Wayne Central High School

What is Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Sources of Financial Aid

Financial aid helps pay the cost of attending college. Depending on the type of college, costs may include:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Books and supplies
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous personal expenses
• Required loan fees
• Study abroad costs
• Dependent care expenses
• Expenses related to a student's disability

• Grants (free money)
• Scholarships
• Work Study
• Loans

Financial aid is based either on a student's financial need or merit, such as high grades or ability in a sport. 

Grants and scholarships are known as "free money" because the student does not need to pay this aid back.

Work study and loans are "self-help aid" because in each case, the student either needs to work in order to receive the aid or to pay the funding back, plus interest, after graduation.

Sources of Financial Aid

• Federal government 
• New York State
• Colleges
• Community organizations, associations and other groups
• Scholarships

Please utilize the links below to learn more about the sources and how to apply for aid. 

Understanding FAFSA/TAP

FAFSA and TAP: What and Why? Presentation (Click on date for Link 

September 17,6pm

NYS Financial Aid Program Presentation (Click on date for Link)

September 18,6pm

Admissions and Financial Aid Connection Presentation (Click on date for Link)

September 24,6pm

Creating a Smart College List Presentation (Click on date for Link)

September 30,6pm

FAFSA and TAP Applications Expected to Open in October

Tips to get ready to file. 

Create a StudentAid.gov Account: Both students and their contributors will need an account before they can submit a FAFSA.

Gather Necessary Documents: Have key documents ready, like tax returns, W-2s, and Social Security numbers

Double-Check Deadlines: Emphasize the importance of submitting applications early to maximize financial aid opportunities.

HESC Text Alerts
Students can sign up for HESC Text alerts and deadline reminders and tips right to their phones

Need Help Completing FAFSA

Creating Your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account (Click on date for Link)

September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 4pm 

Senior Year: Navigating College Financial Aid (Click on date for link)

September 4, 11, 15, 29, 6pm

HESC Drop-Ins: Get Assistance with Financial Aid Questions (Click on date for link)

Every Wednesday, 2pm

DREAM Act/ Alt Path Support Sessions (Click on date for link)

September 9, 5pm

FAFSA Form

Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. You must apply for aid every year, but with the right information in hand, it's easy.

Step by Step Guideline for completing the FAFSA

2025–26 FAFSA Form Preview Presentation

To assist the community with planning and communicating changes to the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, we are pleased to provide the attached Microsoft PowerPoint presentation and PDF file with information and screenshots of the 2025–26 online FAFSA form.

NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York State residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. TAP is one of the grants, scholarships and awards programs administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)

HESC helps New Yorkers attain their higher education through the administration of: New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), 25 State scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, New York’s 529 College Savings Program (with the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC)), and Financial aid outreach programs for students and families.

CSS Profile

CSS Profile is the leading nonfederal aid common application used by hundreds of institutions and scholarship programs.

Fin Aid.org

Information on financial aid for college and tips on how to help ease the burden of college expenses.

National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators

Our mission at NASFAA is to provide professional development and services for financial aid administrators; advocate for public policies that increase student access and success; serve as a forum on student financial aid issues and commit to diversity throughout all activities. While our primary focus at NASFAA is assisting financial aid administrators, we have compiled some resources for students, parents, and counselors.

NYS Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship provides tuition awards to eligible students attending New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY). This scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY college tuition-free.

FAFSA and CSS Filing How Tos and Pitfalls

How Do You Get Financial Aid and Scholarships?

How to Pay Your College Tuition Bill with a 529 Plan

Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae is here to help financially with private student loans and savings accounts, and Sallie is for everything else that comes along with higher education. We’re bringing both together under one mission and making sure our products work together to better support students and families.

Student Loan Repayment Calculator

This student loan repayment calculator compares all repayment options.

Example of College Loan Repayment Chart