Scholarship Opportunities
How much will a college really cost? Net Price Calculators
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A SAFE school is also affordable for your family. See below to determine how much a college might cost (after scholarships and financial aid).
Search for Net Price Calculators on each college's financial aid page or search HERE
Texas Universities Net Price Calculator search HERE
What is a Net Price Calculator?
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A Net Price Calculator is a tool that is available on every college or university’s website and allows prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
What does Net Price mean?
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Net Price is the amount that a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year AFTER subtracting scholarships and grants the student receives. Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that a student does not have to pay back.
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Complete a NET PRICE CALCULATOR for each school on your list! Students and parents will need to work together to provide the required information.
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I need Financial Aid: Below are the 4 Sources of Student Financial Aid
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Federal Aid - Federal aid is the largest source of money for students who can demonstrate that they have financial need. The federal government has also committed a great deal of money in the form of non need-based assistance. The FAFSA is required!
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Institutional Aid - This varies by college. The admission application might not automatically trigger consideration for institutional aid. Always read the college's materials to find out about the aid offered and if additional forms or applications are needed for consideration. When in doubt, contact the college's financial aid office. The FAFSA is often required to be eligible.
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State Aid - State-supported financial aid varies by state. In some states, grants cover tuition only and are based on financial need. Some state scholarships are based solely on merit and are measured by academic achievement. Others are designed to support students interested in certain professions to help fill a shortage within the state. Some states also have loan and work programs. The FAFSA is often required to be eligible.
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Private Aid - Private aid typically is awarded by sources other than colleges and the federal government. Filing a FAFSA is often required to be eligible for consideration. See below for scholarships, scholarship search engines, etc.
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1. Federal Aid (FAFSA)
The most vital step in applying for federal grants, work-study, and loans for college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
Take these steps to apply for federal student aid.
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Student and one parent each need to create an FSA ID - HERE
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Get Prepared - Gather the documents you’ll need.
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Complete FAFSA® Form - Apply early to maximize your aid.
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Review Student Aid Report - Make corrections, if necessary.
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Respond to Aid Offer- Accept the aid you want.
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Receive Aid - Get your aid from your school.
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Renew Your FAFSA® Form - Reapply each year.
How Financial Aid Works - HERE
CSS Profile - Financial Aid Form Required by Some Colleges & Scholarships
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The following colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use CSS Profile and/or IDOC as part of their financial aid process for some or all of their financial aid applicants in the populations listed below. Please check schools’ websites or contact the institution for more information.
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See Participating Institutions and Programs HERE
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2. scholarships Awarded By A College Or University
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Most Colleges award admitted applicants automatic scholarships. The criteria for these scholarships are as varied as the school's themselves. Many of these scholarships are automatically awarded upon admission and are based on the student's admissions application. So, there is nothing else for you to do -- except make sure your application for admission is strong!
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Check the Financial Aid and Scholarship webpages of each college you're applying to! Are there any additional applications needed (besides the admissions application)? Are there any scholarships that fit your profile and need an additional application?
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Complete a Net Price Calculator for every college on your list! A Net Price Calculator is available on every college's website and is an easy tool to use to estimate how much each college might give you in scholarship money!
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3. State Aid
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4. Search private Aid using Scholarship Search engines