Financial Aid

• CSS Profile
  An online form some colleges use to decide if you qualify for financial aid from the school itself. It asks more detailed questions than the FAFSA and is usually required by private colleges.
• Demonstrated Financial Need
  The actual amount a college decides you need after reviewing your financial aid forms.
• FAFSA
  Stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s the main online form you fill out to apply for financial aid from the government, colleges, and some scholarships. Everyone going to school after high school should fill this out)
• Federal
  Refers to the U.S. government—federal financial aid comes from national programs like FAFSA, grants, or student loans.
• Fees
  Extra charges for things like labs, technology, student activities, or campus services.
• Financial Aid or "aid"
  money that helps you pay for college. It can come from the government, colleges, or other organizations and might include grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, or loans. Some of this money you don’t have to pay back, and some you do.
• Financial Need
  The amount of money you need to afford college, based on what your family can pay.
• FSAID
  The username and password you create to sign in to your "StudentAid.gov" account.  Both the guardian AND the student need their own separate FSA IDs. 
• Grant
  Free money for college that you don’t have to pay back—usually based on financial need.
• Housing
  Where you live while in college—this could be a dorm, apartment, or other living space. It’s part of your college costs.
• Institution
  The college or university itself—"institutional aid" is money the school gives you, like scholarships or grants.
• Loan
  Money you borrow to help pay for college that you’ll need to pay back later, usually with interest.
• Merit Based 
  Money given for college based on your achievements, like good grades, test scores, or talents (not based on family income
• Need Based
  Money given to help pay for college based on your family’s financial situation.
• Net Price
  What you really pay for college after financial aid is taken off the total cost.
• Room and Board
  The cost of living on campus (your dorm room) and your meal plan (food).
• Scholarship
  Free money for college that you don’t have to pay back—often awarded for good grades, talents, or involvement in activities.
• StudentAid.gov
• Subsidized Loan
  A type of federal student loan where the government pays the interest while you're in school. You have to qualify for subsidized loans based on financial need. 
• Total Cost of Attendance
  The full price of going to college for one year, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other expenses.
• Tuition
  The cost of your classes at a college or university.
• Unsubsidized Loan
  A federal student loan where YOU are responsible for the interest from the start - even while you're in school. It's not based on financial need. 
• Work Study
  A program that gives you a part-time job (usually on campus) to help pay for your college expenses.

GRANTS - The federal government provides grants for students attending college or career school. Most types of grants, unlike loans, generally do NOT have to be repaid. 

Learn About Federal Grants

WORK STUDY - The Federal Work Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You'll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do and the skills required for the position. 

Learn about Federal Work Study

FEDERAL LOANS - A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. You may be offered loans as part of your financial aid offer. It is important to understand the repayment options so that you can decide if borrowing the money is worth it for you. 
Federal loans are the best type of loan because the interest rates are usually lower than the rate offered by private banks - and much lower than the interest rate of a credit card!

Learn About Federal Student Loans

Just like the federal government provides some grant money for students who wish to continue their education, so does the state of Missouri.  

The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development Agency administers these state grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on many different factors including financial need, academic achievement, civic involvement, athletic ability, and other skills and interests. 

Learn More About Missouri Grants and Scholarships

Learn More About the FAFSA

Have a Question? 

VIDEOS - StudentAid.gov website has a number of video tutorials to help you complete the FAFSA. You can access those videos at this link: 

Access More FAFSA Video Tutorials

FAQs - StudentAid.gov website also has a Help Center with answers to common questions and   an AI Chatbot named "Aidan"

Go To the FAFSA Help Center

TALK TO SOMEONE - If you'd prefer to talk to a live person, then MOFAFSA will have virtual help sessions, where you can join and get assistance. 

Go To MOFAFSA.ORG

Financial Aid office at St Louis Community College also will help with FAFSA questions - even if you don't plan on attending there. Call the STLSS Financial Aid office at 1-866-452-7579

How To Prepare for the 2026–27 FAFSA^® Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2026–27 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available. Here are some ways you can get ready:

• Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).

• Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.

• Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.

• If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

The PROFILE form is administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS), the financial aid division of the College Board.

The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution’s own grants, loans and scholarships.

The biggest differences between the CSS Profile and the FAFSA are:* 

• Specific questions: The CSS PROFILE contains questions specific to the school or program you’re applying to; FAFSA contains the same questions for everyone.
• Different methodology: The CSS PROFILE determines your financial need differently than the FAFSA, taking into account such factors as whether your family owns a home. In general, the CSS PROFILE asks for more detailed information than FAFSA.
• Minimum student contribution: The CSS PROFILE requires this; the FAFSA doesn’t.
• Greater reliance on professional judgment: The CSS PROFILE gives financial aid counselors greater freedom to grant aid based on a student’s particular circumstances.
• Cost: There is a cost to filling out the CSS Profile, though some families may qualify for fee waivers; the FAFSA, as the name implies, is free.
  *from FinAid.org

To complete the CSS Profile you will need the Profile code of the school to which you are applying. You can find those codes HERE

Start the CSS Profile Application

Frequently Asked Questions about CSS Profile

💰 Scholarships are FREE money you don’t have to pay back (unlike loans). Scholarships can be need-based or merit-based or both. 

Scholarships typically fall within one of the following categories:

🏫 Institutional Scholarships

• Awarded by the college itself, usually after admission.

• May require extra steps: ✅ forms, ✍️ essays, ⏰ deadlines.

• Always check with the Financial Aid or Admissions Office for details.

🏡 Local Scholarships

• Sponsored by community groups (ex: PSHS, local businesses, organizations).

• Fewer applicants → better chance of winning!

• Typically smaller dollar amounts, but several can add up quickly 💵➕💵.

🌎 National Scholarships

• Open to students across the U.S.

• May require specific qualifications (ex: major in Education).

• Very competitive — double-check requirements so you don’t waste time.

⚡ Tip: Start early, stay organized, and apply to a variety of scholarships to maximize your chances!

Learn More About Scholarships

BEWARE OF SCAMS -
Not all scholarships are real—some are scams. Be cautious when applying online. If a scholarship asks you to pay a fee to apply or to "unlock" your eligibility, it’s likely a scam.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a helpful resource to show you how to spot fake scholarships and protect yourself.

How to Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams

A financial aid offer letter (also known as an "award letter" or "award package") is a crucial document detailing the financial assistance a college is providing you to cover educational expenses.

Understanding how to read and compare these letters is key to making informed decisions about your college choices. 

If you have any questions or don't understand what is in your aid offer, contact the Financial Aid office at the school. IT's there to help!

Use the links below to help you with this process:

• "How To Evaluate Your Financial Aid Offer" - web article from Federal Student Aid/ Dept. of Ed
• What High Schoolers Need To Know About How Student Loans Work web article from Mass Mutal
• Financial Aid Offer Review - webinar hosted by Common App in April 2024. (42 minutes)
• Decision-Making: Using Financial Aid Offer Letters to Assess Affordability - Online booklet prepared by "The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis"
• Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet - editable spreadsheet published by "The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis"

"Unmet Need" is the industry term for the gap between the financial aid you've been offered (loans, grants, scholarships, work study) and your school's cost of attendance.

In other words, "unmet need" is how much YOU will need to contribute in order to cover the cost of attending that college. 

Although there aren't "easy" answers, the resources below discuss ideas as to how to address the gap.

• 7 Options If You Didn't Receive Enough Financial Aid web article by FSA - US Dept of Ed
• Direct Plus Loans for Parents web article by FSA - US Dept of Ed
• 25 Companies with College Tuition Reimbursement Programs - "Get Schooled" nonprofit organization 

🎓 Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

Thinking about college out of state? 🌎 The MSEP helps make it more affordable!

✅ Students who enroll at a participating college pay a reduced tuition rate (instead of the full non-resident price).
✅ 140+ colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin participate.
✅ You could save $500–$3,000 per year (savings vary by school).

🔍 Search for participating schools & programs