Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships

Scholarships describe any money for college or university that is awarded on a competitive basis by a college, business, or organization.  These awards are typically based on outstanding academic achievement, talent, or skill. Some scholarships are based on need. Scholarships are the most helpful way to make college and university affordable.

The following links provide helpful resources for students seeking scholarships:

To access a regularly updated list of scholarships please visit:
Fox C-6 College and Career Readiness
District scholarship list

FastWeb
National Scholarship Search Tool

A+ Scholarship
This program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.

Financial Aid

In addition to scholarships, there are several ways to help pay for the cost of  a college/university education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps identify the types and amount of the following types of aid students may qualify for.

Grants are a form of need-based financial aid and do not need to be repaid. Grants are identified through the FAFSA process.

Student Loans are funds loaned by the federal government to parents or students at a low interest rate for college-related expenses. Student loan opportunities are identified through the FAFSA process. 

Work-Study is an opportunity for students to work part-time while in college to help pay tuition costs. Work study opportunities are identified through the FAFSA process.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The federal government uses the online FAFSA to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid (grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans) to help pay for college.  You must file the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Completing the application is free and required by most colleges and universities to be eligible for financial aid.

FAFSA TIPS

  1. Complete the FAFSA early. Early submission maximizes a student's opportunity to receive financial aid. New timeline for completion of FAFSA submission date begins October 1, 2016.

  2. Submit the FAFSA even if you don't think you qualify for aid.

  3. You can complete the FAFSA before you file your taxes. The application allows you to estimate and enter final numbers later.

Helpful Links

FAFSA Website:  www.fafsa.ed.gov

US Department of Education financial aid information: www.ed.gov/finaid.html

Information about financial aid: www.finaid.org

College cost/loan calculators: www.finaid.org/calculators