FINANCIAL AID

Edward H. White High School Guidance Department January 2008

Kinds of Aid
2 basic kinds
Need-based aid Merit-based aid

Need-based Aid
Based on household income (tax information) In the form of Grants Work studies Sometimes loans Apply through the FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Factors Affecting Federal Aid

Student & family (mother/father) income Family size (i.e. brothers/sisters) Number of family members in college Family assets (i.e. savings) Additional income (i.e. child support) Exclusions

FAFSA
Important submission date! May 15 in Florida Not automatically renewable!! To apply, you will need: Social security number Federal tax information (W-2) Drivers license # (if you have one) Alien registration # (if youre not a U.S. citizen) Information on savings, investments and farm assets

Merit-based Aid
Based on merits GPA Test scores (ACT, SAT, etc.) Community service Organization/club involvement Performance in sports, music, art, etc.

Types of Merit-based Aid

Bright Futures All state-based aid Scholarships Private Institutional Sports Arts Most scholarships require an essay or portfolio of some kind = START EARLY!

Bright Futures Eligibility

GPA English Mathematics Sciences Social Studies Foreign Language Test Scores Community Service (for FAS) Bright Futures GPA = FACTS.org

Types of Bright Futures

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
Florida Gold Seal Vocational (GSV)

BEWARE!
Some scholarships require a need in addition to a certain merit or academic performance Read the application Start early Start early Start early GET ON IT NOW!