Financial Aid
Milford High School: Financial Aid
Financial aid is money that helps students pay for college or career school. It can come from a variety of sources, including:
- The federal government
- State government
- Colleges or career schools
- Nonprofit or private organizations
- High schools
- Community organizations
- Foundations
- Corporations
Financial aid can take the form of:
- Grants: Typically based on need and usually doesn't need to be repaid. For example:
- Pell Grants,
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.
- Scholarships: Free money based on academic or other achievements, or on financial need
- Work-study jobs: A way to earn money to help pay for school.Your total work-study award depends on
- when you apply,
- your level of financial need, and
- your school’s funding level.
- Loans: Money you borrow to pay for college or career school, which you must repay with interest
How to Apply for Financial Aid
FAFSA
Federal student aid from the Department of Education covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you’re interested in whether they do! Apply for federal student aid,using the FAFSA.
MAFSA
In August 2023, Massachusetts passed a Tuition Equity Law that created a pathway allowing all students, namely undocumented students, to access state higher education benefits through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
These benefits include in-state tuition at Massachusetts public institutions, and eligibility for state financial aid programs at public and private higher education institutions in Massachusetts.
Key points about the MASFA:
- Who should apply: Students who attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years, earned a diploma or equivalent, and may not be eligible for federal financial aid due to their immigration status.
- How to apply: Access the online MASFA application on the Mass.gov website.
- Purpose: To determine eligibility for state financial aid programs in Massachusetts, allowing students to potentially receive in-state tuition rates even if they are not US citizens or permanent residents.
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application used by many private colleges and universities to award institutional aid. It provides a more detailed picture of a family's financial situation compared to the FAFSA. Students applying to schools that require the CSS Profile should complete it to be considered for non-federal financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans offered directly by the institution. Families should check the financial aid requirements of each college to determine if the CSS Profile is needed, as it is typically required by private institutions and some scholarship programs.
Helpful links:
Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid
Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority