Financial Aid Guide

FINANCIAL AID 101

This page is provided as an overview of financial aid options and information for our students and their families. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the full extent of financial aid available for every student.  We strongly recommend each student research their individual financial aid options and consult with each college's financial aid office to which they apply. 


The College + Career Center
presented a 
Bright Futures + Financial Aid
Information Night
on January 18, 2024
WOHS Media Center  |  5:30 pm


Click to download the presentation slides
 BF Info Night




APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

» FLORIDA FINANCIAL AID

The Florida Department of Education offers many state grants and scholarships, including the Bright Futures Scholarship, exclusively for Florida high school students.
Please visit the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance for details. 
     » Must apply using the FFAA to be eligible  (click here for link)
     » Download the "How To Apply" guide here. 

» Application opens October 1

The Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) is the free financial aid application from the state of Florida's Office of Student Financial Assistance.

ALL SENIORS MUST COMPLETE the FFAA in order to be eligible for all state grants and scholarships including the Bright Futures Scholarship. 

* Students do not not need to eligible for Bright Futures at the time of application.
 Students should submit their FFAA when the application opens on October 1 of their senior year and continue working toward eligibility until the deadline of August 31 of their graduation year.

Click to be redirected to the Bright Futures Scholarship information page.


FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

» 2024-25 FAFSA Application is currently open in a "soft launch" period

The US Government awards grants, loans and work study programs for post secondary education. Students must apply using the FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive federal aid. 

APPLY » Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

» Students planning to start college SUMMER 2024 should complete the 2023-24 and 2024-25 FAFSA
» Students planning to start college FALL 2024 should complete the 2024-25 FAFSA only.

STEP 1 : CREATE YOUR FSA ID

Click to download FSA ID without SSN Instructions

STEP 2 : COMPLETE THE FAFSA

FAFSA'S FAQ'S

WHAT STEPS CAN I DO NOW?
The 2024-2025 FAFSA IS AVAILABLE IN "SOFT LAUNCH" NOW, and you and all who will contribute information on the FAFSA should get a FSA ID now. If you already have a FSA ID, you don't need a new one. Be sure to save your ID and password where you can access them.

CAN MY PARENTS CREATE AN FSA ID WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?
All parents who need to contribute information to the FAFSA can get a FSA ID, even if they don't have a SSN. They will be asked several identifying questions by TransUnion, a credit agency that will be serving to confirm the identity of anyone without an SSN. These questions will be based on information they can find on a credit report (Ex: What is the make/model of the car with a loan you are currently paying?).
Click to download FSA ID without SSN Instructions

» You must submit a FAFSA  every year to receive financial aid.

» 
Applying EARLY every year can increase your financial aid award.

» ALL SENIORS SHOULD COMPLETE the FAFSA in order to be eligible for all federal loans, grants, and work study programs. 

» Many colleges have FAFSA deadlines in order to be considered for priority financial aid from the school - Students and families are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA as soon as possible.



SCHOLARSHIPS

There are a plethora of local, national and international scholarships based on merit, demonstrated financial need,  interests and talents, culture, family of origin, etc.

Students are strongly encouraged to make a considerable investment and effort to
research and apply for as many scholarships as they are eligible.

» 
Please click for our scholarship information page for more information.