Start with the FAFSA
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This process has been simplified beginning in early 2024 and takes very little time to do. Some schools require you to fill this out if you want to get merit aid, and since there is no harm in doing so, I recommend you set the half hour aside to do so.
The FAFSA requires one parent/guardian's FSAID (financial student aid ID) which you set up through their website and which links your taxes to the FAFSA. If the student has filed taxes they may also need an FSAID. There are nice YouTube videos that walk you through how to do this. After the first year, it's very easy to do each year following (but don't lose those passwords).
The FAFSA is the single largest source of federal aid. It must be filled out every year.
The FAFSA requires one parent/guardian's FSAID (financial student aid ID) which you set up through their website and which links your taxes to the FAFSA. If the student has filed taxes they may also need an FSAID. There are nice YouTube videos that walk you through how to do this. After the first year, it's very easy to do each year following (but don't lose those passwords).
The FAFSA is the single largest source of federal aid. It must be filled out every year.
Do the CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a finer instrument than the FAFSA. It's put out by College Board and will cost you to send it to schools, but many schools, especially the most selective ones require it for any aid (including merit!). There are fee waivers available for it. It asks for information from both parents but if one parent's information is not attainable because of an estrangement there is also a waiver for that as well. Your counselor can help you get these waivers.
The CSS is based on a lot of things: how much are in retirement accounts, value of the home, bank accounts, etc. The schools that require it often offer 100% need based aid and so they really want to know how much need actually exists.
On the upside, this needs to be done only once in your time in college. It takes more time than the FAFSA so plan on a time where you have a couple hours to focus on it.
The CSS is based on a lot of things: how much are in retirement accounts, value of the home, bank accounts, etc. The schools that require it often offer 100% need based aid and so they really want to know how much need actually exists.
On the upside, this needs to be done only once in your time in college. It takes more time than the FAFSA so plan on a time where you have a couple hours to focus on it.
Don't forget state aid!
Anyone who graduates from a Virginia high school is automatically eligible for in-state tuition which is great news for you! Virginia has some of the nation's best public schools. And lucky for us as well, Virginia's state aid is something that people who are not citizens of the US can still qualify for!
And Scholarships!
Scholarships are a good idea for everyone. There are always scholarships included in the Thursday Round Up so that's a good place to look. Ms. Poole sends out a list of local scholarships which are great as well. Those are also in the Thursday Round Up.
Then there are scholarship programs like UNCF, Questbridge, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, and Hispanic Scholarship Fund to name a few. These are often need based (which is why you have to do the ones above) but are not always. And some have specific requirements that you attend an HBCU or a college that is a partner with them. If you qualify for aid, these are some of the best sources.
Then there are scholarship programs like UNCF, Questbridge, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, and Hispanic Scholarship Fund to name a few. These are often need based (which is why you have to do the ones above) but are not always. And some have specific requirements that you attend an HBCU or a college that is a partner with them. If you qualify for aid, these are some of the best sources.
Ms. Poole is our scholarship person and she sends out emails with local scholarships in them. I put them in the Thursday Round Up as well. Be on the lookout for these emails (and yes you MUST read your emails!). These emails include information about big ticket local and school based scholarships. Some of the scholarships in these emails include:
Some additional big ticket scholarships to look at include:
Where do I go to look up scholarships for you? JLVCounseling is the place! Literally dozens of pages for each month!
Full Ride: School Specific
For folks who were born outside the US
Looking for resources to apply to school in the US? Sadly these are in English, but the information can be translated using Google Chrome. Even if you are not undocumented, these can help!
