Golden Eagle Charter School
Financial Aid Resources
“If you’re failing to plan, you’re planning to fail.”
~ Henry Ford ~
Most students and their parents can’t afford to just whip out their checkbooks and write a check for college.
“For the 2004–05 academic year, annual prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board were estimated to be $9,877 at public colleges and $26,025 at private colleges. Between 1994–95 and 2004–05, prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board at public colleges rose by 30 percent, and prices at private colleges increased by 26 percent, after adjustment for inflation.”
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2006). Digest of Education Statistics, 2005 (NCES 2006–030).
Most families rely on the extensive financial aid system, in addition to scholarships, to get their children through college. There are several different types of financial aid. These include loans, grants, scholarships, and work study programs. The first step to most financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
In your senior year, as soon as possible after you or your parents have completed your taxes, you will have the information you need to fill out the FAFSA. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a fairly lengthy online form that is based on your (or parents) previous year’s tax return. It is the basis of the vast majority of financial aid opportunities, including the Cal Grant.
The Cal Grant
The Cal Grant is a must for all undergraduates because the money is almost guaranteed, and you don’t have to pay it back. Apply for the Cal Grant by being sure that you and your school counselor fill out a GPA Verification Form, which s/he should have on hand. This needs to be sent by March 2nd during your senior year (or whatever year is before that school year for which you are applying for financial aid).
See: www.calgrant.org and http://www.hcs.k12.ca.us/pdfforms/guidance/calgrant.pdf
Scholarships
Scholarships are not just for students with great GPA’s. They are not just for students who are great athletes. There are virtually thousands of scholarship opportunities out there. They are all unique. In fact, here in Siskiyou County we are fortunate to have the Mc Connell Foundation. The McConnel Foundation is a philanthropic organization that specializes in providing grants and other support to people who live in this county. Please see our scholarship page (insert link to web page 8.5) for more information on how to find a scholarship for you!
Planning and Preparation
The best way to ensure the maximum amount of financial aid is to start early and make sure to meet all the important deadlines.
There are some excellent calendars out there to help students prepare for college, both financially and otherwise. Two of our favorites:
Collegeboard.com
http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/12th.asp