Student Aid (10/11/18)

Figuring out how to pay for college can be hard. It's one of the most significant expenses so far in your life. One of the many ways to make it easier is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is an application to apply for federal and local grants and scholarships. Unlike loans, grants and scholarships do not have to be paid back; they are "Free Money." The FAFSA usually takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. To make the application easier, it's helpful to have your 2017 Tax Returns, W2's,  current asset statement, and Social Security Card. The FAFSA for the 2019 - 2020 school year opened October 1st and closes June 30th of 2020. Some states have deadlines before that for state student aid.

For help with the FAFSA go to studentaid.gov

Other opportunities to pay for college are scholarships. Many Masonic Lodges give out scholarships. DeMolay International also has many scholarships on its website. Your school counselor often has materials about scholarships, including those just for students in your local area. Many schools also promote scholarships on their websites.

Scholarships come in many shapes and sizes. Many are broad in terms of who can apply, while some are very specialized – even for certain hair colors, left-handedness, or certain fields of study.

Check out Fastweb.com to find other scholarships that may be right for you.