Paying for College: Answers to All Your Questions about Financial Aid, Scholarships, Tuition Payment Plans, and Everything Else You Need to Know
Updated to include changes in financial aid as a result of landmark new legislation passed in fall 2007, Peterson's Paying for College, provides parents and students with straight, easy-to-understand answers to the most frequently asked questions about financial aid. While most competitive books make unrealistic promises that they'll help you go to college for free, this book takes a more practical approach, recognizing that most American families will have to navigate the financial aid...
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Updated to include changes in financial aid as a result of landmark new legislation passed in fall 2007, Peterson's Paying for College, provides parents and students with straight, easy-to-understand answers to the most frequently asked questions about financial aid. While most competitive books make unrealistic promises that they'll help you go to college for free, this book takes a more practical approach, recognizing that most American families will have to navigate the financial aid process and pay for college in some way. As college costs continue to rise and borrowing becomes more difficult for many families, this book is particularly timely.
Foreword ixFinancial Aid: The Basics 1Fast Facts 1Just So I Understand, Financial Aid Is ... 2Why Your Family Should Apply for Financial Aid 4Details, Details: Forms and Paperwork 7Fast Facts 7The Need Equation 8The Free Application for Federal Student Aid 9CSS/PROFILE 16Deadlines 16How "They" Decide What You Pay 17Last but Not Least 22Getting Your Share of the Money 23Fast Facts 23U.S. Department of Education Programs 24U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Programs 45U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs Grants 48Alternative Loan Programs 48State Need-Based Aid 50Institutional and Private Sources of Need-Based Aid 51Repaying Student Loans 51More Resources 56I Earn Too Much, Now What? 59Fast Facts 59Be Aware of Potential Debt Burden 61Look for "Free Money" Deals 61"Lock In" YourTuition/Affordable Payment Plans 63Scholarships and Grants: Secrets to a Free Ride 65Fast Facts 65Scholarships 67A Scholarship Roadmap 69Scholarship Scams: What They Are and What to Watch Out For 72Institution-Based Gift Aid 78Athletic Scholarships 79State and Local Scholarships 82Private Aid 83Veterans Educational Benefits 84Vocational Rehabilitation for the Disabled 85Saving 87Fast Facts 87Coverdell ESAs: New and Improved 88529 Plans: The High-Octane, Tax-Free Choice 90Custodial Accounts 95Save with U.S. Bonds 99Take Note of Timing 99A Penny Saved Is a Penny Not Borrowed 100Trimming College Costs 101Fast Facts 101Can You Reduce Your Budget? 102Shop for the Best Deal 103Consider Community College 104Shorten the Program of Study 104College Credit by Examination 105Payment Alternatives 108Payment Plans 109Establish a Home Equity Line of Credit 109Do You Qualify for Tax Credits? 109Get a Job 111Get Involved in National Community Service 112What About Military Service? 113Crack the Code: What Deal Did You Really Get? 117Fast Facts 117Packaging 118Cost of Attendance 119Calculating Need for Need-Based Aid 122Non-Need Aid Eligibility 123What's in the Aid Package 124Seven-Step Process for Comparing Award Letters 134Evaluating Aid Packages 138Changes to the Aid Package 140Responding to the Award Letter 141Financial Aid Beyond the First Year 144How and When Financial Aid Is Paid 144What's Next? 145If I Only Knew ... 147Fast Facts 147The Criswell Family 148The Going Family 150The Wilk Family 151The Hrouda Family 152The Reynolds Family 154Financial Aid Countdown Calendar 157Top 19 Questions Parents and Students Should Ask 163Glossary 175
