Promise Zone Scholarship- free tuition and fees at Muskegon Community College

Michigan Tuition Incentive Program - free tuition at any community college & then $2,000 toward your Bachelor's Degree

1. Scholarships- Money given to you that you do not have to pay back based on achievements

2. Grants- Money given to you that you do not need to pay back based on financial need

3. Work Study- On-campus work that is paid for by the government and the institution

4. Loans- Borowed money that must be paid back with interest

      -  Subsidized Loans: The Department of Education pays the interest while you're in school (the better loan option!)

      -  Unsubsidized Loans:  Interest accrues while you're in school and you must pay it

 

Want to learn more about college finances? Click here 

1. Go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm and create individual FSA IDs for both the student and parent

2.  Go to fafsa.gov

3. Gather all financial info you'll need

  -  Your social security number

  -  Your parents' Social Security numbers and birthdates

  -  Your family's latest federal income tax returns

  -  W-2 forms

  -  Bank staments

  -  Info on your family's invesements (real estate, money market funds, stocks, etc.)

4. Submit your FAFSA

5. Review your Student Aid Report with the college adviser (they will help you see if you need to do anything else) and make any changes

6. Respond to aid offer (& accept the aid you want)

7. Receive aid from your school

8. Reapply for the FAFSA each year you're in school 

 

The FAFSA can seem like a daunting task, but it will be a breeze if you follow the steps above and ask the college adviser about any questions you have. 

 

Estimate your aid with FAFSA4caster here

FAFSA FAQs & more FAQs 

 

1. WCHS's college adviser or counselor

2. Your prospective college's financial aid office

3. Federal Student Aid website or fafsa.gov

4. Scholarship donor/organization for specific scholarship questions

 

 

There may be separate application processes for Michigan's Student Aid Programs like the Tuition Incentive Program (free community college), Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and Michigan Tuition Grant.

 

You must also submit your FAFSA by March 1 to be eligible for these programs. 

 

Please also ensure that the school you will most likely attend is first on your FAFSA because for these programs, the first institution listed is considered the priority school to send the student aid to. Students are responsible for notifying MI Student Aid of a change in their college choice. This can be done through the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 1-888-447-2687.