What is Financial Aid and How Do I Get It?
When people say the words “financial aid,” it may bring up a number of mixed emotions. You may think to yourself that financial aid is some type of magical unicorn money that you’ll never qualify for, or that the process to apply for aid is too hard. Well, I am here to dispel these myths and tell you what financial aid really is!
Financial aid is money to help you pay for college.
Financial aid can come from the federal government, state; school and private lenders, and outside scholarship donors. No magical unicorns are needed to apply, and if the process seems too tricky, you can visit the EFSC Office of Financial Aid for help.
Let’s talk a little bit more about types of aid and how you can get it.
Different Types of Aid and How to Get It
Grants: A type of gift aid from the federal government or state that you don’t have to repay. It is essentially free money to help you with your college expenses. Not all students qualify for grants, as this type of aid is considered need-based. Your FAFSA application determines whether you have need for grants. Some grants from the state are also first-come, first-served, so you want to make sure to apply early every year.
Federal College Work-Study: This is a type of self-help aid. If you qualify for this type of aid, you can apply to work in a part-time job on campus and get a paycheck. Just like grant money, work-study money is need-based. Your FAFSA application determines whether you have need.
Loans: Borrowed money to help finance your college expenses. Just like other loans you might borrow to purchase a car or house, student loans are funds to help you purchase your college education. Keep in mind that loans have to be paid back — sometimes with interest.
- To apply for Grants, Federal College Work-Study or Federal Student Loans, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.
- If you are a high school senior or a returning Titan and you plan on taking classes any time during Fall 2020, Spring 2021 or Summer 2021, you can complete the 2020-21 FAFSA starting October 1, 2019.
- Make sure that you submit your FAFSA as early as possible to meet important deadlines.
- View a list of Financial Aid Priority Deadlines, and be sure to check your myEFSC message center for any additional documents that may be due to the Office of Financial Aid.
Scholarships: A type of gift aid from the state, school or outside donors that is based on academic merit or special talent. Scholarships do not have to be paid back, and they can come from a variety of sources, so the sky is the limit here!
- If you are a Florida high school senior, you can apply to the Florida Bright Futures Program for state scholarships.
- This application must be completed during your senior year of high school (or by no later than August 31 after your high school graduation).
- If you are an admitted student or a current Titan, you can apply for our Foundation Scholarships through myEFSC by clicking on the “Titan Awards” icon. Foundation scholarship applications usually must be completed a term before the award is used. For example, Spring Term Foundation scholarships are applied to Fall Term.
- Learn more about Eastern Florida State College scholarships.
The Office of Financial Aid
Did you know that the Office of Financial Aid is available on each of the four Eastern Florida campuses? You can visit the Melbourne, Palm Bay or Cocoa offices 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You can also visit the Titusville office 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. We can also be reached by email at finaid@easternflorida.edu or by calling 321-433-7339.
Now that you know about the different types of aid and how to get it, get out there and apply. Your future is waiting at EFSC!
- Your StudentAid.gov Dashboard - October 20, 2021
- Yes, You Can Use Your Financial Aid To Buy Books! - June 2, 2021
- Thinking About Borrowing a Federal Student Loan? - March 31, 2021
