Upward Bound/Project PLUS actively helps each student find sources of financial aid and scholarships to pay for school.  We also work with students in filling out forms and writing essays for government and private scholarships to ensure that all applications are completed on time.

How to Apply for Financial Aid:
1.   Apply for admission if you are just starting college.
2.   Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA - located at www.fafsa.ed.gov).  
3.   Return the completed FAFSA as soon after January 1 and before January 31 to be elgible for all aid. Submit the FAFSA whether or not you think you will qualify for aid.
4.   Keep your address current at the college you are planning to attend.
5.   When you receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) review it carefully.  If you need to make any corrections do so and then return SAR as promptly as possible. Call the federal processor if you do not receive your SAR in 4-6 weeks. Note your data release number. Check to see if your SAR was chosen for verification.
6.   Watch the mail for your Financial Aid Award Letter you will receive from your college.
7.   Sign and return your Award Letter and promissory note.

How the FAFSA works:
Using the information you supply on the FAFSA, the federal processor determines your expected family contribution (EFC), the amount of money parents can expect to contribute to their student's college costs. Your prospective college then applies a simple equation to decide how much financial aid you will need. (To get an early estimate of your EFC, check out the Financial Aid Estimation Calculator at www.finaid.com). Your prospective college will then try to meet your needs through a financial aid package made up of funds from federal, state, school, and private sources as well as loans and student employment.
Juniors: Check out the new U.S. Department of Education website for juniors: FAFSA4caster

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Types of Aid: Grants, Loans, Scholarships

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
http://www.nasfaa.org/subhomes/doitaffordit/affordit2.html

The Smarter Student Guide to Financial Aid: Other Types of Aid
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/

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Scholarship Links:

• Mark's Financial Aid Calculator Free, accurate, and completely confidential calculators to provide you with a better understanding of college financing and planning for the future.
• FASTWeb Scholarship Search "The largest free scholarship search on the Internet."  Also provides info on career choices and financial aid.
• FAFSA Online Instructions and information for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS---PSU Answers to some of students' most common questions about paying for college.
• Dept. of Ed. Guidelines for Student Financial Aid Information about applying for financial aid, as well as the types of aid students may receive.
• Student Planning: Mapping Your Future Information to help you plan your career, select a school, and pay for your education.
• The Foundation Center Resources for grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
• The Educational Resources Institute Specializes in providing financial aid information and loans for students whose needs are not met by traditional financial aid programs.

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Scholarship Essay Tips

• The Smarter Student Guide to Financial Aid: Essay Writing
  http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/essays.phtml
• International Student.com
  http://www.internationalstudent.com/essay_writing/scholarship_essay.shtml
• After High: ThinkQuest Student Site
  http://library.thinkquest.org/C005172/scholarship_essay.htm
• GoCollege.com
  http://www.gocollege.com/financial-aid/scholarships/apply/essay-how-to.html
• Essay Info.com
  http://essayinfo.com/essays/scholarship_essay.php

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Budgeting for College

• Budget Worksheet for College Students
  http://financialplan.about.com/od/moneyandcollegestudents/l/blcollbudget.htm
• College Budget 101
  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14448831/
• Establishing a College Budget
  http://www.saystudent.com/college-budget.html
• 13 Tips for College Students from Forbes
  http://www.forbes.com/home/personalfinance/2004/08/30/cx_sr_0830collegekids.html?partner=msnbc