Financial Aid Resources
Additional Resources
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible Americans benefit from federal financial assistance — grants, loans, and work-study programs — for education beyond high school.
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
The Foundation administers scholarships and interest-free educational loans- approximately 85 scholarship funds and three loan programs.
MassMentor
On their website, you can explore financial aid options, file the FAFSA online, and find scholarships, grants, and loans.
2Futuro®
Un program de financiamiento y ayuda al alcance de familias de habla hispana.
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
MEFA is a self-financing not-for-profit state authority dedicated to keeping college education affordable for families.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
This is the U.S. Department of Education central database for student aid. It receives data from schools, agencies that guarantee loans, the Direct Loan program, the Pell Grant program, and other U.S. Department of Education programs. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and Pell grants that are tracked through their entire cycle, from aid approval through closure.
Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) is primarily responsible for the administration of all state funded financial aid programs. Their mission is to provide access to financial aid resources to Massachusetts residents.
College View
The College View site has a financial aid section that includes information on understanding financial aid, and a scholarship search and directory.
Peterson's Education Center
Peterson's site has a financial aid channel that allows the user to research scholarships, loans, and other financial information.
U.S. Department of Education
The department (ED) will provide more than $67 billion this year, about 70 percent of all student aid, to help millions of students and families pay for post-secondary education. This site has a financial aid section that includes a guide to finding financial aid, which tells who is eligible for student financial aid and how to apply. It provides information about accrediting agencies, tax credits for education expenses, and additional sources of aid. You can compare programs and costs at 9,000 post-secondary schools in the U.S., apply for aid online, and find answers to questions such as, "Why should I go to college? What can I do to prepare for college?"
Financial Aid Information Page
FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web. Access to FinAid is free for all users and there is no charge to link to the site.
The College Board
This site has a "Paying for College" section that can help you figure out what college really costs, and what you can afford. Advice, information, and interactive tools will help you navigate the financial aid maze and figure out how to pay the bill.
Fast Web Scholarship Sources
This is a free scholarship search database containing 600,000 scholarships worth over a billion dollars.
College Answer
The "Planning for College" destination, from SallieMae. Learn to assess yourself, understand college requirements, prepare for standardized tests, and get college advice.
Broke Scholar
A comprehensive scholarships database that matches student information with relevant financial aid opportunities.
Helpful Hints
- To receive priority consideration for financial aid, new students should return all requested documentation by March 1; returning students by April 15.
- The FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA should be completed on-line or mailed in by February 15. Be sure to include the Elms College code (002140) on the FAFSA. Figures from the most recent completed tax returns are preferred on the FAFSA, but projected estimates may be substituted to meet priority deadlines.
- Please write the student's name and social security number on all forms submitted to financial aid.
- Sign all documents as requested.
- Always retain copies of all forms for your records.
- Please respond promptly to all requests for documentation from financial aid staff.