Financial Aid

FAFSA4caster
Before you hit your senior year in high school, check out the FAFSA4caster. This free service provides information on different types of federal financial aid, and gives you a good estimate on what aid you will be eligible for. You can easily transfer your information to the FAFSA on the Web when you are ready.

FAFSA on the Web
You can complete and submit this vital financial aid form on the Internet. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the required application form for most schools. Use this form to apply for federal grants and loans. Be sure you have collected all the necessary paperwork and have the required computer setup. See the section on Getting Started.  Get free one-on-one help completing the FAFSA on FAFSA Day on February 21.  Learn more here.

PROFILE on the Web
Many schools are now using this form in their financial aid process. Ask the financial aid office of each school you are applying to if this form is required for applying for nonfederal aid.

College Board
In addition to the link for the PROFILE form, check out the "Students and Parents" section for information on financial aid and the entire college search process, along with links to helpful financial calculators. The "Pay for College" section will help you find advice on filling out the FAFSA and finding financial aid.

College Foundation of North Carolina

Scholarship Search Services

MeritAid
New searchable service for finding college scholarships.

CollegeNet
This site has a searchable database of more than 600,000 scholarships. 

Scholarship Resource Network Express
Here's a database of more than 150,000 private scholarships, worth a total of $35 million.

FastWeb
Find good information on more than 400,000 scholarships, worth a total of over $1 billion.

FastAID Scholarship Search
Search a database of over 400,000 scholarships. Simple five-page application form.

Scholaraid.com
Good overall source for financial aid. More than two million awards listed.

Additional Sites

Guilford County Schools Online Scholarships Guide

Scholarship News
A variety of listings of scholarships by college majors, state residence, minorities, athletics, and others.

Student Guide to Financial Aid
Good guide to federal programs to help students go to college.

SallieMae
Learn about the SallieMae loan program.

FinAid
Provides quick descriptions of the different ways to fund a college education.

Scholarship Search Scams: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission

Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation offers 20,000 grants for minorities pursuing a degree in fields where they are underrepresented.