Financial Aid
NFA Main - Virtual Financial Aid Events and Instant Decision Days - 2021-2022
College costs continue to escalate and more and more families are looking toward financial aid as a means to defray college expenses. Each year millions of dollars in financial aid are available. The only way to find out if you are eligible for any of this aid is to apply.
Financial Aid is assistance based solely on need (the family’s ability or inability to pay versus the cost of attending college). To determine the amount of need, a college requires your family to submit several forms. The first of these is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. As it states in its title, there is no charge for this application. It is the means of eligibility for all federal grants and loans and is required for all institutions.
What you need to fill out a FAFSA:
- Create an FSA ID (username and password)
- Social Security number
- Alien Registration number (for Green Card holders)
- Federal tax information or tax returns (can link to tax info through IRS Data Retrieval Tool)
- Cash, savings and checking account balances
- Investments other than the home in which you live
FSAID – One of the first steps in the financial aid process. An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Create your FSAID.
Federal Aid - Complete the FAFSA application in October of your senior year and every year you are in college.
State Aid – Complete the NY State TAP application if you are a New York resident and are applying to schools in NY.
Institutional Aid from the College or University – Some colleges require that you complete an additional CSS Profile application to qualify for financial aid. Check to see if the college you are applying to is one of them.
- Begin your CSS Profile application here.
- CSS Profile list of participating institutions
Resources for DACA / Undocumented Students – As a DACA or undocumented students you have many opportunities available to you. Visit the resources on The Dream US for a list of links, toolkits, guides, references and other information that can help you complete college
Financial Aid Links
Don't become a victim of Financial Aid fraud. If you have to pay money to get money, it's probably a scam. The FAFSA form is processed for free. Do NOT pay for this service. See your student's School Counselor BEFORE paying for anything!
- True Cost of College Information
- Americorps National Service Program
- College Board Online
- College is Possible
- EduPass
- FAFSA
- FastWeb
- FinAid
- Funding Your Education
- Nat. Assoc. of Student Finan. Aid Admin.
- Nellie Mae Loan
- New York State Higher Education Services Corp.
- NY Mentor
- Peterson`s Guide: Financial Aid
- Sallie Mae
- Scholarship Scams - FinAid
- Scholarship Scams - U.S. Gov
- Scholarships in Medical Fields
- The Student Guide
- U.S. Department of Education
- Scholarships 4 School
- Latino College Dollars *NEW