Home • About • Contact Us •
Home » College

Paying For College

College costs a lot of money. How are you going to pay for it? Colleges will expect you and your family to pay what you can. Then there are scholarships, grants, and loans to help you with the rest.

One essential in paying for college: COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA as early as possible after January 1 of your senior year. The FAFSA is your key to federal and state financial aid.

Aid comes from different sources: Federal and state governments, colleges and universities, and private groups and foundations. Tap into all sources of free aid—scholarships and grants—first. Then use low-interest government loans. Never pay for your education with a credit card!

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The first step in getting your hands on grants, scholarships, work-study and loans is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA helps the U.S. Department of Education determine the amount you and your family are expected to contribute to your college expenses, and colleges determine how much aid you qualify for and what they can award you.

How Much Does College Cost?

Cost of Attendance (COA): College expenses vary greatly. Each college estimates the COA by adding together: Tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, books, supplies, and other miscellaneous living expenses.

Types of Financial Aid

College can be expensive. Don’t give up when you see the price tag. Financial aid is available to help you meet the cost of higher education. There are several types of aid available to you.

College Scholarship Guide

application/pdf iconDownload the Scholarship Guide download icon open in new window icon Google Docs Viewer icon
Scholarship guide

We are pleased to provide the 2012-2013 Scholarship Directory to you. This resource is designed to assist you with your scholarship search. Our list is compiled of information that various CPS-affiliated providers distribute, and many of the scholarships that past CPS students have won. We wish you luck with your search and hope that you will be among the numerous CPS alumni whose scholarship awards contributed to millions of dollars received by students in the district last year.

Strategic Scholarships

What is a CPS "strategic" scholarship?
A CPS Strategic Scholarship is a scholarship that is offered by an organization, company, institution, foundation, individual or family that specifically targets and awards Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school students. There are millions of scholarships that students can apply for; however, it is the goal of the Office of Pathways to College and Career to identify scholarship opportunities that specifically target CPS students as recipients.

Why is it important for CPS students to apply for these "strategic" scholarships?
Because the preferred applicants are, in part or as a whole, CPS students!

CTE

Would you like to attend a CTE College and Career Academy High School? Find out which schools are still accepting students.

Read more
IT's your summer

5th, 6th, and 7th graders sign up for IT summer camp now!

Read more
What's Next IllinoisWhat's Next Illinois!Read more

Recent News

Upcoming Events