Financing College

Getting Started with Financial Aid

Financial Aid Overview:

Federal Student Aid:

Beware of scholarship scams -- don't pay for free information!

Parents:

College Savings Plan Network (state "Section 529" plans)
FinAid: for Parents
Tax incentives for higher education expenses
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts for elementary and secondary school expenses as well as higher education.

Colleges and universities provide some 20% of aid, most need-based. Check a university’s website or call their financial aid office when you apply for admission.
For questions not covered by the U.S. Department of Education Web site, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Student Loans

Getting Loans

Loans are the most common federal aid and must be repaid when you graduate or leave college.
- Stafford Loans include:
  - Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)
  - William D. Ford Direct Loans (DL)
  - Federal PLUS Loans
  - Perkins Loans

Repaying Loans

Ways to help you Repay Your Loans.
Loan Consolidation: combine your federal loans into a single loan with one monthly payment.
Loan Forgiveness: Sometimes loans may be canceled in exchange for public service.
Teachers: Cancellation/Deferment Options
Health professions: National Health Service Corps
Federal employees: Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
Law school graduates: State Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs
Medical school graduates: State Loan Repayment Program

If you are having problems with your loan and all other approaches fail, contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Ombudsman.

Scholarships, Grants and Work Study

Scholarships:

College Board Scholarship Search
Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
College In Colorado: Regional Scholarship Listings
African Americans: Scholarships (UNCF)
Hispanic Americans: Scholarships (HSF)
Native Americans: American Indian College Fund
Disabled students: Scholarships Opportunities for Disabled Students
Latin American Education Foundation
Daniels Fund Scholarships
Junior Achievement Scholarships

Grants:

Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Grants for Minorities: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Americans, and Other Ethnic Groups

Work Study:

Medical Field Financial Aid:

Bureau of Health Professions: Scholarships and loans to needy health profession students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Medical students: Association of American Medical Colleges
National Health Services: Scholarships and loan repayment for health profession students who agree to work in underserved areas.
Nursing Scholarships: Offered in exchange for two years of service in areas with critical nursing shortages.
Indian Health Service: Scholarships for American Indian/Alaskan Native health profession students and loan repayment for persons working in IHS facilities

Twitter Updates

Rep Ed Perlmutter @RepPerlmutter a minute ago

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