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Home / Learn / College & Career / Finding Your Fit / College Pathway / Paying for College

Paying for College

The cost of college can seem overwhelming, and may cause students to question the wisdom of the investment. Despite the costs, a college degree continues to be a strong investment that pays off over your lifetime. You also don’t have to approach it alone. Your counselors and Future Ready Center staff are here to help you through the process to make a wise financial decision. The information below walks you through how to access the financial aid needed to attend and complete college.

Counselors and the Future Ready Center are available to meet with you in person or virtually to develop a postsecondary plan. Just click the link below and complete the short request form to schedule a meeting. 

Request a College Advising Meeting

Types of Financial Aid

What type of financial aid is available?

Federal Aid

Federal aid typically accounts for the most financial support in attending college. Federal aid includes:

  • Grants: Money that doesn’t need to be paid back
    • Based on family income
    • Maximum available is $6,345 a year
  • Loans
    • Direct Subsidized Loans: Income based eligibility, lower interest rates, don’t accrue interest while enrolled in college
    • Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Higher interest rates, but still lower than market rates. Interest accrues while enrolled but don’t have to pay back until after graduation.
    • Direct PLUS Loans: Loans that parents can take out, lower than market rates but still expensive. These should be treated as a last resort.

Information on applying for federal aid is listed in the next section.

Federal Student Aid

Pennsylvania Aid

Pennsylvania provides aid to students that enroll in colleges within the commonwealth. This aid is based on the institution, students receive more aid for more expensive colleges. The maximum funding available is $4,123 a year. Pennsylvania also offers student loans that may be preferable to private loans or federal PLUS loans.

Pennsylvania State Grant Program

PA Forward Student Loans

College Based Aid

While the sticker prices of colleges may be high, many colleges offer significant merit and need based financial aid. Several tools can help you identify colleges that are a financial fit. Visit the College Scorecard link below to research college cost. Each school provides an estimate of true cost based on family income. Also linked is a list of colleges that meet full financial need for students.

 
College Scorecard

 
Colleges Meeting Full Financial Need

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are available for qualified students. McCaskey maintains a regularly updated database of local, regional, and national scholarships.

 
McCaskey Scholarship Website

529 College Savings Accounts

529 college savings account are tax advantaged accounts to save for your or a relatives education. All account growth is untaxed which can provide long term benefits.

PA 529 Plan

Finding a 529 Plan

Other Scholarships for SDoL Students

There are several college scholarships available exclusively for School District of Lancaster students.

  • MLK Jr. Memorial Fund: Private scholarships totaling $175,000 a year offered exclusively for McCaskey students
  • McCaskey Scholarships: Lancaster Education Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for McCaskey student

Other Loans

Private loans are available if needed. These, however, should be viewed as the last resort.

One exception is no-interest loans through the Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning. Students can receive loans for up to four years that never accrue interest.

Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning

Steps to Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Use the steps below to complete the FAFSA and get access to thousands of dollars in federal aid. Over 85% of applicants receive some sort of assistance!

Step One: Create an FSA ID

The FSA ID is a username you create to complete the FAFSA. You can complete this at any time. The student and guardian must both create an FSA ID and should save the information for future use.

 

FSA ID

FSA ID Record Sheet (English)

FSA ID Record Sheet (Spanish)

FSA ID Record Sheet (Swahili)

Step Two: Gather the Correct Information

To complete the FAFSA you will need some key information. This includes:

  • Student FSA-ID and parent’s FSA-ID (to log in and sign the FAFSA)
  • Parents’ 2023 tax returns and W-2s
  • Your 2023 tax returns (if filed) and W-2s (if student or parent worked)
  • Social security number and permanent resident card if not a US citizen

If you want assistance from a  a member of the Future Ready Center you can complete the worksheet below and provide it to them. They will work with you to complete the FAFSA.

Step 3: Fill Out the FAFSA Form

Go to FAFSA.gov and complete the FAFSA.

FAFSA Website

Step 4: Complete the PHEAA Application

Next you’ll need to complete the PHEAA application. The end of the FAFSA should prompt you to submit your PHEAA as well. You can also apply using the link below.

PHEAA Website

Additional Resources

Finding the Right College

Learn More

Preparing for College

Learn More

Applying for College

Learn More

Transitioning to College

Learn More