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  • FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

    Preparing for the financial investments needed to fund a student's college education is no small task today.  The terms, the aid programs, the amount of money involved can be overwhelming.  Here are some resources to help get you started.

     

    15 Financial Aid Terms Every College Student (and Parent) Should Know  

    This article is an excellent place to start to become familiar with some of the terms commonly used in the financial aid process.

     

    FAFSA

    This is THE STARTING PLACE for any federal or state financial aid.  The FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) will provide you with important forms to be completed for any college you are considering as well as information about grants, scholarships and loans available through the Federal Government.

    Ready to learn more?  Follow this FAFSA link for more information.

     

    FSA ID

    BOTH the student and ONE parent/guardian must apply for an Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.  This is required to confirm your identity and to confirm any applications you sumbit electronically.  This number is as important as your Social Security Number so keep in a safe place.

    To apply for your FSA ID, check this FASFA link.

     

    New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

    For New York State residents, additional financial aid can be available to eligible students through programs such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the new Excelsior Scholarship, and more.  This site provides a wealth of information on aid programs, scholarship application deadlines, important financial planning guidance and more. 

    To explore what NYS has to offer, follow this link to HESC.

     

    A Quick Tip

    For a handy 4-page guide to summarize the financial aid process for you, take a look at FastWeb's Quick Guide to Financial Aid.  This may well be worth printing and keeping a copy handy as you review financial aid offers for your student.

     

    A Word about Student Loans

    In today's world, many students and families will likely need to consider student or parent loans as part of the overall plan to finance a student's higher education.  In considering these loans, it can be very important to understand what those repayment obligations might look like.

    Check out this handout from the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation.  It outlines varied loan amounts, different interest rates, and different repayment terms.  Are these financial investments and repayment expectations something you are willing to consider and accept? 

    [Note:  Inclusion of this form does not indicate a preference for the vendor listed.  Each student/family is encouraged to find the vendor that best suits their needs.]