and private sources of grants through links

www.petersons.com/index.html (formerly www.collegequest.com) - Financial aid and scholarships; Apply to over 1,299 college

www.yahoo.com/education/financial_aid/ - Provides links and information about companies that give aid

www.collegeview.com - Comparative college information from College View

www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/html/ssrchtop.html - 2000 scholarships, internships, and loan programs

www.collegescholarships.com - A list of scholarships from around the country

www.sciencewise.com/molis - Minority Online Information Services

www.fastweb.com - customized scholarship search; largest and most popular student resource web site!

www.fastaid.com - Largest and oldest private sector scholarship database

www.collegenet.com/mach25 - Database contains over 600,000 awards totaling over $1.6 billion dollars

www.collegeboard.org - Scholarship search and financial planning resource

www.grantsandfunding.com - Government information services/education funding

www.mapping-your-future.org - student site for aid and scholarships

www.embark.com/ - Choice of majors, careers, links to colleges, scholarship search

www.college-scholarships.com/free_scholarship_searches.htm - Free scholarship searches

www.fedmoney.org/grants/93820-00.htm - Scholarships for students with exceptional financial need

www.coca-colacompany.com - Scholarships sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company
 
 

Applying for Scholarships

START EARLY

Your freshman year is not too early to plan for scholarships academically, choose extracurricular activities that will highlight your strengths, and get involved in the community--all things that are important to those who make scholarship decisions.

SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

A couple of hours a week in the public library will help you learn about hundreds of scholarships and assess those for which you might qualify.

APPLY, APPLY, APPLY

One student applied for nearly 60 scholarships and was fortunate enough to win seven. "Imagine if I’d applied for five and only gotten one," she says.

PLAN AHEAD

It takes time to get transcripts and letters of recommendation. Letters from people who know you well are more effective than letters from prestigious names who know you only vaguely.

BE ORGANIZED

In the homes of scholarship winners you can often find a file box where all relevant information is stored. This method allows you to review deadlines and requirements often. Computerizing the information, if possible, allows you to change and update information quickly.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

Make sure you don’t disqualify yourself by filling the forms out incorrectly, missing the deadline, or failing to supply important information. Type your applications, if possible, and have someone proofread them.

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