Aid available

For many parents college tuition is too expensive so their children need financial assistance. After doing some research on the Internet, I found a source which may solve part of the problem of tuition money. Open the Internet to www.ed.gov/offices or www.ed.gov/finaid.html. These two sites will connect you with the U.S. Department of Education where a huge amount of information is available explaining how students can receive financial assistance. It is entitled Student Financial Assistance Programs, offered by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Department of Education administers several major student aid programs, which provide over $42 billion a year to help millions of students pay for the costs of college. The report states whether you’re ready to apply for financial aid or just interested in more information about the federal student aid programs, the starting point is to explore the COOL database. Here you will find college or career training and compare programs, costs and academic requirements at more than 9,000 post secondary schools.

Link onto the Financial Aid for Students home page which is your guide to information about grants, loans, work-study, and tax credits for education and how to apply for them. Download the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) quickly and easily right on the Web. The site also suggest that if you are filing a paper application, you can use the Federal (Title IV) School Code search to look up the codes for the colleges that you are considering, so that you can list them on the FAFSA.\

If you are thinking of attending a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program, visit the Direct Loan Web Page for Students to calculate your repayment costs, get loan counseling, or look up account information. There even is a section on defaulted loans; the Guide to Defaulted Student Loans can help you get out of default.

By opening up this site you will find many other sources about financial aid such as Funding Your Education. If you have not yet enrolled in a post secondary school, you should read “Funding Your Education.” It is an introductory publication that gives an overview of the Student Financial Assistance Programs and how to apply for aid. A copy may be obtained by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 (a toll free number).

Funding Your Education 2000-2001 is for the school year from July 1, 2000-June 30,2001. Read it if you are enrolling any time after June 30, 2000.

If you’re already enrolled in a post secondary school, you may want to consult the latest version of the Student Guide. The Student Guide provides more information about the aid process while you’re in school. There is a Tax Cuts for Education publication which explains the tax breaks that can save a lot of money and that are easy to take advantage of whether you are saving for college, are in college now, or have graduated.

Under the Direct Loans web site you will learn about two innovative and simple ways to get a student loan called Stafford or PLUS loan. Use this source as an excellent starting point in your search for college funds. Money is available to go to college but you have to search for it.

If any student is really anxious to go to college, he or she can. But a sacrifice must be made on the student’s part. My parents didn’t pay my tuition as a lot of other parents do not. Begin now to find the funds for college. Don’t wait for handouts. If you really want to go to college, funds are available. Begin your search now!

Strictly a personal view. Anthony Pellegrino writes every Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Pellegrino can be reached at tonypell@saipan.com