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Financial Aid

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the most important form you must complete in order to qualify for almost all types of federal aid.  Be careful not to go to a website the does not end with ".gov".  Other websites will charge you to complete the application. Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for more information including what types of aid are available. The application is available to seniors after January 1 of their senior year. Be careful to choose the year you are entering college not the current year.

Federal, state, local and private entities use the FAFSA information to determine what aid you may qualify for, including grants, need-based scholarships as well as federal student loans. 

College Goal Wisconsin  (http://www.collegegoalwi.org/) is a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who are filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). 

 

Other Opportunities

The state of Wisconsin's Higher Education Aid Board (HEAB) administers programs of student financial aid, including grant, scholarship, and loan programs; tuition reciprocity agreements; and tuition capitation contracts (http://heab.state.wi.us/).  To be considered for financial aid, all students are required to apply for admission at their chosen college or university and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Minnesota/Wisconsin reciprocity agreement allows Wisconsin residents to attend Minnesota public universities at in-state tuition rates.  Students attending a Minnesota stand-alone Technical College SHOULD NOT USE THIS APPLICATION. Instead, apply directly to the college. Private colleges do NOT participate in the tuition reciprocity program because they do not charge non-resident tuition rates.  More information is available at http://heab.state.wi.us/reciprocity/index.html.

The Midwest Student Exchange Program, or MSEP, is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program. Through the MSEP, public institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs; private institutions offer a 10% reduction on their tuition rates. All enrollment decisions are made at the discretion of the receiving campus and the campus may exercise its right to limit participation or set specific admission requirements for MSEP.  To learn more about MSEP go to http://www.mhec.org/.

Some colleges also require the CSS Profile to be filled out as early as the same deadline as an early admissions or early decision application deadline. The CSS is a fee-based product of the College Board and usually concerns funds disbursed by a college rather than federal funds.

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