FAFSA
The Counseling Team at Gulf Shores High School is committed to helping every student with their college pursuit and how to receive financial assistance with scholarships and federal financial aid.
Alabama Goes to College: Students & Families Guidebook
The federal government aims to give money to students who need it most. Many colleges also use information on the FAFSA to estimate a family’s ability to pay for college and how much aid they may need to offer a student.
What Is the FAFSA?
Understanding FAFSA & Financial Aid
Do you need money to go to college? If you want help from the federal government, you’ll need to fill out an online form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA.
Here is the link to the federal website where parents and students can create a FSA ID and begin the application process.
Federal Student Aid
Alabama Possible is a statewide organization that aims to help break down barriers to prosperity through advocacy, education, and collaboration. They have many helpful resources and programs that help educators, parents, and students understand the FAFSA process.
alabama possible
One of their programs is called Alabama Goes to College, which equips Alabamians with tools and connects them to relationships so that every student can plan for, pursue, and complete valuable postsecondary credentials. Most career pathways require postsecondary credentials including technical certificates and academic degrees. Alabama Goes to College provides resources for students and families to explore college options, find financial aid resources, and successfully transition from high school to college.
Here is a link to their recourses:
alabama Goes To College
Once a student has been accepted into a college, that college will put together a financial aid package or letter for the student. Often time students will receive multiple packages and letters from more than one college. Understanding these letters can sometimes be overwhelming. Here is a link to the 5 best online tools for comparing your financial aid offers.
Comparing College Aid Offers