Financial Aid Information
Click here to view the Financial Aid Presentation 11/9/2021 from Central Lakes College financial aid professionals!
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is intended to fill the gap between the actual price of post-secondary education and what students and their families can realistically contribute from savings and income to pay for this education.
Financial aid comes in three forms:
1. Grants
Grants are a form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay. Grant Information Online
2. Loans
An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. Education loans come in three major categories: student loans (e.g.,
Stafford and Perkins loans), parent loans (e.g., PLUS loans) and private education loans (also called alternative loans). A fourth type of education loan, the consolidation loan, allows the borrower to lump all of their loans into one loan for simplified payment.
3. Work Study
Work study programs are jobs offered through the college to help you earn money to pay for your education. The school's financial aid office will determine how many hours you are eligible to work according to your financial need and class load. Common work study jobs include being a parking lot attendant, tutoring other students, or working in the college cafeteria, bookstore, or library.
Federal Work Study
State Work Study
How to Apply -Online
All students wishing to apply for Financial Aid must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A FAFSA should be filed even if families assume they won't qualify for aid because it is needed for most loan programs.
The FAFSA is available to fill out as of OCTOBER 1. Please refer to the article at the following link for detailed instructions on the steps to fill out the FAFSA:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/fafsa-application/
Financial Aid Websites
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is intended to fill the gap between the actual price of post-secondary education and what students and their families can realistically contribute from savings and income to pay for this education.
Financial aid comes in three forms:
1. Grants
Grants are a form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay. Grant Information Online
2. Loans
An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. Education loans come in three major categories: student loans (e.g.,
Stafford and Perkins loans), parent loans (e.g., PLUS loans) and private education loans (also called alternative loans). A fourth type of education loan, the consolidation loan, allows the borrower to lump all of their loans into one loan for simplified payment.
3. Work Study
Work study programs are jobs offered through the college to help you earn money to pay for your education. The school's financial aid office will determine how many hours you are eligible to work according to your financial need and class load. Common work study jobs include being a parking lot attendant, tutoring other students, or working in the college cafeteria, bookstore, or library.
Federal Work Study
State Work Study
How to Apply -Online
All students wishing to apply for Financial Aid must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A FAFSA should be filed even if families assume they won't qualify for aid because it is needed for most loan programs.
The FAFSA is available to fill out as of OCTOBER 1. Please refer to the article at the following link for detailed instructions on the steps to fill out the FAFSA:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/fafsa-application/
- Step one -Apply for a FSA ID
- Both the student and parent will need a FSA ID which allows you to electronically sign your application. It will take 1-3 days to receive your FSA ID via email, or 7-10 days by US mail.
- Step two- Gather information
- Start with your Social Security Number, driver's license, income tax information (W2s), bank statements and investment records.
- Step three- Complete the FAFSA. It is advised that you link your FAFSA with your tax returns for the most accurate results.
Financial Aid Websites
- FSA ID: fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
- FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov/
- www.finaid.org
- www.mheso.state.mn.us
- www.iseek.org
- www.getreadyforcollege.org -this site provides a financial aid estimator.
- www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov -this site provides a financial aid estimator
- www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov