February isn’t just the time for hearts and chocolates, it’s also Financial Aid Awareness Month, for those with their heart set on higher education. A time to discover all the resources to help you achieve your higher education goals. At Heritage Valley Federal Credit Union, we are committed to supporting our members’ future with the right student lending resources for the right education. There’s nothing sweeter than landing your dream job, and we’re here to help make it happen.
Use This Free Calculator To Estimate Your Federal Student Aid
The Federal Student Aid office of the Department of Education has a free Federal Student Aid Estimator to help you understand your options for paying for college or career school by providing you with an early estimate of how much federal student aid you may be eligible for. You can begin your estimate of Federal Student Aid here and it takes five to 10 minutes to complete >
How The FAFSA Helps You Spell Success
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the starting point most students use to help them pay for school. Completion of this important form is the key to gaining federal and state grants, such as the Pell Grant. Like scholarships, grants are essentially free money to help you pay for college! If you are a high school senior or their parent, The 2025–26 FAFSA form is now available for all students and contributors ready to get started. Complete the form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school >
Looking For Scholarships? Donors Are Looking For You
The good news is scholarships are gifts. They don’t need to be repaid. The even better news is there are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Some scholarships for college are merit-based and there are also scholarships geared toward particular groups of people; for instance, those for for women or graduate students. And some are available because of where you or your parent work, or because you come from a certain background (for instance, there are scholarships for military families). Many local businesses, foundations or civic groups also offer scholarship programs.
A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, it’s worth applying for, because it’ll help reduce the cost of your education.
Finding The Scholarship That's Right On The Money
A good place to start your search is by checking out the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop’s database of 9,500 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities. You can learn about scholarships in other ways, including contacting your high school college admission counselor or the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend. Checking information in your public library or online can be handy. But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don’t have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. Check out information on how to avoid scams here >
Make Your Financial Aid An Educated Guess
Once you make your deposit, you’ll have received your financial aid offer from your chosen school. Therefore, you’ll know:
- The school’s cost of attendance for that academic year
- Your Student Aid Index
- Any scholarships or grants awarded
That will tell you what leftover cost you need to cover through federal and/or private student loans. Once you have that amount, you can begin researching private student lenders, find the one(s) you like, and apply. Typically, you should apply two months before the tuition due date.
Student loans can be a worthwhile investment if they enable you to pursue a degree that significantly enhances your earning potential and career opportunities. Compared to other financial aid options, student loans often provide a larger amount of money. In addition, the money from a student loan can be used on other expenses outside of tuition. When you apply for federal financial aid, you might be offered loans as a part of your school’s financial aid offer. You can also consider a private student loan from your bank or credit union.
Give yourself enough time so you’re not sweating out a decision from the lender the same week as your tuition bill’s due date. Once you have your funding secured, you can focus on enjoying the rest of the summer before you or your student heads off to college.
Start College By Acing Your Student Lending
Interested in applying for a loan with Heritage Valley? We check all the boxes. Our private student lending solution comes with competitive rates, an easy online application, personalized support, and a unique line of credit that allows you to secure funding for your entire undergraduate career with just one application!* Getting Your degree isn’t easy. At Heritage Valley, getting your loan is effortless. Learn more about our student loan options for students and parents here >
* Subject to annual review and credit qualification. Must meet school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
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