Financial Aid and Scholarships

hen it comes to paying for school, you’re not alone. Grants, work-study and low-interest loans help make college affordable. Financial aid is available from a variety of sources for college, career school, graduate school and professional school. The Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education (studentaid.ed.gov) can help.

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Aid can come from the U.S. federal government, the state where you live, the college you attend or a nonprofit or private organization. Besides financial aid, you also should think about what you can do to lower your costs when you go to college.

The federal government offers a number of financial aid programs. Besides aid from the U.S. Department of Education (discussed below), you also might get: n Aid for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran n Tax benefits for education n An Education Award for community service with AmeriCorps n Educational and training vouchers for

Wcurrent and former foster care youth n Scholarships and loan repayment through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health and National Health Service Corps. The U.S. Department of Education awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds and low-interest loans to approximately 13 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid also can help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs.

Federal student aid includes:

n Grants—financial aid that does not have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund) n Loans— borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest n Work-study—a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school

Aid From the State of Florida

Even if you’re not eligible for federal aid, you might be eligible for financial aid from the state of Florida. The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance website (floridastudentfinancialaid.org) has all the tools you need to apply for financial aid from the state of Florida. The office also administers a variety of postsecondary educational state-funded grants and scholarships, and provides information to students, parents and high school and postsecondary professionals.

Florida Atlantic University

Financial Aid

and Scholarships

Palm Beach Atlantic University

All students seeking financial aid should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used to determine eligibility for most forms of federal, state and local aid. Students should contact their college’s financial aid office to determine that the FAFSA form has been received and what other aid they may be eligible to obtain. The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance can also assist students in attaining information and applying for state financial aid. Students may also be eligible for fee waivers and fee exemptions per Florida statute.

Aid From Your College or Career School

Many colleges offer financial aid from their own funds. Find out what might be available to you by: n Visiting your school’s financial aid page on its website, or asking someone in the financial aid office. n Asking at the department that offers your course of study; it might have a scholarship for students in your major. n Filling out any applications the school requires for its own aid, and meeting the deadlines.

Aid From a Nonprofit or Private Organization

Many organizations offer scholarships or grants to help students pay for college. This free money can make a real difference in how affordable your education is.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lotteryfunded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has helped more than 725,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary institution, is comprised of the following four awards: n Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award n Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award n Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC) award n Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award

Each award level has its own academic requirements, award amounts and funding length. A student may receive funding for only one award; the highest award earned will be selected. In addition to meeting academic requirements, students must also meet the general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.

The basic academic requirements for each Bright Futures award level include: n Sixteen credits in specific core courses: Math, English, Natural Sciences, Social Science, World Language (FAS/FMS only); and at least three full credits in a single Career and Technical Education program (GSV only) n Achieving the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for the desired award level n Achieving the required SAT or ACT test scores for the desired award level