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Entry bubble Federal Student Aid = Money For College

By: Editor | August 10, 2009 | Category: Money

bird in waterOur guest blogger today is Stephanie Kreusser, an intern in the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid.   

This fall, millions of students across the country will enroll in colleges, universities, and trade schools to pursue their educational dreams.  The benefits of postsecondary education – enhanced earnings, greater career options – are undeniable, but sometimes the path to getting there can seem daunting.  If you or someone you know is having reservations, there’s no need to feel discouraged; there are resources available to help navigate the college process. 

Developed in collaboration with students, College.gov provides an instructional breakdown of why you should go to college, what steps need to be taken to get there, and how to pay for it. In addition, it highlights real stories about students who were able to overcome barriers to go to college.  Remember, it’s never too late to think about going.  If you’re worried your financial means may be insufficient, don’t be deterred.  Federal student aid is available to make your college goals a reality.

Last year, over $100 billion in federal aid was distributed to nearly 11 million students to help them pay for college or vocational school. There are three main types of federal student aid: grants, loans, and work-study.  Anyone who qualifies can have access to this aid and achieve his/her college ambitions as a result. 

How do you go about applying for federal assistance? Believe it or not, applying for federal student aid is FREE; a prospective college student simply completes and submits what’s known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If that person is deemed eligible, the school(s) listed on his/her FAFSA will send an award letter that specifically breaks down what federal student aid he/she is eligible to receive.

For those who aren’t ready to attend college just yet but are curious if they’ll be eligible for federal student aid, FAFSA4caster is a valuable tool. It determines what type of federal aid you may be eligible to receive (grant, loan, etc.) and provides an estimated award amount for each.

Here are some additional resources to help prepare for applying for college and federal student aid:

- Student Aid on the Web provides in-depth information on how to prepare for, choose, and apply to college, as well as information on the federal financial aid programs – grant, loans, and work-study.

- Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid is an online comprehensive publication that includes an overview of federal student aid programs and the application process, as well as detailed steps for taking action during each phase.

- USA.gov provides links to help address your questions and concerns about college, including overseas study programs, educational tax benefits, and much more.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: college   fafsa   federal_student_aid   financial_aid   money  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Graduate on August 11, 2009 at 04:40 PM EDT

How about information on funding for graduate school?

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blue comment bubble Posted by Marybeth on August 12, 2009 at 08:27 AM EDT

Graduate, here's a section of the StudentAid website that's geared towards grad students: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/gradstudent.jsp

Though the Student.gov website isn't specific to grad students, you might find it helpful:
http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public?topicID=13&operation=maintopic

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blue comment bubble Posted by marlene on August 16, 2009 at 05:03 PM EDT

FAFSA has been invaluable to us. Without it and aid from the wonderful college my daughter has been attending, she would not have been able to attend. The problem we have had is with her deadbeat dad, who is court ordered but unwilling to pay 85% of the remaining balance. He has no other children, makes very good money, but has dragged us back into court 8 times in the last few years fighting the order. It is jeopardizing her ability to continue college in a few weeks. I cannot afford to pay the balance he still owes for last year, and cannot get a loan. She has come so far and worked so hard, this is breaking my heart. She is a wonderful person. I am searching for an answer.

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blue comment bubble Posted by russ from .www.classadsuk.com on August 16, 2009 at 05:27 PM EDT

as a government worker over here in the uk i am always amazed at the help and advice you folks give on your blog well done indeed

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blue comment bubble Posted by thank god for fasa! on August 24, 2009 at 01:07 PM EDT

me and my husband need extra income so i told wilbur i'll return to work so we don't have the monies for me to just go back so i apply for fasa it was easy and efficient and it is covering my cost and i am getting help for michigan rehibilitation services to go to school and no worker left behind. so it's great that in a recession we times are tough on couple with children that we get this added help.

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