Financial Aid

The financial aid programs provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) post-secondary educational centers make it feasible for students who would normally be deprived of a career/technical education, due to limited funds, to obtain the education they require. This is based on the principle that a postsecondary education should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it. Educational opportunities should also be made available to students of families with limited financial resources.

M-DCPS post-secondary educational centers subscribe to the following:

• The primary purpose of the financial aid program is to provide assistance to students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend school.
• Financial assistance could consist of Federal Financial Aid (Pell and FSEOG Grants), District Financial Aid Program (DFAP), Work Study Grants, Tuition Exemption, and scholarships which may be offered to students in a single form or in various combinations, called packaging.
• Financial assistance is meant to supplement the efforts of the student and/or the student’s family. Both the student’s family and the student are expected to make a maximum effort to assist with post-secondary educational expenses. This is referred to as Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• The total amount of financial assistance offered to students shall be limited to the amount of the educational costs that are greater than all other resources available.
• In determining the amount of other available resources, the financial aid program shall take into account the financial support expected from income, assets, and other resources available to students and/or parents. All factors affecting the family’s financial strength shall be considered, including other dependents, debts, and/or monetary obligations.