Helpful Financial Aid Websites

College Evaluation Tool

NASFAA’s new college evaluation tool is designed to make families aware of the numerous sources for valuable information about cost and value at the schools they are considering.

College.gov

This site is designed by students for students and features first-person accounts of students who overcame challenges to going to college such as peer pressure, lack of family support, and financial barriers. It provides relevant, comprehensive information about why to go, how to go, and how to pay for college or other post-secondary education programs. Young people who may not have considered higher education a viable option will be engaged, informed, and inspired to create their own "roadmap" to college.

CollegeZone.com

This site is a direct link to scholarship searches and information about sources of state aid through Illinois.  The calculator feature will also provide an estimate of eligibility for the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP).

WhatsNextIllinois.org: A Comprehensive Resource for Statewide College and Career Planning

This website allows students and their families to use an interactive one-stop career and college planning resource and find the tools needed to improve college opportunity and lifelong success. Included - at no cost to the user - is information on college and career planning, college applications, electronic high school transcript processing, and test preparation.

FastWeb.com

This site will offer scholarship options for all students.  It is a "scam-free" scholarship search engine.

ScholarshipExperts.com

ScholarshipExperts.com has been helping parents and students find scholarships for over five years. They constantly update their database to provide the most accurate scholarship information available. Just fill out their free scholarship profile and instantly find out which scholarships fit your unique needs, interests and background.

FinAid.org

This site will provide a variety of information regarding financial aid.  If you are interested in getting an idea of what your expected family contribution (EFC) will be use the calculator.

Pin.ed.gov

This is the site where a student and parent can obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN).  This number is unique to each individual and represents an electronic signature which can be used to sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Fafsa.ed.gov

(Please be certain to use the correct extension ed.gov not com).  Complete as soon after January 1 as possible.  The PIN mentioned above will allow a student and parent to complete the application on line and an expected family contribution (EFC) will be provided at the end of the process.

CashCourse

CashCourse is an online resource from the National Endowment for Financial Education that teaches college students and recent graduates about budgeting and how to keep from overspending.  Resources are also available on the World of Work and College Life.

AIE.org

From college planning advice to financial aid information to career guidance, AIE has the reliable information students and parents need to make the right decisions for the future. Get FAFSA help and financial aid assistance, learn about college admissions, and search scholarships for free.

American Council of the Blind

National Federation of the Blind