Types of Financial Aid
This federal financial aid form is required to apply for most forms of financial aid.
What is the FAFSA?
This is a type of scholarship that is specific to one college/university. To be eligible to apply or awarded, you'll be measured off merit or need. Can be small to full-rides.
What is an Institutional Scholarship?
This free online resource offers practice tests, personalized study plans, and instructional videos for both the ACT and SAT.
What is Khan Academy?
Known for offering two-year programs, these schools often help students transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce quickly.
What is a Community College?
This type of admission allows students to apply early and receive an admission decision before the regular deadline, with the understanding that if accepted, they will attend the institution
What is Early Decision?
These are funds that do not need to be repaid and are often awarded based on financial need, academics, or specific eligibility criteria.
What are scholarships?
This is a type of scholarship that is open to students across the U.S., typically highly competitive, and larger dollar amounts.
What is a National Scholarship?
This is the person you go to at school to access a fee waiver and register for the SAT and ACT.
What is a Guidance Counselor?
These instituions are government-funded that provide affordable higher education opportunities to a broad population of students, with significant benefits for in-state residents.
What is a Public College/University?
This type of admission allows students to apply early and receive an admission decision before the regular deadline, but it is not binding.
What is Early Action?
Is a federal student loan offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help undergraduate students pay for college. The key feature of this loan is that the government pays the interest while the student is in school.
What is a Direct Subsidized Loan?
This type of scholarship is specific to students who are located in a certain county, high school, or state. Typically less competitive.
What is a Local Scholarship?
This standardized test evaluates a student's skills in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, with an optional Essay section.
What is the SAT?
These institutions rely on private funding sources and donations, and tend to offer smaller, more personalized learning environments. Their cost of attendance is more expensive but offer more financial aid.
What is a Private College/University?
This type of college application process has a later deadline, typically in January or February, and students find out their admission status in March or April, with no binding commitment.
What is Regular Admission?
Is a federal student loan offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help students pay for college or career school.The borrower is responsible for paying the interest that accrues on the loan during all periods.
What is a Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
This type of scholarship is awarded to students based on their academic, athletic, artistic, or other achievements, rather than on financial need. These scholarships are typically offered by colleges, universities, private organizations, foundations, and sometimes corporations.
What is a Merit-based scholarship?
This standardized test assesses a student’s knowledge in English, Math, Reading, and Science, and includes an optional Writing section.
What is the ACT?
These college or universities where most of the students are White. These schools may offer opportunities for students of all racial backgrounds, some students of color may face challenges related to feeling underrepresented or isolated.
What is a PWI (Predominantly White Institution)?
This online platform allows students to apply to multiple colleges with one application, including personal information, essays, and transcripts.
What is the Common App?
This federal aid program provides students with part-time jobs to help pay for college expenses, based on financial need.
What is the Federal Work-Study Program?
This is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount a student receives is based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
What is a Pell Grant?
This score on the SAT or ACT is considered a perfect score.
What is 1600 on the SAT or 36 on the ACT?
These colleges or universities have a rich history of providing education to African American students. These institutions offer a supportive and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to succeed academically while embracing their cultural heritage
What is a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)?
This financial aid application, used by many private colleges and universities, collects detailed information about your family’s finances to help determine eligibility for non-federal aid.
What is the CSS Profile?