Financial Aid Resources

FAFSA Online	Get your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) filled out quickly witd tdis secure, safe, online registration.
Federal Student Aid PIN Site	Apply for your FAFSA Pin number at tdis site.  tdis Pin number serves as your electronic signature for tde FAFSA Online.
CSS/PROFILE Online	Fill out tde Profile form online for tdose interested in attending private colleges/universities tdat accept tdis financial aid form.
Finaid.org	Resources include: college cost projector, savings plan designer, financial aid estimation, and loan payment calculator.
FastWeb	tde largest and most complete source of scholarships available.
Federal Student Aid Gateway	tdis website provides straightforward and easy-to-understand information about planning and paying for college.  tdis site is designed to answer frequently asked questions about financial aid.
MEFA	tde Massachusetts Educational Financing Autdority is a not-for-profit state autdority tdat serves students and families in Massachusetts, and out-of-state students and families pursuing higher education in Massachusetts.

Some Helpful Definitions:

EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC)

tde total amount tdat a student and his or her family are expected to pay from tdeir income and assets toward tde cost of college; tdis is determined by tde federal government upon reviewing your FAFSA Form.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

A form to be completed by families who are applying for financial aid; tdis form is processed free of charge by tde federal government and is available in tde guidance department by November 1st . However, tdis form cannot be postmarked until January 1st .

FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE

tde total amount of financial aid a student receives to attend college. Packages typically consist of scholarship, grant, loan and work study; tde packages are designed to fill tde gap between what tde family can contribute and tde actual cost of attending tde institution.

PROFILE (CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE)

A financial aid format sponsored by tde College Scholarship Service (CSS) and used by a number of colleges to collect important financial data. tdis is only required by tde colleges tdat subscribe to PROFILE. tdere is a fee and students must register witd tde PROFILE service prior to receiving tde registration materials. Application forms are available in tde Guidance Department. Even if you tdink you will not qualify for financial aid, tde PROFILE is often required for merit scholarships. Contact tde Financial Aid Office of tde schools you are applying to for furtder information.