Financial Aid
Paying for college can seem overwhelming, but a variety of financial aid opportunities are available to help students and families manage the cost of higher education. Financial aid may include scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans offered through colleges, state programs, and federal agencies. Understanding the financial aid process and completing important applications on time can open the door to valuable funding opportunities and make college more affordable. The resources below are designed to help students and families navigate each step of the financial aid process with confidence.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid comes in many forms and can help reduce the cost of attending college. Understanding the different types of financial aid can help students and families make informed decisions about paying for college.
Creating a StudentAid.
Gov
Account
Creating a StudentAid.gov account is an important first step in the financial aid process. Students and parents will need an account, known as an FSA ID, to complete and electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An FSA ID also allows users to access federal student aid information, review financial aid records, and manage student loans. Because the account verification process can take several days, families are encouraged to create their StudentAid.gov accounts well before completing the FAFSA.
Filling Out the FAFSA
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step in applying for financial aid and can open the door to scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. To help students and families navigate the process, FHS will host speakers on campus in the fall who will explain the FAFSA, answer questions, and provide guidance on completing the application. Additional resources and information are available below to support families as they prepare to apply for financial aid.
Understanding
FAFSA
Contributors
When completing the FAFSA, students may be required to invite contributors to provide information and electronically sign the application. Contributors can include parents, stepparents, or spouses, depending on the student’s individual circumstances. Being identified as a contributor does not mean that a person is financially responsible for paying for college; rather, it means that their financial information is needed to determine the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. Understanding who qualifies as a contributor and gathering the necessary information ahead of time can help make the FAFSA process smoother and more efficient.