Student Corner: Financial Aid

This page offers an overview of resources for financial aid: scholarships, loans, FAFSA, and much more!

1. Financial Aid
   1. Research the types of financial aid you qualify for.
      1. https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types
      2. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
      3. https://oedb.org/advice/financial-aid-for-high-school-students/
   2. Keep track of deadlines. (Use a spreadsheet.)
      1. https://www.google.com/sheets/about/
   3. Identify financial aid support that you don’t have to pay back.
      1. Keep track of loans versus scholarships.
   4. Keep in mind how your grades and financial need will affect your applications.
   5. Study the financial aid websites for colleges and universities you’re interested in. 
   6. Apply to as many scholarships as you find feasible; it can’t hurt.
      1. https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/the-20-college-scholarships-for-the-class-of-2020
   7. Keep your grades steady or improving throughout all of high school.
   8. Do volunteer work and join student organizations; take leadership roles. Universities like to see that you’re well rounded!
   9. Search beyond the well-known scholarships. There are lots of small scholarships out there, but they add up!
      1. http://www.easttennesseefoundation.org/scholarships-grants/scholarships
   10. Continue to search for scholarships throughout the year.