b'STEP 8: Start Thinking Aboutbe eligible for all financial aid from the federal government,Paying for College your state, and the college you ultimately choose to attend.Many colleges also require you to submit the FAFSA toRead pages 39-50 of the Guide and check out thebe considered for major scholarships. We recommend youFinancial Aid and Scholarships feature on the SUTC submit your FAFSA by December 1 st to be considered formobile app. the best financial opportunities available.Watch the video Paying for College Some colleges and universities require students to completeon www.youtube.com/StepUptoCollege. the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile), whichcollects information for financial aid decisions. You are By planning early, you will be prepared to pursue a financial eligible to receive CSS Profile fee waivers if you are aaid award that will make attending college possible for you. first-year undergraduate applicant whose parents live in theUnderstanding how to break down college costs and apply United States. The application opens on October 1, 2021.for financial aid is critical when choosing a college. It is available at https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org.Learn about the types of financial aid: Learn the seven steps to conquer the FAFSA Grants (such as Federal Pell) are considered gift aid With your family, look over the FAFSA tips and resourcesand do not have to be repaid. PHEAA, www.pheaa.org, on pages 44-45 of the Guide and on the SUTC mobile appis available for residents of Pennsylvania. for step-by-step instructions on completing the FAFSA. Scholarships can range from a few hundred dollars The 2021 form will become available October 1, 2021. to the entire cost of your education, and do not needUse the Net Price Calculatorsto be repaid. Net price calculators are federally mandated to be on all Loans (such as direct loans and private student loans) college and university financial aid websites to provide ahave to be repaid with interest. financial aid estimate based on cost of attendance. Visit Federal work-study provides you with part-timewww.collegecost.ed.gov/net-price to search for dierentemployment on campus. schools calculators and to learn more.Familiarize yourself with the FAFSA and CSS Profile Research scholarship opportunitiesThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)See pages 50 and 61 of the Guide for a list of scholarshipsis available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You must complete and and scholarship search engines. You can also access thissubmit this form to the U.S. Department of Education to information on the SUTC mobile app. Rising Senior ChecklistThe eight action steps to take this summer: Plan for upcoming college visits.Obtain a copy of the Guide, download the free SUTC mobile app,Familiarize yourself with the application process and college and get connected to the digital media resources.admissions options. Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT. Draft your application essays. Learn about dierent types of colleges. Understand financial aid, gather financial documents (such as Determine what colleges might be a good fit for you. 1040 tax forms, W-2 forms, etc.), and research scholarships.Questions?Visit www.stepuptocollege.org for more information. Philadelphia Futures is available to answer your questions about the college admissions process. Email stepuptocollege@philadelphiafutures.org.'