FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is a general term used to define the ways in which students may cover the costs of their education following high school. Aid can come from the federal government, state agencies, colleges and nonprofit or private organizations. It includes:

  • Grants—financial aid based on income that does not have to be repaid

  • Scholarships—financial aid that does not have be repaid and is usually contingent on academic performance

  • Loans—borrowed money that must be repaid with interest

  • Work study—money earned through a work program

Federal programs are managed by the U.S. Department of Education, and state programs are managed by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. To be considered for federal and state funds, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid that determines a student’s eligibility to receive aid.

Department of Education

https://studentaid.ed.gov | 1-800-4FED-AID

The U.S. Department of Education awards about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 15 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid also helps pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)

https://www.pheaa.org | 1-800-692-7392

PHEAA supplements federal funds and manages financial aid programs specifically for Pennsylvania residents. Its website is a helpful resource for understanding the steps to applying for aid, and offers information on the average cost of attendance for college in Pennsylvania.

View the 2020-2021 Student Aid Guide (PDF)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

https://fafsa.ed.gov | 1-800-4FED-AID

Both federal and state agencies use the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Students planning to pursue education beyond high school should submit a FAFSA in their last year of high school using the earliest financial aid deadline imposed by their potential college choices. For example, a student graduating in 2020 and planning to start college in the fall, fills out the 2020-2021 FAFSA using 2018 federal tax information. Filling out the FAFSA form online will generate the fastest results on your financial aid status. If you prefer paper, you must call to request one.

To fill out the FAFSA, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

To expedite the process:

  • Download and use the 2021-2022 FAFSA Worksheet (PDF) beforehand to collect the required information.

  • Obtain a Financial Student Aid (FSA) ID. If you have a current PIN number, you will need to replace it with a FSA ID.

  • Use the IRS data retrieval tool when completing the FAFSA form online to automatically input the required financial information.

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Scholarships - We have now provided links to our Google Scholarship page:

CURRENT NEB SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

For more information about the scholarships listed above, visit the website listed or go to the high school guidance office.

To learn about many other scholarship opportunities, visit StudentScholarships.org or check out the Guidance Sites webpage.

Students who take the SAT and PSAT can opt into Student Search Service to make their names and information available to scholarship programs as well as colleges. For more information, visit https://student.collegeboard.org/student-search-service.

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NEB Student Loan Fund

Graduates of Northeast Bradford High School who are attending college or trade school are eligible to apply to receive a student loan to help with educational costs through the NEB Student Loan Fund.

Resources

  • FAFSA Tipsheet (PDF)
    This one-sheeter provides the basics on filling out the FAFSA.

  • FSA ID Handout (PDF)
    This piece provides tips and instructions for creating an 
    Scholarship Tips (PDF)
    This one-sheeter goes over eligibility, searching and applying for scholarships.

  • Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide (PDF)
    This guide provides a complete overview of the financial aid process, with information on most of Pennsylvania’s financial aid programs and services. Find everything parents and students need to know about paying for higher education, understand the criteria for applying for and receiving financial aid, and review the checklists and timelines.

  • FAFSA Forecaster: Use to estimate your eligibility before submitting a FAFSA.

  • Federal Student Aid Resources

  • PHEAA Helpful Websites