Consider Different Financial Aid Options... Now is the time!

It is fall in Ohio.... the leaves are turning and so should your focus in case you're not already focusing on financial aid. Financial aid is a term that is used to include all ways to pay for an education; there are several. 

LatinosGoToCollege provides tips for navigating both the admissions process and the financial aid process; which are two processes that are separate, but often times tied to each other.  Check out our Students page. 

Below are highlights from the topics found in our brochures: 

3 Types of Financial Aid: 

Interested in Free money? Check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. FASFA provides money from the federal government and includes grants and federal loans.  Grants do not have to be paid back,. You Must complete the FASFA application which becomes available every year on October 1st.  Deadlines vary by school, but it is better to complete the application early and you can complete them well before the deadline by using the prior year's tax information. 

Government loans can be subsidized and unsubsidized.  Subsidized loans are recommended. Governmental loans, unless forgiven, have to be repaid, often with interest. 

Private Loans: money that private lenders provide to students, Criteria vary. Have to be repaid. 

Institutional aid/ scholarships- organizations often have a variety of institutional financial aid, including merit and diversity scholarships. There can also be money tied to alumni organizations for he college or university. 

Scholarships: Free money. Scholarships are not to be paid back and can be provided by individuals and organizations. (for colleges/ universities, see institutional aid) There are tens of thousands of options available both locally and nationally. There is an art to looking for scholarships, all scholarships will have their own application process.  Apply early and apply often!

Want more tips? Our Students page to download a brochure about the admissions and financial aid process.