By John C. Read, special to Charleston Currents  |  We, as a culture, don’t expect high school seniors to write a check or hand over a wad of cash to cover their college tuition.

The lucky ones have parents who do so, but most everyone else can only afford to continue their education with the help of federal grants, student loans and work-study funds. For juniors and seniors considering their future, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the first steps they should take, even if they believe college is out of reach. It’s how the government allocates financial aid, and there is far more of it available through grants and scholarships than most families realize.