Institutional College Forms v Some colleges have their own financial aid forms to be completed in addition to the forms mentioned above. It is your responsibility to find out if a college requires an additional form and what the deadline is.
Special Circumstances Divorced or Separated Parents If your parents are divorced or separated, some colleges and universities might require financial information from both parents. Typically, the FAFSA and CSS Profile should be completed by the parent who is the custodial parent (the parent with whom you live or with whom you spend the most time). The non-custodial parent might be required to complete a Non-Custodial Parent Statement (colleges have their own forms) and submit it directly to the college. Business / Farm Supplement Parents who own a business or a farm or are otherwise self-employed must complete the Business/Farm Supplement in addition to the FAFSA and CSS Profile (when required). This form can be obtained at the financial aid office of any college or university.
II. No-Need-Based (or Merit) Scholarships Many businesses and schools offer no-need (merit) scholarships to qualified students. Although the college counseling office updates scholarship information, it would be impossible to maintain a complete list. You should inquire about scholarships within the community and at all of the schools to which you apply. Here are a few suggestions for conducting a college scholarship search: v As mentioned above, contact the schools to which you are applying about scholarship opportunities they may offer, or research their websites. v Check Family Connection for scholarship listings, and pay attention to the email scholarship alerts sent out by the college counseling office. v For athletic scholarships, you should contact the athletic office of the college to which you are applying. If you intend to play a sport at the college level, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse the fall of your senior year. Forms are available through Ms. Pena. [Note: Ivy League and Division III schools do not give athletic scholarships.] v Read through the books we have in our office on scholarships and financial aid. Some suggested resources include The Scholarship Book and The Financial Aid Book. v Talk to local organizations and affiliations that your parents may have. Sometimes their employers may provide a link to a scholarship. Check out the resources at your local library. Public libraries are often sent information regarding college scholarships. v Try www.fastweb.com—a legitimate scholarship search engine.