Financial Aid Information             On-Line Links

DON'T LET MONEY STAND IN YOUR WAY OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION! 
 
Financial aid for students is available!  The federal and state government offers financial aid to families in the form of grants and loans.  Grants do not have to be repaid and loan will have to be repaid, but not until at least 6 months after the student graduates college.   
 
Most financial aid is awarded based on your financial need.  Your financial need is the difference between what it will cost you to attend a particular college (cost of attendance) and what you and your family can pay toward your college costs, known as your expected family contribution, or EFC.  Your financial need depends on your family's income and assets, your college's cost of attendance, whether you're a dependent or independent student, and other factors. 
 
But not all financial aid is based on need.  For example, unsubsidized federal loans are for all eligible students, regardless of their resources.  The only difference between these unsubsidized loans and the subsidized loans that students with financial need may receive is that a subsidized loan will not accrue interest while the student is in college, but an unsubsidized loan will accrue interest. 
 
If you think you'll need financial aid, apply for it.  It's worth a shot!  To apply for federal and state financial aid, you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.  You can complete the FAFSA using the paper version that you can pick up in the CCC or you can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  It is recommended that you complete the online version because it better guards against mistakes.  You can file a FAFSA beginning January 1st and must do so before March 2nd to be eligible for both state and federal aid.