College Resources
The college resources listed below provide helpful tools and information for applications, scholarships, financial aid, and planning for life after high school.
Florida Shines provides a link to apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is to be completed by the student to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an online form students complete to apply for financial aid to help pay for college or career school. By filling out the FAFSA, students can qualify for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, as well as many state and school-based aid programs. It collects information about a family’s financial situation to determine how much assistance a student is eligible to receive. Completing the FAFSA is an important step in making college more affordable. This form must be completing in order to be considered for the Bright Futures Scholarship.
The Common Application (Common App) is an online college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities using just one application. It helps simplify the process by letting students enter their personal information, academic history, essays, and activities one time, then submit it to any participating schools.
The Bright Futures Scholarship is a Florida-based program that rewards high school students for their academic achievement and community involvement by helping pay for college tuition. Students qualify by meeting specific requirements in areas such as GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and community service hours. The scholarship can significantly reduce the cost of attending a Florida college or university, making higher education more accessible and affordable for eligible students.
Fastweb is an online resource that helps students find scholarships and financial aid opportunities for college. By creating a free profile, students receive personalized scholarship matches based on their interests, achievements, and background. Fastweb also provides helpful information about colleges, financial aid tips, and career planning tools, making it a valuable resource for students looking to make higher education more affordable.
ScholarshipOwl is an online platform that helps students find and apply for scholarships more easily. After creating a profile, students are matched with scholarships that fit their background, interests, and achievements. The platform streamlines the application process by allowing students to apply to multiple scholarships quickly, sometimes with just one form. ScholarshipOwl also provides reminders, tracking tools, and tips to help students stay organized and increase their chances of earning money for college.
RaiseMe is an online platform that helps students earn micro-scholarships from colleges as early as 9th grade. By creating a free profile, students can track their achievements—such as good grades, extracurricular activities, and community service—and earn small scholarship amounts for each accomplishment. These micro-scholarships add up over time and can be applied toward tuition at participating colleges, making it a motivating and helpful tool for planning and paying for college.