Navigating Financial Aid

On the morning of their trip to SeaWorld, Montverde Academy seniors gathered for a Senior Seminar in the auditorium. Alex Johnson and Sophia Sahr, financial aid counselors from Rollins College, presented an overview of the financial aid process.

The presentation covered the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with information pertaining to other general forms of financial aid, such as merit-based scholarships, federal/state grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, and specific aid programs like Pell Grants, Florida Bright Futures, and institutional grants.

The Rollins College counselors reviewed with students a sample financial aid offer and explained how aid is distributed across semesters and provided information about tuition expenses and out-of-pocket expenses, such as books, fees, transportation, and housing. They emphasized the importance of early FAFSA submission, financial literacy, and proactive communication with financial aid offices to avoid unexpected costs. MVA appreciates Rollins College for coming out to give seniors a better understanding of the financial aid process.

MVA’s College Counseling Department provides not only seniors but also underclassmen with a variety of tools to guide them through the college application process from start to finish. The College Counselors will be hosting a College Information Night on Monday, February 24 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. for students in grades 9 – 11 and their parents. Representatives from the University of Central Florida, Florida Southern College, the University of Alabama, High Point University, and Purdue University will be presenting on selecting the right high school courses, the college application process, college visits, and paying for college.