Welcome to College and Career Handling
College is expensive. And the cost of a college education is ever increasing. Families, understandably, are growing more and more anxious about how they will pay for it all. While we recognize the importance of the price tag in your final decision, we urge you not to consider cost as a primary factor in your college search process just yet.
Types of Financial Aid
FREE Money
Grant money is typically based on financial need and is money that you don’t pay back.
Earned Money
Scholarships and work-study lets you earn money (through merit, performance, or work). Usually, you won’t nee to repay these.
Borrowed Money
Loans are an investment, but they must be repaid (+ interest)!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The first major step in the financial aid process is completing the FAFSA. It determines your eligibility for:
-Federal Aid Programs: pell grants, campus-based aid and direct student loans
-PA State Aid Programs: PA State grant, PA work-study and other special programs
-School Aid Programs: need-based aid and scholarships
You can complete this form online and the site usually goes live Oct. 1st! You should aim to complete the form soon after this live date. Also, note your school’s preferred deadline!
CSS Financial Aid Profile
The College Board’s CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by approximately 400 college (and is required in addition to the FAFSA by some selective institutions) and scholarship programs. The form gathers supplemental financial and family information.
Institutional Application
Some schools have their own application, which must be completed in addition to the FAFSA. You must complete all required applications and return them to your school(s) in a timely manner. Look at your school’s financial aid page to see what applications are needed.
Scholarships
There are many types of scholarships, some you don’t even need to apply for! Most colleges, especially the more selective ones, offer merit-based scholarships. Applying to the college will automatically open you to these scholarships. Merit scholarships may be awarded base on academic achievement or on a combination of academics and a special talent, trait, or interest.
There are also scholarships geared towards particular groups of people. And some because of where you or your parent work (always ask your employer – you never know!) or because you come from a certain background (for instance, there are scholarships for military families).
Below are great Scholarship Databases for you to search around!
Come to the guidance office for information on local scholarships. JUNIORS, ask about the Lenfest Scholars Program.
Alumni Scholarship
Please click the link below to download the Alumni Scholarship Application. Once completed, kindly send to Dr. Ben Sunderland at sunderland@juniata.edu by April 30th.