Financial Aid, Scholarships & Grant Resources (Grades 9–12)
York Academy provides students and families with access to trusted tools and resources to help
make college and postsecondary pathways more affordable. Below are recommended platforms
and step-by-step resources to support financial aid completion and scholarship searches.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
-
The primary application used to determine eligibility for:
- Federal grants (such as the Pell Grant)
- Federal student loans
- Work-study programs
- Also used by many colleges and states to award additional aid
-
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Helpful FAFSA Resources:
PHEAA Grant (Pennsylvania State Grant)
- Available to Pennsylvania residents attending in-state colleges
- Provides additional state-based grant funding (does not need to be repaid)
- Must complete FAFSA first to be considered
-
https://www.pheaa.org
CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile)
- Required by many prestigious private colleges
- Used to determine eligibility for institutional aid (college-specific grants and scholarships)
-
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org
Learn How to Complete It:
Trusted Scholarship Search Websites
These platforms are widely used, free, and reliable tools to help students find external scholarships and grants:
Tips for Finding & Winning Scholarships
Applying for scholarships is a process that requires consistency, organization, and strategy.
The following best practices can increase a student’s chances of earning scholarship funding:
Start Early and Stay Consistent
Begin searching for scholarships as early as sophomore or junior year. Many scholarships are available
to underclassmen. Seniors should aim to apply weekly and continue applying through the spring of senior year.
Apply to a High Volume of Scholarships
Scholarship success is often a numbers game. Students should aim to submit multiple applications each week.
Even smaller awards ($250–$1,000) add up and can significantly reduce overall college costs.
Prioritize “Best Fit” Scholarships
Focus on scholarships that closely match your background, interests, intended major, extracurricular involvement,
or personal experiences. These often have smaller applicant pools and higher chances of selection.
Write Strong, Authentic Essays
- Answer the prompt directly and clearly
- Share personal stories, challenges, and growth experiences
- Demonstrate leadership, initiative, and impact
- Revise and edit carefully before submitting
Reusing and adapting strong essays for multiple applications can save time.
Create a Scholarship Resume
Keep a running document that includes:
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work and community service
- Leadership roles
- Awards and honors
- Work experience
Request Letters of Recommendation Early
Identify teachers, counselors, or mentors who can write strong letters. Give them at least 4 weeks’ notice
and provide a resume or “brag sheet” to help them write detailed recommendations.
Stay Organized
Track deadlines, requirements, and submission materials using a spreadsheet or planner. Missing a deadline
automatically disqualifies an application.
Apply to Local Scholarships First
Local scholarships (through schools, community organizations, and local businesses) typically have fewer applicants,
increasing the likelihood of receiving an award.
Be Aware of Scholarship Scams
- Requires a payment to apply
- Guarantees a win
- Requests sensitive personal information without verification
All legitimate scholarships are free to apply.
Follow Instructions Carefully
Many applications are disqualified for simple mistakes such as missing documents, exceeding word limits,
or not answering the prompt fully. Attention to detail matters.
Continue Applying After Graduation
Scholarships are not limited to high school seniors. Many opportunities are available during college,
so students should continue searching and applying each year.
York Academy Support for Students & Families
- One-on-one support completing FAFSA, PHEAA, and CSS Profile
- Guidance on identifying and applying for scholarships, grants, and financial aid
- Help with brainstorming, drafting, and editing scholarship and grant essays
- Financial aid appeal support for families
- Ongoing support provided during junior and senior year