Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The form most commonly used to determine eligibility for financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is necessary to complete this form with information supporting your family income and resources. This information refers to the year immediately preceding the college cost.
The FAFSA is used to analyze your financial means and determine what share of college costs you and your family should pay. This form is the basis for determining what your financial aid package will be. Each college will offer a package that includes a combination of grants, loans, employment and/or scholarships. You may accept all, some or none of this package which will vary by college.

• Federal Pin Registration - The first step in the process is applying for a FAFSA pin.
• FAFSA - Online application for the FAFSA.  It is highly recommended to complete the form online.

Local Scholarships

National Scholarship Clearinghouse Sites

There are hundreds of websites dedicated to helping you find money for college. Most sites are reputable but some are SCAMS. Please take time to carefully review the following sites:

• My College Dollars – Facebook App  This new facebook app connects students scholarship searching with social networking. A partnership between College Board, MTV and Get Schooled. This app is accessible through facebook - search My College Dollars or through the website. The site can be accessed without a facebook account online. This app connects students to a list of scholarships they could be eligible to apply for (from a bank of tens of thousands – that have been screened for authenticity), shares information of FAFSA, loans, financial aid deadlines and a calendar to keep it all organized.
• CollegeBoard Scholarship Search - Search for scholarship using various criteria using a short questionnaire. Includes option to search for grants, internships and loans. More than 2300 sources, with nearly $3 billion in funds available.
• Wired Scholar - This website uses extensive questioning to narrow down criteria for scholarship eligibility. Many "unique" scholarship criteria.
• Fast Web - A scholarship search engine with a personalized mailbox. Also contains tips on college search and financial aid process, as well as resources for test preparation.
• Student Scholarships - Student Scholarships matching service (available immediately after Free Registration) searches our database for everything that matches your profile and matches you with thousands of scholarships.
• $cholarship $cams - The Federal Trade Commission tracks scholarship scams and advises students and families how to avoid scholarship scams.

The Mellen School District does not discriminate in the awarding of scholarships or other awards on the basis of sex, color, handicap, race, religion, national origin, homeless status, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Discrimination complaints shall be processes in accordance with established procedure.