Financial Aid Application Tips:

All students should and NEED to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.  This application can be downloaded from: www.fafsa.ed.gov

When filling out any and all financial aid forms make sure to “check” the box that identifies the applicant as current/former foster youth / “ward of the court.” This verification of status is confidential, and ensures that a current/former foster youth’s economic situation is accurately assessed for financial purposes. The federal government determines the amount of aid a student is eligible to receive. The government’s calculation is based on a formula called the  “Expected Family Contribution” or “EFC."  The current/former foster youth’s EFC should ONLY be based on the youth’s income and resources. No one should ever require a foster youth to disclose the income of a birth parent or foster parent.

 READ and DOUBLE CHECK each line of your application(s). Missing information will only delay consideration of a youth’s application for any program.

 Don’t put your “eggs in just one basket.” Apply to any and all scholarship programs that you can find. Consideration is never a guarantee of acceptance. The more opportunities for which you apply, the better the odds that you will be awarded a grant or scholarship. Click here for more grants and scholarships