Scholarships and Financial Aid Information
Paving the path for the future comes with a cost. Continuing education can be expensive but there are ways to ease that burden.. Here are some suggestions:
The sooner you start saving the better. Check into college funds and investments early on. save, save, and save!
Financial Aid:
Fill out a FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All students must fill this out to be considered for federal financial aid programs (this includes student loans). Paper applications can be requested by calling 1 800-4FEDAID, but the most efficient way to apply is online at www.fafsa.edu.gov.
You and your parents must fill out your tax forms before applying. The FAFSA requires an estimated income from your taxes. This does not mean you have to wait until your tax returns are processed before you apply. They are interested in the near dollar amount that is being claimed.
Scholarships:
Apply for scholarships ASAP. Some scholarship tips are:
o Take the scholarship newsletters given out in Sr. English and in the guidance office for scholarships.
o Find out if your employer and/or your parents employer offers scholarships.
o Local scholarships may be more promising because there is less competition. There are many local scholarships given out here at Midland High School. Many of the apps are given out for these from January to March –pay attention to the announcements.
o Always check direct scholarships from the college you plan to attend.
o For general scholarship searches explore scholarship search engines:
Look at major corporation websites ex. Target, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, McDonalds etc. - Be hesitant to pay for any scholarship applications-it could be a scam.