Financial Aid - Paying for College
For many students and their parents one of the most challenging aspects of preparing for college is determining how to pay for it. The resources provided on this page are designed to assist students and their parents in understanding the costs of college and the financial aid opportunities available to them. Please use the links below to help you navigate this page.
Financial Aid Resources
Spring 2012 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Information (pdf download)
Spring 2012 Cal-Grant Information (pdf download)
- Applying for a Cal-Grant? You will need to fill out the GPA Verification Form (click link to download) and take to Mrs. Browning in the front office - WAIT for her to fill it out and return it to you.
Fall 2012 UC/CSU Tips for Families for Financing a College Education (pdf download)
Fall 2012 Financial Aid Tips for Families, from the UC's (pdf download)
COC Financial Aid Office Website – COC’s Financial Aid Office has a plethora of information for students seeking financial aid for college, including information on the different types of aid and how to go about applying for financial aid.
US Dept of Education College Affordability and Transparency Center - This website provides information about the cost of college (including tuition, fees, books, etc).
Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation – Since 1951 the SCVF has been recognizing and rewarding the achievements of graduating seniors of the William S Hart Union High School District.
Western Undergraduate Exchange – This website provides information about the requirements and procedures for getting your tuition reduced at specific schools in western states.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – The primary application for public financial aid and a required document for most students applying for any type of financial aid.
Valencia High School Counseling Office Webpage – In the right hand column of the VHS Counseling Webpage is a link to a variety of scholarships available to high school students in Santa Clarita.
FinAid – This site offers comprehensive financial aid information on everything from scholarships to grants and loans.
FastWeb - One of the largest, searchable scholarship databases in the United States. It is free to use, and can give you access to information on hundreds, if not thousands, of scholarships that fit the criteria you select.
Scholarships.Com – The other primary scholarship database used by students in searching out scholarships. It is also free.
Current Scholarship Opportunities
Los Angeles County Scholoarship List
A (long) list of scholarships open to LA country high school seniors, along with eligibility requirements and links for information/applications.
The Art Institute - Scholarship Competitions (Deadlines Vary)
If you are interested in attending The Art Institute please consider competing for a scholarship. The three scholarship competitions are Best Teen Chef (deadline 2/3/2012), Passion for Fashion (deadline 1/20/2012), and Storytellers Photography (deadline 3/2/2012). You can look at posters highlighting the competitions hanging on the wall outside Mrs. Nossaman's office and visit www.artinstitutes.edu for more information.
Imagine America Foundation Scholarships (Various deadlines)
The Imagine America high school scholarship program can help graduating high school seniors who meet the recommended guidelines receive a $1,000 tuition discount that can be used at career colleges participating in the Imagine America Scholarship Program throughout the nation. The online application can be found at www.imagine-america.org. Students should click on the "High School Scholarships Apply Now" button for more information.
2012 Essay Competition For Children of Public Employees (Deadline: May 11)
Civil Service Employees Insurance Company (CSE) will award various scholarships from $250 to $1500 based on an essay discussing ways the teenage automobile accident rate can be reduced.
- Applicant must be a California, Arizona, Nevada or Utah resident attending his or her senior year of high school.
- Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Applicant must have been accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or trade school, in the United States, with intent to enroll as a full-time freshman by the Fall 2012 session.
- The applicant's parent or legal guardian must be currently employed full-time by -- or if retired or deceased, must have been employed full-time by -- a government entity. This definition of public employee includes, but is not limited to, peace officers; firefighters; educators; postal employees; military personnel; and federal, state, and local government workers.
- CSE employees, employees' relatives, and its agents and vendors are not eligible
2012 Filipino-American Association of SCV JRSAA Scholarship (Deadline May 16, 2012)
$1000 for 1st prize, $500 for 2nd, $250 for 3rd. Criteria: a) Filipino descent whose parent/s reside or employed in SCV, b) graduating senior and enrolling in college, c) 3.5+ GPA, d) involved in extracurricular activities in school, community or the association's activities/events. See Mrs. Nossaman for an application packet.
The Christian Cennector Christian Scholarship (Open through May 31)
The Christian Cennector provides a FREE Christian college information service as will as a $2500 Christian college scholarship drawing. Students can simply log onto the website to request information and automatically be entered into the scholarship drawing. This is an opportunity to utilize free college searches and search for different types of scholarships that are of interest. www.christianconnector.com