<p>Good for you. I worked with a young lady during high school and she is now a college sophomore. It is tough when you have no funds but it can be done.</p>
<p>They need to complete the FAFSA. If they will need the financial information of the parent they live with. If they have ever been homeless or are under the care of the state or a legal guardian then they will file as an “independent” and their parent’s information won’t be needed.
Go the FAFSA.gov and you can download the form and print it out - that way you can read through it and see what will be required.</p>
<p>IF they have an EFC of $0. They will qualify for the maximum pell grant. Also other federal grants may be available namely the SEOG (unless that got eliminated).
They will also qualify for Stafford Loans. $3500 subsidized the first year plus an additional $2000 unsubsidized.
There are some other grants and loans available depending on their major - such as the TEACH grant. State grants may also be available.
Federal financial aid works the same with a community college and accredited vocational programs. For vocational programs ask the school if they participate in the federal financial aid program. For a variety of reasons I would steer away from for-profit schools.</p>
<p>Fee waivers exist for SAT/ACT and for applications. Kids who qualify for free/reduced lunch will get a waiver. Yep - they get them from guidance.</p>
<p>It is really hard to go to a “meet full need” college with no money. They don’t go by the FAFSA EFC and their definition may be different.
If these kids have really good grades and decent SAT’s there may be some local privates with good scholarships available, especially if they are active and leaders in their school.
One private in our county has a lot of scholarships for talented local kids.
Otherwise public schools are probably the way to go, esp if they are cheap in your state.
What state do the kids live in?
Are any recruitable? Keep in mind that while D3 schools don’t have “athletic” scholarships many do have merit scholarships for certain athletes.</p>