Financial Aid/Scholarships

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. They assist students who demonstrate a financial need with federal grants, loans and work study funds.

Click here to start your FAFSA Application

Students can submit their FAFSA any time between December 1 and March 1 of their senior year. Financial Aid offices often encourage families to file earlier, if possible, as students will then have the greatest chance of receiving financial aid. Please check college and universities' Financial Aid webpages for specific school deadlines.

FSA ID
In order to complete your FAFSA, both you and a parent will need to create an FSA ID in order to electronically sign your application.

click here to Create your FAFSA ID

If you are looking for scholarship information, please see this Paying for College PDF for important information!

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Scholarship Information

Scholarships are a great way for students to get extra financial help for college tuition and other expenses. The majority of scholarships we receive information about, including the types listed below, are available for senior students to apply for. Underclassmen can start browsing scholarships by using the below search engines, but please keep in mind that typically applicants are in 12th grade.

Merit Based Scholarships

Many colleges provide scholarships that are automatically awarded to applicants based on academic qualifications (GPA and SAT or ACT scores) provided on the application for admission. These scholarships are typically awarded on a first come, first served basis and students need to be mindful of deadlines. Merit based scholarships are typically renewable from year to year a long as the student maintains a certain level of academic performance while in college.

College Specific Scholarships

Many colleges offer a variety of endowed or departmental scholarships. These scholarships vary based on interests, academic performance, special talents or major. Once offered admission, students can apply for these types of scholarships, typically found on the college's Financial Aid & Scholarship websites. Students may also qualify for scholarship competitions. An additional registration for the competition is often required and space is often limited. Students need to be mindful of deadlines.

Michigan Specific Grants & Scholarships

The State of Michigan offers various grants and scholarships to students. Eligibility requirements include Michigan residency; U.S. citizenship, permanent resident or approved refugee status; FAFSA completion; a high school diploma or certificate of completion; and the student be enrolled at least half time at an approved Michigan college or university. Students can find more information at https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid.

National Scholarships & Other Scholarship Search Tools

Scholarships offered at the national level are awarded to students of all ages and levels of education. The funding for scholarships can be based on a variety of criteria, unique talent or particular hobby. Utilize scholarship searches to create an organized, manageable list of scholarships that your student will actually qualify for based on a profile provided:

Be aware that some colleges may adjust the amount of their award based on the amount of outside or national scholarships received. Contact the university financial aid office for more information.

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