Financial Aid
Financial Aid consists of funds provided to students and families to help pay for post-secondary educational expenses.
- Grants/Merit Scholarships (free money)
- Gift Aid (Need based grants/Scholarships--free money)
- Self-help (work, savings, loans)
The FAFSA is the primary federal form for financial assistance to attend post-secondary schools. It determines expected family contribution and need as well as determining eligibility for most aid programs. A FAFSA must be filed each year a student attends school to be eligible.
The FAFSA application opens December 1 for Seniors who are applying to colleges for the next calendar year.
Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process. Review the Frequently Asked Questions for help with FAFSA.
The College Affordability Guide provides information and advice to students and parents regarding their options for cost reduction for their degree and provides information about which colleges are making high quality education affordable.
2024-2025 Financial Aid Night
Sun Valley High School hosted a Financial Aid Webinar on October 9, 2024. During the webinar, Fran McKeown from PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) discussed applying for financial aid, important updates to FAFSA from the FAFSA Simplification Act, available grants and loans, and much more.