Transcript Financial Aid Programs and Benefits: Locating Public and

Financial Aid Programs
and Benefits: Locating
Public and Private
Scholarships
by Buffie Edwards
Federal Aid

The federal government offers a variety of
programs and benefits to help students
pay for college. You may be eligible for
one or more of the following federal
programs or tax benefits.
FAFSA - Free Application for
Federal Student Aid

To apply for federal financial aid and most state aid programs,
you must complete the FAFSA.

Apply as soon as possible, AFTER January 1, for the next
academic year. You can indicate several college choices on one
application so don't wait until you're admitted to apply.

Paper copies of the FAFSA are available from high school
guidance offices, college financial aid offices, and at public
libraries. You also can call 1-800-4FEDAID.

It is preferred that student complete the FAFSA online.
Federal Aid
AmeriCorps
People of all ages can earn money for college
in return for one year of service in their
communities.
U.S. Armed Forces
Students can take advantage of many
educational programs offered by the U.S.
Armed Forces. Opportunities range from free
tuition at U.S. military academies to
scholarships in exchange for service
through the Reserve Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) program.
Other Federal Programs
The Student Guide: Financial Aid - is a
comprehensive resource on student financial aid
from the U.S. Department of Education.
Funding Your Education - an introductory
publication for students below the senior year in
high school.
IRS Publication 520: Scholarships and
Fellowships
IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Higher
Education
Helpful Online Resources

Scholarships may be awarded on the
basis of academic achievement,
leadership potential, artistic talents,
athletic ability, career plans or field of
study, or special hobbies or interests.
Searching for Scholarships
Check with the College and Career
Specialist at your high school

Get information about scholarships, aptitude
testing, collegiate updates, and more.
Contact local organizations

Many community organizations, foundations,
corporations, clubs, and civic groups offer
scholarships to students. Contact local
organizations, such as the Elks or Jaycees; ethnic
and religious youth groups; college fraternities,
sororities, and alumni groups.
Tips on finding scholarships:
Ask employers and labor unions.
 Many
companies and labor unions offer
scholarships to employees, members, or
their children. Also, check with
professional organizations related to your
career interests, such as the American Bar
Association or the American Medical
Association.
Look for more scholarships offered in
your area.

Check with local department stores,
grocers, credit unions and banks - many
offer one or more scholarships annually.
Contact your local chamber of commerce
to see if they have a list of local
businesses offering scholarships.
Visit free online search services
Many search services allow you to input your
academic, ethnic, and personal interest
information and receive regular updates on
scholarships that might apply to you.
Beware of any company that wants you to pay
for a scholarship search! Instead, try the
free services.

Student Aid - US Department of Education
financial aid and scholarship wizard.

The SmartStudent Guide - Undergraduate
scholarships and graduate fellowships are
forms of aid that help students pay for their
education.

FastAid Scholarship Search - The largest
and oldest private sector college scholarship
database

FastWeb! Search - Begins with a password
protected customized profile for searches among
thousands of scholarships.

College Board Scholarship Search - Locate
scholarships and other information that matches
your educational level, talents and background.

Pacific Northwest Scholarship Guide Maintained by the College Planning Network,
serving students of the Pacific Northwest, the
site requires no personal information and
provides access to 100% of the database.

Scholarship Hunter - Free and easy
scholarship source

Scholarship Experts - Locates scholarships
by a profile of program, regional area, school
and other information.

CollegeNet - Mach 25: Breaking the
Tuition Barrier - Provides a keyword search
to narrow to particular scholarships.

SallieMae - College Answer - College
Answer features over 600,000 scholarships,
grants, tuition waivers, internships and
fellowships.

Scholarship Scams – Valuable information
from the Federal Trade Commission.
For more information from the Higher Education Coordinating
Board, contact us at:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-888-535-0747
Reference

http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/taxbene/
taxbeneindex.asp

The Higher Education Coordinating Board
is not responsible for the content of the
Web sites.
Online Services for Students
Note:
I hope this information has given you some useful tips.
If you have any suggestions for future seminar
topics, please see Mrs. Edwards or another Student
Support Services staff member.
If you are viewing this workshop online, please come
by Student Support Services, 109 Eldridge Hall, and
complete an Academic Seminar Evaluation form, so
that we may have documentation of your program
participation. You may also print this form online.
EXIT
Thank you for your
participation!