Financial Aid for College

There are many financial aid programs families may wish to investigate. In most cases financial need must be documented. "Need" is calculated by determining the difference between the cost of education (tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, personal expenses) at the school you select and the amount that the Financial Aid Form (FAF) or Family Financial Statement (FFS) says the family should be able to contribute.

Types of Financial Assistance:

The types of financial assistance listed below are frequently combined to make up a financial aid "package." Since one source of aid may not cover the full need, students are encouraged to consider applying for a variety of financial aid programs in order to increase their potential for receiving aid.

• Scholarships: Do not require repayment and may be based upon financial need and/or academic performance.
• Grants: These funds do not have to be repaid and usually are based only upon demonstrated financial need.
• Loans: Require repayment after the student leaves school. Evidence of demonstrated financial need is generally required.
• Employment: Federal work-study program is based on demonstrated need. Students can also earn money through part-time work on or off campus without demonstrating financial need.

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How Aid is Determined:

Because the demand for student aid exceeds the supply of dollars available, most financial aid programs must limit their awards to students who can show that they "need" money according to a nationally accepted formula.

How is this determination made? The families of students who apply for financial aid are asked to fill out a financial statement, itemizing their resources and debts. From this information an "expected family contribution" amount is determined. This is the total amount of money that the family will be expected to provide toward the student’s educational expenses for the school year. If you would like to find out more about how this "expected family contribution" amount is determined, pick up a copy of either Meeting College Costs or Applying For Financial Aid, both available in the Counseling Office.

If the expected family contribution figure is less than the cost for attending the school involved, "need" for financial assistance has been demonstrated.

SCHOOL EXPENSES FORMULA:

Financial Need - Expected Family Contribution = Amount of Financial Assistance Needed

Basic Steps to Follow in Applying for Financial Aid:

A. Take the SAT  - State of Michigan Scholarship

Every college applicant should take the SAT because the state scholarship program for students going to public and private Michigan colleges is based on the results of this test. Most students take the SAT in March-April or June of their junior year. The last opportunity for immediate state scholarship consideration is the October test date of the senior year.

B. Complete the necessary financial aid forms
 

1. Students should contact the financial aid office of the college or university of their choice to determine the procedure for making application for financial aid.
2. Almost all schools will request that students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between October 1 and February 15. Early filing is encouraged so that the student can take maximum advantage of the state aid programs as well as those available through the colleges.

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Sources of Financial Aid:

A. Federal Programs
 

1. PELL GRANT PROGRAM: Available on the basis of demonstrated need to undergraduate students attending eligible vocational schools or colleges anywhere in the nation on at least a half-time basis. Application information is available both through the GHS Counseling Office and the post-secondary school financial aid offices. Most schools require students to apply for a Pell Grant before they can be considered for other sources of aid administered by the school.
2. SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant): These grants are for students who have serious money problems: $200 to $2000 a year.
3. CWSP (College Work Study Program): Graduate and undergraduate students may be selected for employment.

B. State of Michigan Student Assistance Programs
 

1. MICHIGAN COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Available to Michigan students attending public and non-public Michigan colleges and universities or approved non-profit Michigan vocational schools. The first step in the application process is to take the SAT or American College Test (ACT) prior to college entry and release the scores to the State of Michigan, code 2076. Students qualifying on this examination must then submit a FAFSA.
2. MICHIGAN TUITION GRANT PROGRAM: Available on the basis of demonstrated need to Michigan students attending non-public, degree-granting Michigan colleges and universities. The FAFSA is required for application. It is available through the GHS Counseling Office and the financial aid office at each eligible non-public Michigan college and university.
   (NOTE: Students cannot receive both a State Competitive Scholarship and a Tuition Grant at the same time.)
3. GUARANTEED STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM: Students can borrow funds for study at eligible colleges or vocational schools anywhere in the world if they meet program eligibility requirements. Requests for application forms can be made through participating private Michigan lenders (banks, savings & loan associations and credit unions). Michigan students unable to obtain a Guaranteed Student Loan from a private lender can inquire about a Guaranteed Student Loan made by the State Direct Student Loan Program through the financial aid office at their chosen college, university or vocational school.
4. PARENT & SUPPLEMENTAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM: Parents can borrow for their dependent children and independent undergraduates, and graduate students can borrow for themselves for study at eligible schools. Requests for these loans are made through participating Michigan lenders (banks, savings associations and credit unions).
5. LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Each year, many dollars are made available through local organizations for graduating seniors. The availability of such funds varies from year to year. The GHS Counseling Office will have forms and applications for all local scholarships.

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Websites to Visit for More Detailed and/or Specific Information:

Sallie Mae 
Finaid: A guide to financial aid
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education/Parents
Grants for Students with Disabilities
MSU Scholarship Services
Michigan Student Aid
Scholarship Hunter
Go College: The Student's Reference to Finding Money and Getting the Most Out of a College Education 
NASFAA: National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators
Education Grant Benefits and Opportunities
Fastweb: Scholarships, internships, colleges and more
Federal Student Aid
Chegg: Online textbook rentals, homework help, online tutoring, scholarships and internship matching for high school and college students
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: Overview of college resources for students with disabilities
Accounting and Finance Scholarships

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