Financial Aid 101

The Academy Program provides 9th-12th grade students with opportunities to learn about the professional world and complete an internship. Students will meet at a business location in West Michigan and will immerse themselves in the business with a team of other students from around Ottawa County to solve a real challenge that the business is facing. The program runs 2 days/week from approximately 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Jan. 6 to Feb. 28 (16 total meetings) and students will need to provide their own transportation. First year participants can earn 3 free transferable college credits and second year participants earn 3 additional credits. More information and a link to register are available HERE. 

Seniors/Senior Parents: The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is NOW AVAILABLE. Submitting the FAFSA is the first step to getting student grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans for post-secondary education. It also helps determine eligibility for most state aid programs, like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which can cover up to $27,500 for college.  Please follow the steps outlined in this letter for more details.

The counseling office will be hosting Co-op info meetings during Advisory on Friday, October 17 for current SENIORS interested in learning more about the program for second semester. Co-op is on-the-job training at a work site during the school year that can earn seniors high school elective credit. Please complete this form if you are interested in details about the Co-op application process and will have secured a job by October 30 that will continue through the 25-26 school year. The deadline to register for the meeting is Thursday, October 16 by 3:00 p.m. 

Juniors/Junior Parents: Here is the Slides presentation from the counseling office junior planning meeting held during Advisory on 10/1.  It contains important information regarding the junior year.  If you have not already done so, please complete the fall junior survey. Thank you.

Seniors and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a virtual financial aid presentation provided by MI Student Aid.  Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics: FAFSA application information, federal financial aid programs, state financial aid programs, scholarship search resources.  Sessions are offered on various dates throughout the school year.  More information is HERE.