Financial Aid Resources
Financial Aid 101 Webinar PPT Only - October 1, 2025
Financial Aid 101 Presentation & Recording
Scholarships
Types of Scholarships
- Institutional Scholarships = Aid offered by college
- Some are automatic consideration with college application & others may require a separate scholarship application.
- Pay attention to deadlines.
- Private Scholarships = Found through companies, community groups, etc.
- JCHS Counseling updates list of scholarships in Naviance.
- Merit-Based: Financial aid based on academic, athletic, or some other type of achievement
- Need-Based: Reserved for low-income students.
Some schools will allow students to stack scholarships, while others will not. It is best to check the school's financial aid website for clarification.
Scholarship Search Resources
Big Future - Complete application tasks for a chance to win up to $40,000 in monthly drawings.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Required for HOPE/Zell Miller.
- Strongly encouraged to fill out every year – never know what you may qualify for!
- Apply as soon as possible. Schools and states often use FAFSA information to award scholarships and their deadlines vary.
- How much money you receive depends on many factors including: cost of attendance, expected family contribution, year in school, enrollment status, etc.
FAFSA Resources
- Parent and student will complete the application online at studentaid.gov
- Financial Aid Basics/Definitions: https://www.gafutures.org/federal-aid-scholarships/financial-aid-basics/
- FAFSA Checklists & How-To Guides/Videos: https://www.gafutures.org/federal-aid-scholarships/fafsa/
See the HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarships information here.
See the HOPE & Zell Miller Grants information here.