Financial Aid

Getting Started:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA.  This is the form used by most colleges to help determine financial need;
• At the federal website, you will be directed to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which serves as your electronic signature on the form and gives you access to your personal information;
• Sterling College's federal school code for the FAFSA is 014991;
• Complete the Sterling College Financial Aid Application;
• By completing both the federal form and the Sterling College form, you will be considered for all federal and institutional awards; no additional applications are required;
• The federal methodology from the FAFSA determines a student's financial need and measures the student's ability to pay; it will determine the size of the award;
• Sterling College grants and scholarships are based on both financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) and how strongly your application for admission speaks to the values of and desire for a Sterling education; you are your best cheer leader!
• Don't forget to apply for state grants through your home-state's financial aid agency and do remember that deadlines vary from state to state.

Applicants may qualify for the following Federal and State Aid Programs:

Pell Grants
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Work-Study
Sterling College’s Work-Learning-Service Program
State grants
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Veteran’s Administration Benefits
Stafford Loans (subsidized or unsubsidized)
PLUS  (Parent) Loans

You may also qualify for Sterling College awards, ranging from $250 - $12,500 per semester. Sterling College provides grants and scholarships to individuals on the basis of both need (based on FAFSA) and merit (characterized by academics and/or individual qualities presented by the applicant in the admission application).  In 2010-11, Sterling College awarded $1,350,100 in institutional awards.

Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are used. The FAFSA and the Sterling College Financial Aid Application may take up to two weeks to process, so we urge you to submit them as soon as possible, even if you are unsure about your college plans. Don’t forget to apply for state grants through your home-state’s financial aid agency, and remember that deadlines vary from state to state.