The first step in securing financial aid and scholarships is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for Federal grant, loan, and work funds and State of Illinois grants. The FAFSA is also used by colleges and universities across the country as the starting point for determining their school-specific financial aid and scholarships.  

Starting with the class of 2021, submitting the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (for those students not eligible to submit the FAFSA) is an Illinois high school graduation requirement. We recommend that ALL seniors complete the FAFSA/AAIFA sometime between October 1st, when the form becomes available, and Thanksgiving of senior year. This is the time when funding is the greatest in the State of Illinois. You will find the application and information about filing at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Also check our JHHS Resources For Seniors and Scholarships tabs in the right-hand navigation menu for further financial aid information specifically for the senior class. 

Senior Financial Aid Presentation (September 2020): Mark Anderson, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Lake Forest College
(Want to view slides instead of watching the video? Click here.)

Ayuda Financiera - clase de 2021 (Espanol)
 
FAFSA 2021-22 Informational Packet (for students starting college in Fall 2021- including what you need, directions, and how to create an FSA ID)
 
FAFSA Manual de Información 2021-22 (Para Iniciar en otoño 2021)
 
​Ineligible to complete the FAFSA? In order to meet the Illinois high school graduation requirement, (and to potentially be eligible for state aid and benefits) instead of the FAFSA students should fill out the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. For a detailed user guide with screenshots, click here. To go straight to ISAC's website to submit the application, click here.

Does the college you are applying to required the CSS Profile? Find out more about what that is here.

Thinking about appealing your Financial Aid decision? Check out this "tip" sheet first!
 
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Junior Financial Aid Night Information (March 2020 event was canceled)

• Please watch the March 2019 recording here.
• See information slides from what would have been the March 2020 presentation here.
• Financial aid handout with more links.

General information on Financial Aid for all grades can be found below:
Questions to ask colleges about financial aid.

For information about scholarships, click here to review our Scholarship webpage