FAFSA:

All colleges require the FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid). Complete the form online at www.fafsa.gov or download paper forms there. You can even import your family’s tax information directly from the IRS website. The FAFSA application can be submitted as early as October. 1, 2019. Cost: Free

What is Federal Student Aid?

To qualify for many types of aid, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application gives you access to these types of aid:

• Grants and scholarships: money you don’t have to pay back

• Work-study jobs: paid, part-time work that’s generally on campus

• Loans: money you need to pay back, usually after you graduate

Who gets Federal Aid?

Every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age or family income. Some of the most basic eligibility requirements are that you must:

• demonstrate financial need

• be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

• have a valid Social Security number.

• register (if you haven't already) with the Selective Service if your a male between the ages of 18 and 25.

• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school; and

• show that you are qualified to obtain a college or career school education by

  • having a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate or state recognized equivalent;or

  • completing a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law; or

  • enrolling in an eligible career pathways program.

FAFSA TIP:

It is strongly recommended that you create an FSA ID, a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA® form electronically. Your FSA ID also can be used to access the myStudentAid app, sign loan contracts, and access certain information online. While you can get your FSA ID as you’re completing the FAFSA form online, getting it ahead of time and using it to begin your FAFSA form on fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays.

Other Types of Aid:

• Financial aid at the colleges you are applying to

  • Private scholarships you are eligible for

  • The FAFSA qualifies you for federal aid, but many state governments and colleges also use this application to award their own aid.

  • Seniors should check their NAVIANCE accounts for scholarships available; They are regularly updated and applications can be printed directly from the scholarship site.

Other Financial Aid Sites:

• U.S. Dept. of Ed - Financial Aid for Students

  • Student Guide to Federal Aid

  • FAFSA on the web

• Connecticut Mentor Financial Aid

• College Athletic Scholarships - Looking for a college athletic scholarship? Want to compete in college athletics? You're in the right place!

• http://www.salliemae.com/before_college/widget/

• FinAid - "SmartStudent" guide to financial aid.

• FinancialAidOfficer.com - provides parents and students with everything they need to know.

• Colleges, College Scholarships, and Financial Aid - also includes scholarship information!

• College Board - Homepage of the College Board, including an online financial aid calculator and information on scholarships.

• CollegeView.com - College, Financial Aid, and Scholarship Search Online.

• Embark.com - College, Scholarships, Careers, Majors and more.

• GoCollege - an enormous amount of information is available via this link including information about financial aid and online sample tests to help the college bound student refine test taking skills. Be advised: there are free and fee services here, so read carefully.

• InternationalStudentLoan.com - loans for study abroad and for international students.

• ParentPlusLoan.com - a federal student loan to help parents of undergraduates.

• StaffordLoan.com - provides information on this comprehensive federal student loan program.

• Thomson Peterson's College Bound Home - college, financial aid, essay help section, test review sections

• Wells Fargo's CollegeSTEP'S - "this is a scholarship program designed to give high school students a head start on planning for college. By registering with the program, students can receive electronic pastcards detailing vital college preparatory information..."

• Americorps Information about the Americorps and available education awards.

• AnyCollege.net - "...a college search engine designed to be the most user-friendly website available to prospective college students involved in the college search process."

• Federal Trade Commission Information on scholarship scams and how to avoid them.

• The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Provides general financial aid information for students and parents.

• FastWeb - "free scholarship and college planning information"

• Sallie Mae Loans - The company primarily provides federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), and offers comprehensive information and resources to assist students, parents and guidance professionals with the financial aid process.

• Scholarship Resource Network Express

• SchoolSoup.com: Search the world’s largest scholarship database, free of charge. SchoolSoup has over $32 billion in available scholarship awards. Click the start button to find free money for college.

• Student and Family Center: Plan for your education, part of the "Easy Access for Students and Institutions project developed by the government.

• Student Loan Marketing Association, student loan information from the Student Loan Marketing Association..

Connecticut Financial Aid Sites

• Connecticut Department of Higher Education, information about state programs and links to public and independent colleges and university Websites in CT.

• Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, loan information and other financial aid resources.

• University of Connecticut, Applying for financial aid at UCONN.

• Connecticut State University, the homepages of Central, Eastern, Southren and Western.

• Community-Technical Colleges of Connecticut, the homepage of Connecticut's 12 community-technical colleges.