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Financial Aid

Financial aid is money available to help cover the costs of college and career schools. This includes grants and scholarships (free money), loans (borrowed money), and work-study (earned money).

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is Now Available!

Actions you can take to assist in finishing the FAFSA form:

Types of Financial Aid

Grants

A grant is free money that isn't repaid and is awarded based on financial aid through the FAFSA.

Types of Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who meet all qualifications and have not already earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and demonstrate a specific level of financial need (this level changes each academic year). The amount of aid you can receive depends on your financial need, the cost of attendance at your school, and other factors. Learn more about Pell Grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

The FSEOG grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who complete the FAFSA form and meet all other qualifications. The FSEOG program is administered directly by each participating school's financial aid office, and not all schools participate. Check with your school's financial aid office to find out if the school offers the FSEOG. Learn more about Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grants

Students whose parent or guardian has died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria. Learn more about Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education (TEACH) Grants

TEACH grants provide up to $4,000 per year to students who agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant. Recipients must teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families, and meet other requirements. If the service obligation is not met, the grant is converted to a direct unsubsidized loan and must be repaid with interest. Learn more about Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education Grants.

Scholarships

A scholarship is a form of free financial aid awarded to students to help pay for education. Scholarships may be based on academic achievement, financial need, talent, a specific field of study, or other criteria set by the awarding organization. Each organization determines its own eligibility requirements, application process, and how the funds may be used. Scholarship money is typically applied to education‑related expenses such as tuition, books, room and board, and other school costs. The application process varies by scholarship, and students should always follow the instructions provided. You should never pay to apply for a scholarship.

Types of Scholarships

Colleges/Institutions
  • Apply to the college by a specific deadline to be automatically considered for scholarships
  • Apply separately for scholarships through the school’s scholarship database after being admitted
  • Receive a nomination from your high school to qualify for certain college‑based scholarships
Community Scholarships

Naviance Logo - Navigate to Naviance webpage

Students can visit the *Naviance Scholarship List to view local and national scholarships open to Prince William County students.

Directions for accessing the scholarship list:

  • Log in to Naviance Student.
  • Click on PWCS Portal.
  • Click on Colleges at the top.
  • On the right, look under Scholarships and Money.
  • Click on Scholarship Search.
  • Click the favorite heart to add the scholarship to your favorite list.
  • Visit the list often for updates.

Visit the PWCS Naviance page to view a video tutorial and more information.

Note: Inclusion in the Naviance database does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement of the sponsoring organization or the scholarship by the Prince William County Public Schools. The following disclaimer will be included for non-PWCS scholarships:

“Scholarships offered by organizations other than PWCS are neither sponsored nor endorsed by Prince William County Public Schools. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Prince William County Public Schools Information and Instructional Technology Department. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-PWCS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating."

Parent Employer

Ask your parents/guardians to check with their human resources office regarding scholarships for dependents.

PWCS Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids (SPARK)

Scholarship Information

Opportunity Scholarships - College Board

The College Board Opportunity Scholarships offer nearly $5 million each year to reward your efforts to plan and pay for college.

ROTC Scholarships
  • College institutions will represent specific military branch ROTC programs. Be sure to apply to the colleges that offer the military branch of your interest.
  • If you do not currently meet the academic requirements to be considered for your desired branch's ROTC scholarship right out of high school, you can apply for a ROTC scholarship while in college
  • The Student Guide for ROTC Programs (Best Colleges)

Additional Scholarship Databases

Military Dependent Scholarships Resources

Two ROTC students talking to a male and female student

Loans

A loan is borrowed money typically repaid with interest over time. Types of loan include the following:

Work-Study

A work-study program allows students to earn money for college by working part-time while enrolled in school. Federal Work-Study provides part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need to help cover education expenses. Students must search for and apply to available work-study jobs at their school and are paid directly for the hours they work. Earnings cannot exceed the total amount awarded for the academic year, and job availability varies by school. The program encourages community service positions and jobs related to a student’s field of study. Learn more.

Family Resources

How to Read a Financial Aid Award Letter

Award letters or packages provide important information about your cost of attendance to attend a particular college/university. The costs will vary by college, student, and year. These can be provided to you via email, mail, or through the institution’s student portal. Be sure to await all offers before making a family decision. National decision day is May 1 annually.

Terminology

  • Cost of attendance (COA): This is the estimated cost to attend the institution for one academic school year. This estimated amount often includes average tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, and supplies. The actual cost will be provided on your tuition bill.
  • Expected family contribution (EFC): This is how much the family is expected to contribute to your education and is used by schools to determine financial need. The information completed on the FAFSA is used to determine the EFC.
  • Net Costs: This is the cost of attendance minus total grants and scholarships. This is the cost per year that must be paid out of pocket or covered by loans or other aid.
  • Scholarship and grant options: This is money that does not need to be repaid. The letter will identify which types you’ve been awarded and how much you will receive.
  • Student/ Family Loan options: Student/Family loans are financial aid that students/families must repay with interest. These can be accepted or declined.
  • Work-study: This is a program that provides students with part-time work on or near campus. Work-study programs are funded by the federal government and are operated by the institution.

U.S. Department of Education

Additional Resources

  • ECMC is a nonprofit corporation that provides financial tools and services, nonprofit career education and funding for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. ECMC Resource Guides can help students and families make informed decisions about planning and paying for college.
  • Sallie Mae - Decoding Your Financial Aid Offers (PDF)
  • Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) — This is a free application available to Virginians who are nonimmigrants, without documentation, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or are otherwise ineligible to file the FAFSA and would like to be considered for state financial aid. The VASA application provides access only to state and to some institutional financial aid programs. The VASA application does not provide access to federal student aid.