Financial Aid

HOW AM I GOING TO PAY FOR COLLEGE???

What is financial aid?
Click here for link to FAFSA/Financial presentation.

As you are starting to think about the college application process, be sure to also make yourself award of the Free Application for federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Colorado Application for State Financial Aide (CASFA).
https://www.mycoloradojourney.com/journey/get-your-piece-of-the-pie

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

If you do not qualify for federal student aid (you do not have lawful immigration status but have attended a Colorado high School for at least 3 years and will graduate from a Colorado high school), use the CASFA (Colorado Application for Student Financial Aid), NOT the FAFSA: Link to CASFA

Scholarships are also a big part of financial aid.  Click here to go to our scholarship page, or find more information in your grade level Counseling Google Classroom.

EVERYONE, please apply for the COF (College Opportunity Fund).  This a stipend (think money off of your tuition bill) that you will receive automatically (once you apply) if you plan to attend a college in Colorado and have graduated from a Colorado high school.  

Did you know...?
~Not all colleges give the same amount of financial aid?
~Some families can qualify for more financial aid before they file the FAFSA?
~97%  of financial aid comes from colleges and the federal government making it vital to file the FAFSA?
~You can possibly pay less tuition to attend an expensive, private school than by attending a state college?
Financial Aid presentation by Sam Feeney, Certified College Funding Specialist, and Intervention Counselor at Bear Creek High School.  Access the recording of the workshop via this link (and here are the slides without the recording).
Links referenced in this presentation include:
FAFSA 4caster
EFC reduction worksheet
TuitionFit.org
Ways to make your college list based on what you can afford

Ready to complete the FAFSA?  Click here for the checklist of what you will need.  Do you need help completing the FAFSA?  Go to our HAPPENINGS page for upcoming help sessions.

Financial Aid Award Letters: You will receive these through the mail or through your college student portal once you complete the FAFSA and have been accepted to college.  If you would like some help understanding these, please watch this video: Financial Aid Award Letters Explained


Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions!

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