As the season for college applications and acceptance letters dawn upon seniors, it is easy to go into the complicated process of applying for schools, scholarships and financial aid (FAFSA), without knowing what you are applying for and what it does. Recently, I learned that when applying for FAFSA, which is the free application for federal student aid, any money you take in the form of loans that is offered to you, must be paid back. This was much to my surprise–I thought I had known most of what I needed to know about applying for student financial aid because I spoke to my guidance counselors and college advisors. Thankfully, I asked teachers and other college-graduated adults, which further educated me about the entire process before I applied, which is what I recommend for upcoming graduates as well. 

A common misconception is that FAFSA is the money received to pay for college itself. Rather, FAFSA is an application, and based on your financial need when applying, you become eligible for loans, grants, and work-study opportunities. Using the money offered is not required, especially in the form of loans. However, if you’re applying for financial aid, it is probably because you need it. So, it is very important to know that when using the eligible funds, you are not required to take out loans. Relocate focus to the grants available, because unlike loans, the money acquired from grants are not required to be paid back! 

On the FAFSA website, it lists three of the most common federal grant programs, which consist of the Federal Pell Grant for undergraduate students, Federal Supplemental Educational opportunity grant (FSEOG) for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant for all students enrolled in programs that prepare them to teach in a high-need field. However, there are numerous other grants available for application online that can aid your college experience. Collegescholarships.org displays a large list of college grants specific to those planning on going to college in Indiana. Many are also catered to specific minorities, like Black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American and female students. 

Alongside grants, it is also important to recognize the capabilities of scholarships. For Adams students, Mrs. Schierbeek sends out an updated Scholarship bulletin via Email on a near weekly basis You also have the option to speak to a counselor in the guidance office or email your counselor directly. Additionally, researching scholarships on your own time is always beneficial and can offer more specific results based on your interests and needs. Searching “scholarships for Indiana students” highlights numerous directories to available scholarships and financial aid. However, sometimes looking for scholarships can become an overwhelming influx of new information, so I’ll list a few sites to help! 

• Risefirst.org – Indiana High School Student Scholarships Directory (Includes a filter so you can make it specific to your situation).
• Scholarships360.org – Top 65 No Essay Scholarships in December 2025.
• Collegebound.org –  Consists of scholarships for high school students of all grades. 
• Purdueglobal.edu – 50+ College scholarships for minority students (Also includes helpful tips for applying). 

When you hear college graduates tell horror stories of their looming student loan debts, being unaware of what to do after filing for FAFSA is a frequent culprit. Obviously, a lot of people with student loan debt were left with their only option. However, it is important to see that there are multiple steps you can take before taking out loans to pay for school. Take advantage of the resources around you, whether it is through websites or through the people nearby. Unfortunately, the people who may receive money from you, like colleges and educational institutions, will not always thoroughly educate incoming students and applicants on the ways of federal aid, leading to confusion and an unnecessary use and waste of money. Always broaden your knowledge of resources to make your college experience and future easier–or a little less expensive.