Are you a student from Seattle, hoping to leave the nest and make your mark? Even if you aren't, you should at least get some money for college, just because you should.
Federal Student Aid is an office of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and it plays a central and essential role in America's postsecondary education community. Federal Student Aid's Financial Aid Wizard can plan out your entire financial package online. In seven steps the wizard will calculate everything you need for the schools you are interested in.
The federal Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid application process. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid monies to applicants.
For more information, please visit the following web sites:
- Frequently Asked Questions - this page will answer the most commonly asked questions about FAFSA.
- FAFSA4caster - where high school juniors can learn about the financial aid process. When you are ready to apply for aid, you can easily transition from FAFSA4caster to FAFSA on the web.
There are many other sources of financial aid, some of which are listed below:
- Federal Pell Grants are a form of financial aid that helps students pursue an undergraduate degree and do not have to be repaid.
- Scholarships provide free funds to individuals who, for example, demonstrate high academic achievement, outstanding athletic abilities or are musically talented and have the desire to further their education.
- A Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
- The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) is a public-private partnership created by Congress to deliver and administer guaranteed education loans for students and their parents.
- EducationUSA provides information on finding and applying to accredited colleges or universities in addition to finding financial aid.
- The Sallie Mae Corporation provides federal and private student loans, including consolidation loans, for undergraduate and graduate students and their parents.
- The American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) is a federal assistance program that seeks to strengthen innovation and education in the U.S. by improving mathematics, science and foreign language studies.
- Educational benefits for veterans includes general information about the GI bill and application procedures. It is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
To do the math for college costs, savings, and loans you can use the college financial calculators. The information you enter is secure and completely confidential.
For additional resources on general financial aid information, please visit:
Finally, remember when trying to determine what assistance may be available to pay for college, it is best to contact your school's financial aid office. The financial aid office can provide specific information on loans, grants, and scholarships, as well as application procedures.
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