senior spotlight: e - What funding can i still get as a senior?
Here is the million dollar question, for some families with multiple kids it can taken LITERALLY!
In other blogs we discuss the real costs of post-secondary education, types of financial aid, and how to build a strong student profile or “stats” page throughout high school. These article may still be informative, but if you are already familiar with this information continue reading on.
The earlier the better is certainly true, but there is still plenty of aid to apply for senior year. If you feel very confidently you will be attending a state university, apply for Priority Registration, a non-binding, early application process that can maximize aid for first come first served awards. We will cover student loans in article, this one is focused on debt free aid and tuition reduction. Please remember to check out our list of free college options.
There will be links to the programs discussed below on our resources page
Start with dual enrollment at your high school that may be relevant to your major and ask the school if they offer any financial aid. Then you can reach out to the early college programs at local colleges or universities to inquire about financial aid for high school seniors. Be sure to mention you are a senior as other programs will not apply to your grade. FREE OR REDUCED
Consider CLEP tests. If you test well, get a prep book, take a practice test, and take a CLEP for about $90 if your potential school accepts CLEP for credit or to skip classes. Currently in Arizona, a three credit community college class will run you just under $300. This means CLEP tests can save you about $200 a class if it means it is one less class for your degree. Beware of CLEP tests that do not transfer. University three credit classes run $400 for ASU ULC, or as high as $2800 as a freshman taking a single course. View CLEP as huge way to discount tuition. REDUCED
Promise scholarships- AZ Promise, Utah Promise, California Promise, are all states offering this financial need based program. In Arizona, Mesa Promise, Phoenix Promise, are programs that meet remaining financial need specifically for tuition and fees. Remember from our other blogs, this does not include ANY OTHER COSTS. This does not pay for books, supplies, extra fees, transportation, housing, food, and living expenses. This does mean that any student who qualifies for a Pell grant will FIRST, have their Pell money applied, then have the Promise funding applied. This means all Pell students will have tuition covered! FREE
Merit Based Tuition Waivers- Scholarships most commonly awarded based on GPA or test scores that can reduce tuition by offering awards as high as 100% tuition. Tuition waivers may be combined with need based aid, such as Pell Grants, which could help cover room, board, and living expenses. Check out our list of affordable universities here FREE OR REDUCED
Institutional Aid- grants and scholarships that are federally or privately funded through individual colleges. Schools vary in allowing funding to be stackable, or whether their aid is first dollar or last dollar. FREE OR REDUCED
Work Study- many schools offer work study which is on campus job positions often with hours limited to 20 hours a week with varying pay scales. Preference is given to students with financial need. The wages can be applied to any expenses. EMPLOYMENT
Work Reimbursement or Aid-your parents may be employed by a company or part of a professional association that offers funding for their employees children. Additionally, students may be employed at companies like Starbucks, McDonald’s, or Taco Bell that offer scholarships or partnerships with specific schools. FREE OR REDUCED, EMPLOYMENT BASED
Foster Youth- Arizona offers a wide variety of funding to foster youth or former foster youth (who meet specific requirements). Arizona State University offers free tuition. Grand Canyon University offers full rides that include tuition, fees, room and board. FREE
Native American- students with tribal membership in federally recognized local tribes to the southwest receive full tuition scholarships at public state universities. Do not forget to check out the scholarships offered by the tribal colleges as well. Art students check out Qey’s Dream Scholarship at CalArts for Indigenous students. https://www.calarts.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/qeys-dream-scholarship-for-indigenous-artists FREE OR REDUCED
Private Scholarships-funds offered independently from the states, federal programs, or institutional aid are offered by corporations, professional associations, non-profits to name a few sources. For Arizona students apply to the Arizona Community Foundation. For non-member check out our resource pages for local scholarships. For Prickly Pear Tier members, Saguaro Tier members, or clients receiving packages, we will match you with local scholarships as a feature of your program. FREE OR REDUCED
Raise Me- is a micro scholarship app that cannot be combined with local merit awards. Ideal for students who may not qualify for merit based scholarships at ASU. A variety of universities across the country utilize Raise Me to offer scholarships that reduce tuition. Most will not reach full tuition amounts, aid is divided across all four years, read the fine print regarding GPA, select schools require financial need to receive the awards. REDUCED
FastWeb- a free scholarship database that allows you to create an account, share your academic profile, and then suggests scholarships with link to apply. FREE OR REDUCED
Talent Based Scholarships- athletics, artistic or creative talent, volunteer work, research, or academic competition placements and awards can earn you scholarships, these are generally included in a category previously mentioned above as Private Scholarships or Institutional Scholarships. Don’t be afraid to promote your talents on social media, but be sure to have an admissions friendly public page that will make a positive impressions on donors or admissions advisers if you choose to pursue this option. FREE OR REDUCED
FAFSA/Pell Grants- there are many articles regarding Pell grants and FAFSA so this is a brief summary to explain Pell grants. Pell grants have a maximum amount that varies year to year. Currently, the highest award amount is $7,395 for the 2024-2025 year. Your letter will give you an estimate, but this amount is not guaranteed at all schools. Being Pell eligible often qualifies students for additional state or institutional funding. Some schools will require you to utilize all your Pell money towards tuition BEFORE applying merit aid while other schools allow stacking, apply merit aid FIRST, and then Pell grants. This allows you more funding to cover books, supplies, and living expenses. Students who are documented or citizens qualify for aid even when their parents are undocumented. Undocumented students do not qualify for funding through FAFSA, but do qualify for Private Scholarships and institutional aid at certain schools. FREE OR REDUCED (varies based on families estimated need numbers and the cost of your prospective school)
AP Exams- if you have financial need, or may have qualified for need between January of Sophomore year and December of Junior year, you may qualify for fee waivers for the AP exams, or your schools may offer assistance for the costs. Community college and state schools may give college credit for specific AP scores. Be sure to understand how AP exams are used at your prospective school and what scores are required. REDUCED
Concurrent Enrollment- if you have accelerated in high school, surpassing the academic offerings of your high school, they may pay for concurrent enrollment classes such as advanced math, science, or foreign language. If it is confirm your school offers to pay for concurrent enrollment, it may be worth taking free online summer school classes to maximize this opportunity. It is important to note, schools are not required to accept transfer credits from summer school. It is advised to confirm with your adviser and registrar that they will accept the transfer credit and pay for advanced concurrent enrollment classes in writing via email or ECAP. The local community college may also offer concurrent enrollment financial assistance. REDUCED
