Financial Aid & Scholarships

WELCOME SENIORS

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for GCHS Seniors will be posted on this site as it becomes available.

You are going to want to become familiar with this site as you go through your Senior Year! Be sure that you check here often for updates on scholarships. You can also view many opportunities on the bulletin board outside of the Counseling Office.

Don't miss all the great things we will be posting...

Local Scholarships
Foundation Scholarships
FAFSA Information
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
College Dollars

Financial Aid Information

GCHS will have two FAFSA HELP SESSIONS with INvestEd:

January 7th from 3-5:30pm in the GCHS Library
April 7th from 2:30-5:30pm in the GCHS Library

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FAQ - FAFSA & FINANCIAL AID

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Student Aid. It is a FREE form to apply for federal student aid for college or graduate school using tax information and other data to determine a family's eligibility for grants, scholarships, loans, and work study programs.

Does the FAFSA cost anything to file?
NO! The FAFSA is always free to file. Do NOT pay to file this form. If you are asked to pay, you are in the wrong place!

Where do I go to fill out my FAFSA?
Filling out your FAFSA online is the quickest and most convenient option. Click HERE to go to the online application.

What steps do I take?
Step 1: Create an FSA ID - Click HERE! You will need a FSA ID in order to file the FAFSA. The student AND the parent will need to create separate IDs.
Step 2: Gather your income income tax forms from the previous year. These will be filled out in order for you to apply. You may also need: SSNs, records of child report received, current balances of cash/savings/checking accounts, net worth of investments/businesses/farms
Step 3: File your FAFSA

Is there a deadline to apply?
Yes! We encourage you to apply by March 1st, but Indiana's priority deadline for filing the FAFSA each year is April 15th.

How can I get help in filling out the FAFSA?
Filling out your FAFSA is a step by step process. On the site, you are able to use chat features and you can check the FAQ's section as well. Students should make sure they are attending school meetings.

GCHS will also have two help sessions with INvestEd:
January 7th from 3-5:30pm in the GCHS Library
April 7th from 2:30-5:30pm in the GCHS Library

You may also make an appointment with your student's counselor anytime after Christmas break for additional help or questions.

I've filed the FAFSA... Now what?
Wait for your Student Aid Report (SAR) to be returned by email. Check to make sure it is correct and make any necessary corrections. Once you receive your SAR, you will also receive your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the amount your family is expected to pay.

What types of financial aid are offered?

GRANTS: Money from the government (federal or state) or your school that does not usually need to be paid back. Most are awarded to students with financial need and many have deadlines you must meet.
LOANS: Money that is borrowed and must be paid back with interest. There are many different types of loans, so you'll want to make sure you understand the ones you decide to take out and use.
WORK STUDY: Money that may be offered to you based on your student aid report, giving you the opportunity to work on your college campus for scholarship money.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Money you do not have to pay back! College/Universities will offer numerous scholarships specific to their school or your area of study.

We have a list of "College Dollars" available on our website - click HERE to view.

FAFSA General Assistance

1-800-433-3243

Additional Websites & Information

Federal Student Aid Estimator

FAFSA FAQ's

Questions Families Might Have

GCHS College Dollars

Local and Foundation Scholarships are posted on posted on the website - click HERE to view.

Scholarship Information

FOR THE CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP LIST FOR THE CLASS OF 2025, PLEASE CLICK HERE

You will have many Scholarship opportunities throughout the year. The major scholarships are:

Lilly (Mid August)
Decatur County Community Foundation (early January)
Locals (early March) will be announced when they become available

Check these websites out! You don't want miss out on this great list of resources for additional scholarships!

BigFuture Collegeboard

SCHOLARSHIP REMINDERS

SCHOLARSHIPS REMINDERS

Applicants may pick up necessary information and direct all questions regarding scholarships to the School Counseling Office.

You will have many Scholarship opportunities throughout the year. The major scholarships are:

Lilly (Mid August)
Decatur County Community Foundation (early January)
Locals (early March) will be announced when they become available

To view the Scholarship List for 2025, click here. This document is updated as we receive scholarships.

Unless a scholarship is only submitted online, all completed scholarships should be submitted in hard copy form.

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:

Transcripts

For Local Scholarships: All local scholarship applications require a transcript. The Counseling Office will automatically provide a transcript to each completed scholarship application that is turned into their office.
For any other scholarship that is requesting a transcript: Please request a transcript from the Counseling Office. You can also stop in or email Mrs. McCamment. We can print you off a copy or email you a pdf version to submit.

Applications

All applications should be typed! Each scholarship is editable/fillable. You will need to download the application to allow this to happen.
Watch for due dates! An applicant must submit their application by the deadline.
Be neat! Several applications just simply do not give you enough space to type in (ex: extracurricular activities). If that is the case, then simply type in "Please see attached document." in the line and attach a separate document.
Make sure your name is on each paper of your attached document(s) in case it should get separated from your application.
Make sure that you have all required documents together before submitting your application (recommendation letters, essays, application, etc.)
Any application not turned in on time will need to be submitted to the proper scholarship committee and not the Counseling Office.

Recommendation Letters

If a scholarship requires a letter of recommendation, the applicant should give those individuals ample time to complete the letter.
Please request that the letter be placed in a sealed envelope upon completion.
It is your responsibility to collect the letter and turn it in with your completed application by the deadline.

Reminders

All applications should be typed!
Be aware of due dates!
Give references ample time!
Be neat and complete!