Many types
of financial aid and scholarships are available to help families meet
college costs.
·
Federal aid
is available
in the form of grants, loans and work-study.
·
State aid can include
various types of need and non need-based programs.
·
Colleges and
universities themselves
provide funds for students
·
Private scholarships from corporations,
associations, employers, civic groups, churches, and many other sponsors
are another source of funds.
Keep in mind that while tuition and fees at some colleges and universities may seem high, costs at other institutions are relatively low. Make sure you explore various options and apply for all types of financial aid for which you are eligible. College can be within your financial reach
What do you
need to do?
1.
Complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
to determine eligibility for Federal aid and many other types of need-based
aid.
2.
Check with
your state scholarship
office to find out
about grants and scholarships available to residents of your state.
3.
Contact the
colleges you plan to attend to verify
application requirements and deadlines. (Does your admission deadline
have an impact on your eligibility for institutional scholarships?)
4.
Research and
apply for private scholarships.
We have provided
links to the DC, MD and VA state financial aid programs and to many scholarship
search databases in our More Resources
section. Check out our Fact Sheet
on applying to private scholarships.
Remember
that we're here to help you complete the process. If you have
questions about the various financial aid programs or the application
process, we encourage you to visit the CIC for assistance.