Why should I go to college or receive any further education?

How Do I Pay for College? Grants and Scholarships GI Bills Financial Aid

What is FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student AidFree Application for Federal Student Aid This is an application that you fill out to see if you qualify for any grants, scholarships, loans, etc. to help pay for higher education Comes out around July for the next year

Eligibility FAFSA Eligibility Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances, provided that you: are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or an eligible non- citizen; have a valid Social Security Number; have a high school diploma or GED; are registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male aged 18-25); complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes; do not owe refunds on any federal student grants; are not in default on any student loans; and have not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period in which federal aid was being received.

Types of Aid Available Grants and ScholarshipsScholarships –Grants are Need based –Scholarships are Merit based –Both are gift aid = Free $$$$ Common Federal Grants –PELL –FSEOG –TEACH –Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants –Grants for military families

Loans –Must pay $$$ back –Subsidized and unsubsidized –Direct loan---US Dept. of Education is lender –Perkins---school is the lender –PLUS loans –Lower interest rates usually than credit cards or personal loans

Work Study –Part time employment at the university that monies can be used to off set costs

EVERYONE SHOULD APPLY Myths surrounding FAFSA Myths

Application DeadlinesDeadlines Based on state of residence Federal Deadline Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 23, State Deadline Illinois - As soon as possible after January 1, Awards made until funds are depleted. College Deadline Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about their definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date they receive your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.

GI Bills Types of GI bills –Post 9/11 GI bill –Montgomery GI bill –Others For military service, one can have post secondary schooling Click here for GI Bills comparison chartGI Bills comparison chart

Types of schooling covered by GI bills Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on- the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance. All training programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits.graduate and undergraduate degreesvocational/technical trainingon- the-job trainingflight training correspondence traininglicensing national testing programs, entrepreneurship trainingtutorial assistance