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Financial Aid
This page will be used to share information on paying for college and the financial aid process. Most students get help paying for college. Use these resources to figure out how to find and apply for financial aid and scholarships, and how to understand the difference between gift aid, loans, and work-study jobs. Financial aid is money that helps pay for college. For most students, financial aid is essential to making college affordable.
What are the main sources of financial aid?
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Federal Government: The federal government provides financial aid for college. Federal financial aid eligibility is based on the information you report on the FAFSA.
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State Government: Most states offer financial aid to residents who live in and attend college in that state. You may need to fill out a state-based financial aid form in addition to the FAFSA to be eligible for any aid your state offers. If you have questions about state aid forms and eligibility, you can search online or reach out to your financial aid office.
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Institutions: Colleges have their own financial aid funds to give students. Some colleges may require the CSS Profile or an institutional aid form to award this aid, while others may only require the FAFSA.
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Other sources: Although federal and state governments and institutions are the 3 main sources of financial aid, other sources are available. For example, there are outside scholarships or private loans that can be used to pay for college.
What are the main types of financial aid?
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Grants: Grants don’t need to be repaid and are sometimes called “gift aid” or “free money.” Grants are need-based, which means your ability to receive them is determined by the financial resources you report on your financial aid forms.
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Scholarships: Scholarships also don’t need to be repaid and can be awarded for a variety of reasons, including need or merit. Merit scholarships are usually based on characteristics such as academic achievement, athletic ability, or talent. College scholarships can come from your institution or an outside source. Although some may be automatically awarded, many require an application.
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Work-study: Work-study is a type of financial aid that requires you to work to earn money in the form of a paycheck.
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Loans: Loans are borrowed money that needs to be repaid with interest, meaning that you’ll pay back more than the amount you borrowed.
Make early contact with your school's financial aid office. Some scholarships will require you to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The direct link to the FAFSA can be found here. The FAFSA for 2025-26 Academic Year will be available by December 1, 2024.
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is offering virtual meetings for State Aid and FAFSA, the main application used to apply for federal or state-supported financial aid to pay for a college education, with one on one appointments for families who need assistance.
​The one on one appointments can be booked through this link.
Georgia's HOPE Program
The HOPE Scholarship pays for a portion of tuition for schools in Georgia. Eligible students must have a 3.0 HOPE GA and have taken at least 4 rigorous courses. The Zell Miller Scholarship pays 100% of tuition for public schools in Georgia. Eligible students must have a 3.7 HOPE GA, meet the Zell Miller test requirement (1200 SAT or 26 ACT), and have taken at least 4 rigorous courses. To check your eligibility, please visit GAfutures.org. Create an account if you haven't already done so to view your HOPE GPA. More information about Georgia's HOPE Programs can be found at https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/
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Scholarships
Below is a list of scholarships that you can apply for if you are interested. This list is updated as we are notified of scholarships, so check back frequently! Be sure to pay attention to deadlines!
Use the sites below to help aid you in your scholarship search.
Paulding Ed Foundation
The Paulding Education Foundation and its family partners are proud to offer several scholarships that are available to students within the Paulding County School District. Visit their site for more information on specific scholarships, qualifications, and deadlines
GAfutures
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GAfutures is your one-stop shop for career/post-secondary planning! If you need assistance with paying for college, click on the Federal Aid & Scholarships tab on the website. You’ll find lots of great tips, including tips for finding scholarships!
BigFuture
BigFuture is the College Board's Scholarship Search! Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion. Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches. Scholarship info is based on the College Board's Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.
Scholarships.com
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Scholarships.com is a wonderful resource for college students who aspire to kill two birds with one stone—the site finds both scholarships and colleges that are perfect for you! It also allows you to pinpoint specific scholarships by your major, year in school and location, increasing your chances for receiving awards and saving you tons of time.
Fastweb
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Fastweb is a terrific, free resource where you’ll find thousands of scholarships at your fingertips. Not only does Fastweb offer a massive database of monetary awards, but it also features helpful career planning services and learning tools for its registered users.
Chegg
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Chegg (formerly Zinch) is a college students one-stop-shop for scholarships that are creative, easy and fun to apply for and win. To apply for scholarships via Chegg, you’ll have to create a username and profile that will help the site find scholarships that are relevant to you!
Going Merry
Going Merry is a free scholarship and financial aid platform. There is personalized matching and there are thousands of scholarships available.
Peterson's
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Peterson’s can help you identify potential schools by matching your needs with the institution that offers what’s important to you. The site also offers search features related to financial aid and scholarships!
Cappex
Cappex let’s you set up an account to help narrow down your college search! Additionally, the site is still helpful during your undergrad years, offering ample scholarship opportunities and financial advice.
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