Since most colleges, universities and technical colleges charge students fees known as tuition, students and families need to understand important parts of financing postsecondary education. Many students use financial aid, the funding that is offered to qualified students who attend postsecondary education institutions.

One of the first words you may hear or see when you begin exploring financial aid is FAFSA, an acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is a free form you complete to begin the financial aid process (click this FIZZ for the form). The Federal Student Aid website is a resource developed by the U.S. Department of Education and offers more in-depth information about financial aid opportunities and requirements (click this FIZZ to the website).

If the postsecondary education program is an approved federal Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), this allows qualified students with ID to receive Federal Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (for students with exceptional needs), and/or Work-Study funding (part-time work).

If the postsecondary education program is an approved Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program, (FPCTP), it may provide Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Scholarships for eligible students. Click on the FCSUA website FIZZ or check with program personnel to determine if programs you are considering are either approved federal CTPs or approved Florida FPCTPs. The following checklist will assist your student and family members make decisions about your financial plans for postsecondary education programs