• Decide where to attend – This may sound elementary, but many of our students put this off until the last minute. There are many advantages to making this decision early.
• Apply – Students will not be considered for Scholarships or Federal Financial Aid until they are accepted into the college. Most colleges have a deadline for scholarships and if a student is not accepted by that date then they will not qualify.
  
  
• Schedule a visit – Sit down with the admissions and financial aid experts. They are the best source of information when it comes to their college.
  
  
• Sign up for a FAFSA pin number at www.pin.ed.gov. The student and parent both need a pin number. The pin number serves as an electronic signature. If you are filing a paper FAFSA then you don’t need a pin, however, the online application is recommend. It is much more efficient.
  
  
• Sign up to participate in COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY. College goal Sunday is on February 10 th at 2:00pm. College Admission Officers and Financial Aid Directors will go over the Federal Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) line by line and answer any and all of your questions. The process takes about 1.5 hours. On-line sign up: www.ohiocollgegoalsunday.org – You will need your 2007 Income Tax Information.

Useful Web Sites
FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov

Scholarship searches
www.fastweb.com
www.gocollege.com
www.WeeklyScholarshipAlert.org

Financial Aid Estimator & College Search
www.act.org

Additional Information:

Check on any deadlines
Application – Varies
FAFSA - Awards usually start March 1 st
Scholarships – Usually awarded in Mid-January
Federal Financial Aid Process ( FASFA)
FAFSA. (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Not Available until after Jan. 1

Types of Financial Aid

• Grants
  Does not have to pay back

• Loans
  May qualify for governemtn subsidy (repayment may be postponed until graduation) but will eventually have to pay back.

• Scholarships
• Money that is awarded based on Academic or Athletic Achievement.
• Money does not have to be paid back but the student usually has to maintain a certain GPA to keep qualifying for the money.
  
Work Study

 How Do I Qualify for Grants?
GRANTS: Grants are given out based on financial needs as determined by:

• Household income
• Number of dependants
• Number of family members in college

I will be living on my own. Do I still have to claim my parent’s income?
YES. The only time you don’t claim your parent’s income is when you have Independent Status.

Who has Independent Status?
A Student Qualifies for Independent Status if:
1) You are married.
2) You have a child and provide for at least half of the child’s needs.
3) You are ward of the court.

Parents – If you have any questions call:

Jim Johnston
EHOVE Guidance Counselor
1-866-256-9707
EXT.269

STUDENTS: BE SURE TO SEE YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR!!!!