An essential element of the college process for many families involves financial aid. Colleges offer two forms of financial aid; need-based and merit-based. In order to receive need-based aid, families must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form after January 1 st of their senior year to determine federal eligibility for aid. Private colleges also often require the submission of a College Scholarship Service (CSS) form. Families can determine eligibility for aid by going to www.collegeboard.com. Merit aid based on academic merit alone comes from college sponsored scholarships and non-profit or corporate scholarships. Please visit our website and our office for updates about college scholarship opportunities.
The following websites provide information regarding financial aid:
- FinAid
- An indepth guide to student financial aid and services
- An indepth guide to student financial aid and services
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Nellie Mae
- Offers information about national nonprofit student loan financing and services; tips for early/late savers; saving investment options for parents; loan comparison charts; frequently asked questions about paying for college
- Offers information about national nonprofit student loan financing and services; tips for early/late savers; saving investment options for parents; loan comparison charts; frequently asked questions about paying for college
- Sallie Mae
- Offers information about education loans
- Offers information about education loans
- College Net
- A scholarship search service
- A scholarship search service
- FastWeb
- Conducts financial aid searches with a database of over 180,000 private scholarships
- Conducts financial aid searches with a database of over 180,000 private scholarships
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
- The Bright Futures Scholarship Program offers two awards for high school students who earn an academic diploma.
- The Bright Futures Scholarship Program offers two awards for high school students who earn an academic diploma.
- The Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS)
- Award: 75% of Florida public college tuition and fees (including lab fees up to $300 per semester). For private institutions a fixed award amount is given based on 75% of the average tuition and fees covered by a comparable Florida public institution prorated by term and hours.
- GPA: 3.0 weighted (based on FLA Scholarship Program Weighting system: .5 quality pt for Honors and AP classes).
- Test Scores: Best composite SAT score of one score or the combined best of two or more scores at or above 970, or an ACT score of 20
- The Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
- Award: 100% of Florida public college tuition fees (including lab fees up to $300 per semester) plus $300 per semester for college related expenses (excluding summer term) prorated by term and hours. For private institutions a fixed award amount is given based on 100% of the average tuition and fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution including the $300 per semester provided for college-related expenses prorated by term and hours.
- GPA: 3.5 weighted (as above) on the 15 academic credits.
- Test Scores: Best composite SAT score of one score or the combined best of two or more scores at or above 1270 or 28 on the ACT.
- Community Service: 75 Hours during grades 9-12
National Merit or National Achievement Scholarship Finalists will receive the Academic Scholars Award regardless of GPA/SAT. Both rewards are renewable for four years with GPA requirements.
Deadline: The Florida Financial Aid Application must be filed by the end of the 7th semester and no later than the end of the 8th semester for the student to be considered for an award under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
For More Information:
1-888-827-2004