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Transparency Report
There are several ways to pay for college including grants, scholarships, loans, and more. Here we'll learn more about student options to pay for education after high school.
Grants - Typically need-based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Grants can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Scholarships - Typically merit-based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Scholarships can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Work-Study - This is "earned money", meaning that you will work throughout the school year and receive a paycheck. This money does not have to be repaid. keep in mind, work-study money isn't simply given to you - the amount you see on your award letter is the amount you are eligible to receive throughout the year. If you don't work, you don't get the money! You may also make less money than the award letter says you qualify for. This money isn't available at the start of the semester, so you won't be able to use it towards tuition unless you set up a payment plan.
Loans - "Borrowed money" - this money will have to be paid back, with interest. There are private loans and federal loans. You should always choose federal loans before private ones because they have lower, fixed interest rates and offer more flexible repayment plans. As an incoming freshman, you qualify for $5,500 in student loans for your first year.
*NOTE: YOU WILL BE OFFERED THESE LOANS AUTOMATICALLY BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT THEM! YOU CAN ALSO ACCEPT A PARTIAL AMOUNT IF NEEDED!
*NOTE: Student loans are in YOUR (THE STUDENT) NAME ONLY! They do not require a parent co-signer and parents are NOT RESPONSIBLE for the repayment of any student loans taken out by the student!
FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid."
What does that mean for you? Free money!
The FAFSA is used by colleges and universities to determine how much help you need financially. Most schools require you to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for any of their scholarships as well, even those that aren't need-based (like academic scholarships, for example).
The FAFSA is used by Federal Student Aid, an office of the Department of Education. That means you can count on your information to be safe and secure.
Anyone who plans to pursue post-secondary education should fill out the FAFSA.
In very special circumstances, people will not qualify for federal aid. Refer to the links below to see if you qualify and if you still have questions, or think you don't qualify, set up an appointment with Mrs. Young or a counselor to discuss it.
If you are an undocumented or DACA-mented student, see the fact sheet below for more information about financial aid that is still available to you, and the steps you may need to take to secure it.
If your parents are undocumented, but you are documented, then you are able to fill out the FAFSA. In fact, the FAFSA doesn't ask about your parent's status.
Sometimes, giving this information to the federal government can be very scary for families. Please know that no information given on the FAFSA will be given to other federal departments, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
For those completing a 2024–25 FAFSA form, you need the following information:
Your Social Security Number
Your A-Number (if you're not a U.S. citizen)
Federal income tax returns, records of child support received; and your current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts (Note: You must provide consent and approval to disclose your federal tax information to be eligible for federal student aid.)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable), net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
An FSA ID (account username and password) to log in to StudentAid.gov and start the FAFSA form electronically
Am I Eligible to File the FAFSA?
Most but not all students qualify for Federal Student Aid. See the graphic at studentaid.gov to ensure you qualify before beginning the FAFSA!
Do I need Parent info on the FAFSA?
Most students will need to provide parent information on the FAFSA! See the graphic attached to determine your dependency status!
Video Instructions:
How to Create an FSA ID
FAFSA Contributors and what it means
2024-2025 FAFSA step by step
I filed my FAFSA now what?
Deciphering Financial Aid award letters can be tricky! Read on for help!
A financial aid award letter is a breakdown of money/financial aid.
After filing your FAFSA, you will receive a financial aid award letter from EVERY single school you've:
Each financial aid award letter will contain the following:
Any scholarships you were awarded from the university and the amount
Student loans (as a Freshman you automatically qualify for $5,500 in loans. You do NOT have to accept these. But it's offered to every student)
Any grants you were awarded from the university, from the State of Michigan and any federal grants (such as the Pell Grant)
Work Study if you selected "yes" to being considered for work study on your FAFSA. This amount varies from student to student, from university to university
You will also see...
The cost of attendance (COA) for each university
Your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), this is the amount, as determined by the income you input into your FAFSA, that your family can contribute toward your education. Don't worry, your family doesn't ACTUALLY have to pay this, most students seek out additional scholarships/ grants to try to cover this cost, if any.
The "out of pocket" remainder the student pay after all scholarships, loans, grants, and work study
The following links will be updated as scholarships open for the current year!
Andy Egan Scholarship
The Andy J. Egan Company, Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI, is a mechanical contractor specializing in the construction and maintenance of commercial, industrial, institutional, and educational facilities. The company believes in young people and in the ideals of Calvin, and this scholarship is its way of supporting the mission of the university in a positive and tangible way.
Basic criteria:
entering freshman year
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
first preference would be a child or grandchild of an employee of the Andy J. Egan Company, if applicable
financial need is considered
Guido Binda Scholarship
Guido Binda was an architect who designed many school buildings in the past, including our former high school, which is our current middle school. Every year, KHHS awards a scholarship from the funds donated by this architect.
KHEA Scholarships
KCEA Scholarship
Athletic Boosters Scholarship
Marne Conservation Club Scholarship
Comstock Park Rotary Club Scholarship
Here is a list of local scholarships! By local it can mean just for students in Kent County, at a certain school, or just Michigan based.
*Remember: All scholarships are different! They have different criteria needed to apply and most importantly, different dates they open and close!
If you notice a link that still has last years deadlines, wait patiently and continue to check back! It just could be that it hasn't opened for the year yet. If scholarships had a "season" I'd say November through March! So check in and check back often!
Lake Michigan Credit Union Scholarship
Fred and Lena Meijer Scholarship
Michigan Retailers Association
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships
MI- Fostering Futures Scholarship
Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation
University Club of Grand Rapids
Arab American Women's Business Council
Children of Veteran's Tuition Grant
American Council of Engineering Companies
Arbor Financial Credit Union Scholarship
Horatio Alger State Scholarship
Michigan Jump$tart Scholarship
Grand Rapids Rosa Parks Essay Contest
Polish Heritage Society Scholarship
Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship
Michigan Sugar Company Scholarship
Economic Club of GR Scholarship
Gerald M. Crane Music Scholarship
Grand Rapids Theater Scholarship
The GR Economic Club 43rd-Annual-Essay-Contest-Flyer.pdf
Download The GR Economic Club 43rd-Annual-Essay-Contest-Flyer.pdf
Miller Johnson Diversity Scholarships
Here are some National scholarships to consider!
Remember! It's important to start with local scholarships, THEN branch out to National ones! You have a MUCH higher chance of winning scholarships when it's just other local students!
Prudential Spirit of Community
Daughters of the American Revolution
Digital Responsibility Scholarship
Get Schooled #Webelongincollege Scholarship
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
Visual Arts Foundation Scholarship
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Helmer, Conley and Kasselman Scholarship
Home Clean Brighter Future Scholarship
Women's Ministries Scholarship
Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
NACME Scholarship- Minorities in Engineering
Steve Duckett Local Conservation Scholarship
Builders Association Scholarship
Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
United Negro College Fund Scholarships
College Covered ( Discover Scholarship)
Taco Bell- Liv Mas Scholarship
Most Valuable Student Scholarship-Full Ride Possible
Asian American/ Native American/ Pacific Islander Scholarship
Engineering/ Geoscience Scholarships
FOSSI-Future of STEM Scholarship
What Is TIP?
The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is a state of Michigan program that provides FREE college for students who have been on, or are currently on Medicaid and have been for 2 consecutive years.
TIP runs in two phases: These two periods of assistance are referred to as ‘Phase I’ and ‘Phase II'.
Long story short: If you qualify for TIP, you can attend GRCC, or any Michigan-based community college for FREE and earn your Associate's degree!
Eligibility:
Student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive month period between the ages of nine and high school graduation.
For renewal, must meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
You can find out if you qualify 1 of 2 ways:
Ask your school counselor! We are provided a list by the state of MI each year of eligible students!
Call 1-888-447-2687 to speak to a live human to confirm your eligibility!
For more information and to see schools that accept TIP funding, click here!
TIP Tips
TIP= Tuition Incentive Program
TIP=FREE EDUCATION!
TIP will pay tuition at the lower-level resident rate per credit hour for tuition and mandatory fees at 2 year and some 4 year universities! This means you can earn an associates degree for FREE!
TIP will NOT cover room and board and meal plan charges. This is where Pell grants, scholarships, grants and possible loans will come into play.
If you’re an early/middle college student, you have until you’re 21 to graduate and complete a TIP application. All others have until the age of 20!
Phase 1 TIP= Your tuition and fees are covered at community colleges and up to the lower-level resident rate per credit hour at select 4 year universities.
Phase 2 TIP=maximum of $2000 for credits earned in a 4-year program at an in-state college or university.
FAFSA COMPLETION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE TIP FUNDS! When you complete your FAFSA, you MUST indicate the school you plan to use your TIP at as your FIRST CHOICE on the FAFSA! This is IMPORTANT!
If you attend a college out of district, the out-of-district rate may be authorized.
EXAMPLE ON HOW TIP WOULD BE USED!
Let’s use our hypothetical student: Benedict Cumberbatch.
Benedict is TIP eligible and has decided to attend Ferris State University!
Ferris is a Phase 1 and Phase 2 eligible school! Yay!
Benedict completes his FAFSA in October and indicates Ferris as HIS 1st CHOICE on his FAFSA.
Benedict is accepted to Ferris and is enrolled as an ASSOCIATE degree-seeking student. This is crucial for Phase 1 TIP coverage! You MUST be an associate degree-seeking student.
Benedict’s TIP will cover $483.00 per credit hour of his tuition and fees, but not his room and board. At 12 credit hours per semester, This is $11,592 of yearly tuition paid for! He is responsible for the cost of living on campus. This is where the Pell Grant, scholarships, grants, and loans will come into play!
Benedict ONLY takes courses that are required of his associate degree program because TIP will NOT cover classes outside of the program he’s enrolled in.
Benedict graduates with an associate degree, but he’s not done yet! He continues on to his bachelor’s degree from Ferris. (Go, Benedict!)
Now Benedict is eligible for $2,000 more TIP dollars total to complete his bachelor’s degree. ($500 a semester for his remaining two years) in addition to any additional aid as determined by the FAFSA and the university.
Benedict graduates and is winning at life! Thanks, TIP!