FREE Webinars and FAFSA Resources:  It is important students and families read all available resources to understand the FAFSA and how to complete it! A few helpful links attached, below.

• FAFSA You Tube: What changed on FAFSA and various short videos  https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid (be sure to only view videos posted in the last two months for the new '24-'25 FAFSA)
• PHEAA- State Granting Agency, Parent/Student Resources https://www.pheaa.org/tools-resources/parents-students/index.shtml
• IMPORTANT!!! Updates on how to LINK & APPLY for State Grant- ALL STUDENTS SHOULD APPLY!!!! https://www.pheaa.org/StudentAid/
• PHEAA links page: https://linktr.ee/pheaa
• Sallie Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/tools/virtual-events/
• Sallie Mae: About the FAFSA https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/financial-aid/fafsa/
• Sallie Mae: How to answer questions on the FAFSA? https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/financial-aid/fafsa/fafsa-guide/

Current Seniors starting college in FALL 2024 must complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. 

The federal form is NOT yet available and is hoping to open with a target date of October 1, 2024.

FAFSA + FIN AID Materials- CLICK for toolkit of materials (FAFSA Tip Sheet, PA Forward Student Loans pamphlet, Scholarship Tips, FSA ID, PA Student Aid Guide '24-'25) Physical copies of the FIN AID Toolkit can be requested and sent home with students by reaching out to school counselor directly.

FAFSA information and application found at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa - Must be completed for every college-bound student!!! Application found online. School counselors are unable to assist students with the completion of their FAFSA. Both student and one parent will need to register for a FAFSA account (after October 1 of senior year).  Both must have a valid personal e-mail address and Social Security number.  Completing the FAFSA early will ensure that students can apply Early Action/Early Decision and students eligible to apply for Esther Ludwig will have the documents needed.

PA State Grant Program: www.pheaa.org  Students must ensure that in addition to the FAFSA, they complete all required documents to PHEAA for consideration of the state grant program. https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/pa-tip/apply.shtml  

IMPORTANT! Don't stop at the FAFSA Confirmation page, CLICK "Start your application to apply to PA-based financial aid" link

Tips for searching Scholarships: click for tips 

1) Search Local: Esther Ludwig, Google doc link (below), BCCF, Lions Club, Rotary Club, local legion, local banks, credit union, student or parent employers.  

Click on the Google Doc below for a list of local and national scholarships. These are scholarships the HS Counseling Office has featured. It is up to you to search for all the opportunities available through your searches! 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8EbtdUQn5G-sovs_xGRZ5gVUiM6JBw9v-a1EyK_-Pk/edit

• BCCF- Berks County Community Foundation https://bccf.org/scholarship-opportunities/
  • Application opens January 1, 2024; Deadline March 1, 2024. Click "Apply for a Scholarship" to create an account and get started.

• Esther H. Ludwig Scholarship - A longtime resident of Perry Township, this scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to the residents of the Hamburg Area School District who attend "colleges, universities, seminaries, academies and like institutions of learning which educate students or prepare them for vocations, business or professional careers...so they can be more useful citizens."  Anyone applying must be a resident of the Hamburg Area School District, meet the Unweighted GPA requirement (as of the end of junior year)
  • 85% Unweighted CUM GPA if you are attending a 4-year college as a full time student -or-
  • 80% Unweighted CUM GPA if you are enrolling in a trade/technical program as a full time student
  • The application process will be open from November 1, 2023 until January 8, 2024. Click for explanation of FAFSA delay and January 8 deadline. 
  • For more information or to apply go to http://csascholars.org/ludwig/index.php.

2) Search National: Collegeboard, Cappex, StudentScholarships.com, etc.