Financial Aid
Students should research scholarships and grants from the schools they are interested in by utilizing the specific institution's financial aid department and website. All universities have different requirements for their financial aid and students must pay attention to the deadlines and applications of the specific schools to which they are applying. Click on the links below for more information on financial aid. Visit our Scholarships page to the left for links to numerous scholarship opportunities!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - What is FAFSA and why should I fill it out? You need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and it gives you access to the largest source of aid to help you pay for college or career school. Click here for a brief overview and click here to apply.
Changes to FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) received a makeover last year. The Department of Education released a streamlined FAFSA in response to the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress in 2020, which aims to reduce the number of questions on the application and make Pell Grants and other federal aid more accessible. Unfortunately, last year's FAFSA implementation was plagued with glitches and delays. In order to prevent a repeat of last year, the U.S. Department of Education has recently announced that the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open on December 1st, 2024 for all students and include a phased rollout. The phased rollout will allow for any necessary fixes before the site opens to all students. Click here for more information.
Federal Student Aid Support Chatbot: Cardi - The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education introduced Cardi, a new chatbot designed to assist students and families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Cardi is designed to ensure students receive the financial aid they need. Key features of Cardi include 24/7 access for instant FAFSA assistance, user-friendly and easy to understand language, features both FAFSA and Virginia-specific financial aid information. To see Cardi in action visit FAFSA and FSA ID texts.
FAFSA Completion - Do you have concerns related to your high school within the data or on the FAFSA form? The Federal Student Aid “FAQ” and “Data Details” pages reflect recent changes and trending questions, including the definition of a senior, why some schools are not listed on the FAFSA form, and common errors or misconceptions when analyzing the data.
Community College and the FAFSA - The cost of higher education is only increasing, whether you plan to attend a community college, a private university or a public institution. Fortunately, there are various programs available to help parents and students pay for college. However, most of these programs are dependent on you completing and submitting the FAFSA. Click here to find out how it applies to community college students.
What You Need to Know About Financial Aid - The Office of Financial Aid at Christopher Newport University put together this presentation to help explain common financial aid terms, such as cost of attendance, expected family contribution, and financial need. Click here to view this helpful presentation.
ECMC Student Resources - ECMC provides resources that can help you make informed decisions about planning and paying for college, to include Financial Awareness Basics, Resource Guides, an Estimate of College Costs and more! Click here for more information.
Decoding Financial Aid Offers - The Sallie education solutions company offers a resource on Decoding Your Financial Aid Offers and a Financial Aid Offers Comparison Worksheet to help cut through the jargon, avoid surprises, and provide a straightforward way to compare multiple offers.
If you are a foster, unaccompanied, or homeless youth, please see below for additional financial aid resources.
Project LIFE - Project LIFE (Living Independently, Focusing on Empowerment) has many tools and resources to help teens and young adults from foster care to thrive. Click here for more information.
Great Expectations - Every student deserves a bright future. In Virginia, thousands of students who have experienced foster care find success through a Great Expectations program at one of Virginia’s Community Colleges. From selecting a school to securing financial aid to cover your tuition, Great Expectations can make it happen for you. Click here for more information.
FAFSA Simplification Act and Homeless Youth - The FAFSA Simplification Act aims to remove many of the barriers faced by youth experiencing homelessness or with experience in foster care. Use this resources to familiarize yourself with the changes for homeless and foster youth.
ECMC Resource Guides - ECMC provides college resource guides that cover a range of topics related to preparing for and going to college, to include housing insecurity and college, accessing college as an undocumented student, navigating the financial aid process and more! Click here for more information.
Homeless Youth Handbook - The Homeless Youth Handbook is a guide for homeless youth with information about your rights, responsibilities, and resources in every major aspect of your life. Each Handbook is created based upon State specific law – look at the Handbook for the State you live in for additional help and information. If your State is not available yet – check back! New States are added often. Click here for more information.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) offers a comprehensive range of services consisting of workforce development activities benefiting job seekers—adults, dislocated workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, individuals with disabilities—and employers. Browse the State Training Provider Directory for job opportunities in the local area. Click here for a WIOA Fact Sheet and here for more information.
This list is for general informational purposes only. Appearance on this list does not constitute an endorsement and descriptions of services from providers is not exhaustive.