Financial aid is money to help pay for college. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college affordable. Learn more about different types of financial aid.
Financial Aid Basics
The most important thing for students and parents to understand is that they must take the initiative in seeking financial aid!
Scholarships, grants, loans, etc. are not going to come and find you. You must find them! Where should you look?
- College/University (Website and Financial Aid Office)
- Scholarship Search Websites
- LHS Counseling Website
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form that must be filed with the federal government in order for eligibility to be determined for most federal and state aid programs. Eligibility is based on financial need, rather than academic achievement. The FAFSA should be completed beginning in October of the senior year at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Tennessee Promise offers two years of tuition-free community or technical college to Tennessee high school graduates. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it will cover college costs not met from Pell, HOPE, or TSAA. As part of the program, students will be paired with a partnering organization serving their home county and will be provided with a mentor who will support them during the college application process. Students can apply at http://tnpromise.gov/students.shtml
College for Tennessee is a website for high school, college, career, and financial aid planning. For information on different types of financial aid available, please visit http://collegefortn.org/