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Financial Aid
Let’s be real—college is expensive, and the price keeps climbing. That’s why it’s so important to think about how you’ll pay for school before you jump in. If you don’t have a plan, it’s easy to end up borrowing more money than you actually need, which can lead to debt that sticks with you long after graduation. The good news? With the right preparation, you can set yourself up for the career you want without putting your financial future on the line.
This might be the first big financial decision you’ve ever had to make—and it’s one of the most important ones. Taking the time to figure it out now will make a huge difference later.
FAFSA - Federal Student Aid
Senior FAFSA Timeline
October 1st
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Start your FAFSA (most colleges require it).
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Submit your Bright Futures Scholarship application.
February
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Many colleges have priority deadlines — try to apply by then.
Late February – March
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Colleges may reach out if they need more info about your situation.
End of March
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Admission letters are sent out.
April
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Review your acceptance offers and compare financial aid packages.
May 1
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Decision Day! Tell your college where you’ll attend and pay your deposit.
CSS Profile - Non-Federal Institutional Aid
Senior CSS Profile Timeline
October 1st
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October 1st - Start Application.
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Collect all necessary documentation prior to beginning the application!
University Deadlines
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Deadline for completion of the CSS Profile varies by school. The Collegboard has a list on their website of all schools who accept CSS.
Apply For Bright Futures
Senior Bright Future Timeline
October 1st
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October 1st - Start Application.
June of Graduation Year
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Your transcript is automatically sent to the FLDOE where they verify your qualifications.
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Ensure ALL community services hours, test scores, etc. are on your transcript.
Guide to Completing the FAFSA
Documents to Collect Before Completion :
1. Personal Information:
- Social Security Number (or Alien Registration Number if you’re not a U.S. citizen)
- Driver’s license (if you have one)
2. Financial Information:
- Your federal tax return, W-2s, or other records of income (for you and your parents, if you’re a dependent student).
- Records of untaxed income (like child support or veterans benefits).
- Bank statements and records of savings/investments
3. School Information:
- A list of colleges you’re applying to (so your FAFSA can be sent to them)
Guide to Completing the Bright Futures App
Steps to Complete the Bright Futures Application:
1: Create a student account
To begin, you must create a student account on the Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs website:
Navigate to floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org.
Under the "First-Time Applicants" section, click to create a student account.
When creating your profile, use a personal email address, not your high school email, and provide demographic and academic information.
2: Complete and submit the FFAA
After creating your account, log in and complete the FFAA online.
The last day to submit the FFAA is August 31 after your high school graduation. For mid-year graduates, the deadline is December 31.
3: Ensure your high school transcript is submitted
Your official high school transcript, including your final GPA, required coursework, and graduation date, must be submitted for evaluation.