Financial Aid
financial aid
financial aid
financial aid
Financial Aid for High School Students
Paying for college, career school, or trade school can feel overwhelming—but there are many types of financial aid available. The key is to start early, complete the right applications, and look for scholarships throughout high school.
What Is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money that helps students pay for education. It can come from the federal government, state governments, colleges, nonprofit organizations, and private scholarship providers.
The main types are:
- Grants — Money that generally does not have to be repaid.
- Scholarships — Money awarded based on factors such as academics, activities, interests, community involvement, or financial need.
- Work-study — A program that allows eligible students to earn money through approved employment.
- Student loans — Money that must be repaid, usually with interest.
Start With the FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is one of the most important financial-aid applications for students planning to attend college, career school, or trade school.
Completing the FAFSA can help determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. States and colleges may also use FAFSA information when awarding their own aid.
The FAFSA is free. Students should use the official Federal Student Aid website rather than paying a third party to submit the application.
What You May Need
Before starting the FAFSA, students and required contributors may need:
- A StudentAid.gov account
- Federal tax information
- Information about assets and other financial circumstances
- Information about the schools you're considering
Federal Student Aid provides a detailed checklist of what students need.
Check Whether Your College Requires the CSS Profile
Some colleges and scholarship programs use the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional, nonfederal financial aid.
Not every college requires it, so check the requirements for each school you're applying to.
College Board says the CSS Profile is used by participating colleges and scholarship programs for nonfederal aid.
Look for Scholarships
Don't wait until the last minute to search for scholarships. Students can find opportunities through:
- Their high school counseling office
- Colleges and universities
- Community organizations
- Local businesses
- Community foundations
- Employers
- Professional organizations
- National scholarship programs
Federal Student Aid recommends looking for scholarships at the school, local, state, and national levels.
Scholarship Search Tips
Start early: Some scholarships have deadlines months before college enrollment.
Keep a list: Track deadlines, requirements, recommendation letters, essays, and application status.
Apply for multiple scholarships: Don't rely on a single award.
Watch for scams: Be cautious of anyone guaranteeing a scholarship or demanding payment just to apply.
California Financial Aid
If you're a California student, you may also qualify for state financial aid through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Cal Grant
Cal Grant programs can provide financial assistance to eligible California students. Eligibility depends on factors such as financial circumstances, academic requirements, enrollment, and the type of school you attend.
California Dream Act Application
Some California students who cannot complete the FAFSA may be eligible to apply for state financial aid through the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Check the current requirements and deadlines directly with CSAC, since state programs and deadlines can change.
📅 A Simple High School Financial-Aid Timeline
9th–10th Grade
- Start learning about college costs.
- Keep your grades up.
- Explore scholarships and programs.
- Save copies of awards, activities, and achievements.
11th Grade
- Research colleges and their financial-aid policies.
- Begin researching scholarships.
- Talk with your counselor about financial aid.
- Learn about FAFSA and CSS Profile requirements.
12th Grade
- Create your StudentAid.gov account.
- Complete the FAFSA when the appropriate application becomes available.
- Complete the CSS Profile if your colleges require it.
- Submit state financial-aid applications when applicable.
- Apply for scholarships.
- Watch financial-aid deadlines carefully.
- Review financial-aid offers after admission.
🔎 Official Resources
Federal Student Aid
👉 studentaid.gov — FAFSA, grants, loans, work-study, and financial-aid guidance.
👉 studentaid.gov — FAFSA, grants, loans, work-study, and financial-aid guidance.
FAFSA Help
👉 FAFSA guidance — Step-by-step instructions for students.
👉 FAFSA guidance — Step-by-step instructions for students.
CSS Profile
👉 cssprofile.collegeboard.org — Institutional financial-aid application used by participating colleges.
👉 cssprofile.collegeboard.org — Institutional financial-aid application used by participating colleges.
California Student Aid Commission
👉 csac.ca.gov — California state financial-aid programs.
👉 csac.ca.gov — California state financial-aid programs.
California Dream Act
👉 dream.csac.ca.gov — Information and application for eligible California students.
👉 dream.csac.ca.gov — Information and application for eligible California students.
⭐ Remember
Don't assume you won't qualify for aid. Apply and let the financial-aid programs determine your eligibility.
Keep track of every deadline, use official websites, and ask your high school counselor or a college financial-aid office when you need help.
Financial-aid rules and deadlines can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant government agency, college, or scholarship provider.
