Concerned with the cost of attending college or any post-secondary education program? Here are some links to websites with information about financial aid and scholarships.
FAFSA
FAFSA is the free application for federal student aid. Every student should file a FAFSA. This one application is used by colleges, career colleges, and technical/trade schools to apply for all forms of financial aid. The FAFSA provides families with the expected family contribution, which is used by institutions to determine eligibility for aid. Some scholarship programs will ask for your EFC to determine eligibility for scholarship monies as well. The FAFSA is filed after January 1 of the student’s senior year. WMHS encourages all students to complete the FAFSA.
CSS Profile
The CSS profile is used by almost 400 colleges, universities, and scholarship programs. It is an application for nonfederal financial aid. The website contains the application, list of participating schools/programs, and other helpful information.
HESAA
HESAA is the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority of New Jersey. The website contains information and applications for the various loan, grant, and scholarship programs run by HESAA. The website also contains resources for dealing with the costs of higher education.
Federal Student Aid
This is the website from the Federal Student Aid office of the US Department of Education. The website is packed with information organized into 5 areas: preparing for college, types of aid, qualifying for aid, applying for aid, and managing my loans. The website is available in English and Spanish.
NJ EOF
The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund provides financial assistance and support services (e.g. counseling, tutoring, developmental course work) to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who attend institutions of higher education in the State of New Jersey. Undergraduate grants range from $200 annually to $2,500 annually depending on the type of institution and financial need. These grants are renewable based upon continued eligibility. The website contains specific information about eligibility and participating institutions.
NJ STARS
NJ STARS is a scholarship program exclusively for New Jersey residents that covers the cost of tuition at New Jersey's 19 community colleges. Students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their high school class may be eligible. The website contains more information about the specifics of the NJ Stars program and eligibility.
The US Department of Education College Affordability and Transparency Center
This is a service provided by the US Dept. of Education to help parents/students better understand college costs and be able to make comparisons to help make financially sound decisions. The website contains resources including college net price calculators, college scorecards, the college affordability and transparency list, state spending charts, and information about 90/10 institutions (commonly known as proprietary or “for profit” schools).
College Scorecard - How Much Will It Cost Me to Attend College X?
College Scorecards make it easier for you to search for a college that is a good financial fit for you. The College Scorecard will provide information about a college’s affordability and value, so you can make more informed decisions about which college to attend. The Scorecard is specific to the colleges you go to.
Scholarship Search Links
Links to scholarship search programs.
