High School Guidance Counselor

U.S. Department of Education at www.studentaid.ed.gov   This site tells you everything you need to know about getting federal student aid.

·       Access Department publications, such as The Student Guide and Funding Your Education.

·       Access College Opportunities On-Line (COOL), where you can directly link to more than 9,000 colleges and universities and find information about their programs, costs, and curricula. This site has federal school codes for schools as well as current student loan interest rates and information on what to do if your loan is in trouble. Here you can fill out and transmit the free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in English or Spanish at www.fafsa.ed.gov   Many schools and states rely on the FAFSA as the single application for student aid. Schools use this information to prepare a financial aid package to help students meet their financial needs.

The Florida Department of Education at       www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org   This site describes the various scholarship and grant programs available to students enrolled in an eligible Florida institution. It also includes the Florida Financial Aid Application, which can be completed online. 

School and Public Library Reference Sections

Foundations, religious organizations, community organizations, local businesses and civic groups

Professional Organizations related to your field of interest

Ethnicity-based organizations

Employers – your employer or your parents’ employers

Web-based scholarship Search Services
      Financial Aid Search Through the Web: www.fastweb.com
      Peterson’s College Quest: www.petersons.com
      Scholarship Resource Network: www.aboutus.org/SrNeXpress.com
      The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid: www.finaid.org
      Student Gateway to U.S. Government: www.students.gov.

Check with these sources before considering paying for a scholarship search or other financial aid service.  Many scams abound. Do not pay for services you can obtain free.