Paying for College!

Navigating the college financial aid system requires patience, but it can be done! If you have questions along the way, contact the financial aid office of the college you are attending, or plan to attend. The financial aid office will help put together a “package” of available financial aid to help meet your needs. But it is still YOUR responsibility to apply for financial aid, and to search out funding opportunities such as local scholarships that can help reduce the cost of your education. And it all starts with:

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

This “mother of all financial aid forms” is free to fill out, with no obligation, so if you’re even thinking about going to college, be sure to make application to FAFSA. The FAFSA is also the application for Pennsylvania’s PHEAA grant and loan program!

You can get the “FAFSA on the Web” worksheet at the Hi-Ed or online. Fill it out online for the quickest response. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information! The FAFSA will help determine what federal and state aid you are eligible for. The two most common types of aid are grants and loans.

• Grants, such as the Federal Pell Grant and Pennsylvania PHEAA grants, do not have to be repaid. Generally, grants are based on need, cost of your college, and enrollment status.

• Loans, such as the Federal Stafford Loan and PHEAA’s Keystone loans, are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Maximum loan amounts depend on the student’s year in school. Parents may also borrow to pay education expenses for dependent students.

In addition to these federal and state financial aid sources, a number of local scholarships are available to both traditional-age and adult students! These scholarships have application deadlines in March, April, May and June, and some require the results of your FAFSA application to apply! For a list of these local scholarships and their application criteria, contact the Corry Area High School Guidance Office.