Scholarships and Financial Aid

FAFSA and TASFA applications are OPEN!!!  Priority deadline for FAFSA is November 15, so make sure you get your application finishes!
  • If you have a Social Security Number, you will fill out the FAFSA
  • If you do not have a Social Security Number or have a Social Security Number through DACA, you will fill out the TASFA

     Click here for FAFSA        Click here for TASFA in English       Presiona aqui para TASFA en Espanol     

Bring proof that you completed one of the applications to the College and Career Room to receive a sweet treat!  Remember: No treat 'til you complete!

The month of November is all about "Tying Up Loose Ends".  Use November to finish all outstanding applications.  That includes college, financial aid, and scholarship applications.  The College and Career Room staff will have some amazing prizes available to students who complete applications. 

Scholarships

Students can apply for scholarships to help pay for the cost of college. There are a variety of ways to access scholarships. Students can find these scholarship opportunites through...

  1. Naviance - Seniors have specific accounts to search college, career, and scholarship information on this site. Scholarships are posted by the College/Career Facilitator, Mrs. Parker, that are received by Terry High School plus there is access to national scholarship search with Sallie Mae. Students must log in to Naviance to access the information and applications.
  2. Colleges and Universities - Most colleges offer scholarships through their admissions office, financial aid office, and/or campus departments. Since each college varies students should contact the school directly or go to the college website to inquire about campus scholarships, the application process, and deadlines.
  3. Raise.Me - A micro-scholarship site where students can earn money from colleges beginning in the 9th grade for making good grades, taking SAT and ACT tests, visiting colleges, etc.  The money can add up quickly! 
  4. Internet Scholarship Search - Students can use websites to search for scholarships. Usually students need to create an account and profile so scholarhips can be matched to the students' criteria and elgibility. Students should NOT have to pay for any resource to find scholarships. See the right column under Scholarships!!! to access these links.

99% of scholarships are usually directed towards seniors graduating and starting college the next fall semester. There are a handful of scholarships and contests available to juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. This information received at Terry High School is published on Naviance. See the right column to link to Naviance Family Connection.

Financial Aid

Financial aid consists of grants, loans, employment opportunities, and scholarships to help students finance a college education. Financial aid resources are intended to supplement, not replace, the financial resources of the family.

In order to apply for financial aid, students and parents will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The earliest students can submit the FAFSA form is after October 1st of their senior year. Priority deadline is March 1st.

  1. The first step to completing the FAFSA on the web is to request a PIN number, which is used to electronically “sign” your name. You can go to www.pin.ed.gov for the PIN number. Both student and parent need a PIN number to complete the FAFSA.
  2. Then go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete and submit the FAFSA. If you supply an email address, you will receive a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR) in one to five days. If you do not supply an email address, you will receive a SAR Information Acknowledgement within two weeks. Remember to print of all your information including the FAFSA form and the SAR so you may readily access them.

All schools you list on the FAFSA form will receive your financial information. The Financial aid office will use the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine how much federal student aid you can get. They will then notify you of your financial aid package for that specific school.

The schools you are applying to may also have campus-based aid programs, so check with them about applications and deadlines. Remember, if you do not meet deadlines you will miss out on aid for your education.

Each school year, Terry High School hosts "Fill Out the FAFSA" nights to help seniors and their parents complete their financial aid applications. This is free help from local financial aid representatives. Check the THS news on the home page for dates and times.

Need help with scholarships and financial aid? Then visit the College/Career Center to get help from the College/Career Facilitator.