Everything You Need to Know About Financial Aid - Kiplinger.com

Everything You Need to Know About Financial Aid - Kiplinger.com
Everything You Need to Know About Financial Aid
Know the sources, learn the process and apply early to get your share of the college funding pot of gold.
By Cameron Huddleston
February 6, 2007
Now that the college application forms that were due December or early January are completed, it's time to fill out the forms that really matter. You know, the ones that will determine what funding you'll get to help pay for that college education: financial aid forms.
Below you'll find links to five comprehensive stories from Kiplinger on how to make the process work best for you, plus a link to a calculator that will help you figure out how much aid you can expect.
Technically, you have until next summer to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive federal funding for the 2007-08 school year. But the federal government doesn't have an endless supply of financial aid. And many states have financial aid application deadlines as early as March.
"By completing the application early and in advance of state and school deadlines, students and families have a better chance of securing cheap or even free money for college," says Martha Holler, spokesperson for Sallie Mae, which provides education loans. "Nearly eight out of ten full-time undergraduates receive some sort of money for college, so it is important to submit a FAFSA to qualify for your portion of the pot of gold."
There's even a chance you or your child will get free money in the form of a grant or scholarship. Studies show that a third of all full-time undergraduates will receive a federal grant that does not have to be repaid. In fact, the federal government started offering two new grants last year: the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National SMART Grant. However, Holler says a recent study suggests that 1.8 million students may have missed out on free money to pay for college simply because they did not apply.
And don't think just because you are an upper-income family that you have no chance of getting financial aid. There are federal, state and institutional financial aid options that are not based on financial need. "Even Donald Trump can submit the FAFSA and receive federal student loans," Holler says.
Plus, the amount of money available to help families pay for college is increasing, Holler says. More than $152 billion in college financial aid was awarded in the 2005-06 academic year compared with $139 billion the previous year, according to the College Board. And changes to the law last year increased federal loan limits and expanded the PLUS Loans for parents program to graduate students, allowing a graduate student to borrow on his own behalf up to the cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and even travel.
We've already told you that you have to apply early if you want to increase your chances of receiving college funding. But what are the sources of funding, how does the process work and what are other ways of improving the odds of getting tuition money? The stories below will tell you everything you need to know about financial aid.
Master the Financial Aid ProcessDon't spend a dime for financial aid advice. Simply learn the system, the sources and apply early.
Early Birds Grab the Financial AidTo get any help with paying the bills, every parent needs to file this form now.
Everyone Should Apply for Financial AidYou might qualify for funding to help pay college bills -- even if you think your income is too high.
Winning the Financial Aid GameWhen you receive a financial-aid offer, don't assume that the numbers are written in stone.
Free Money for Grad SchoolHere are four things you can do to boost your chances of getting someone to pay for your master's or PhD.
Tool: How Much Aid Can You Expect?Fill out this simple worksheet to get an idea of how much colleges will expect you to contribute toward tuition."

Take a look at the financial aid and scholarship matching services. They are a great way to find the funding that you need - it's faster and easier than ever to apply and find those grants and scholarships!

Tags: financial aid and scholarship matching, money funding for school

Newswire / Press Release: E-Learning Yellow Pages Announces Self Assessment - Education/e-Learning/Training | NewswireToday

Newswire / Press Release: E-Learning Yellow Pages Announces Self Assessment - Education/e-Learning/Training NewswireToday

E-Learning Yellow Pages Announces Self Assessment

"NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Miami, FL, United States, 02/05/2007 - E-Learning Yellow Pages now offers a self-assessment for those thinking of learning on-line to find out if it is the right choice. By answering 20 simple questions E-learning Yellow Pages can tell prospective students if on-line learning is for them.

With all the conveniences of on-line learning many sometimes wonder if it is the right way to earn a degree or diploma.

eLearningYellowPages.com now offers a self-assessment for those thinking of learning on-line to find out if distance learning is the right choice. By answering 20 simple questions eLearningYellowPages.com helps prospective distance learning students if on-line learning will be the beneficial method of delivery.

The online assessment simply asks questions based on the current behaviors and interests of the prospective student. The assessment results will also offer some other tips based on the user's answers - for example if time management skills or computer skills should be improved or addressed, and it provides resources to also better those skills.Adults interested in continuing education, but who have family or career responsibilitiies often find e-learning to be most convenient and manageable.

Today, adults can earn a degree, an advanced degree, or a high school diploma online, and be on their way to higher earnings. Other coursework is also available in the form of certificate programs that can also help to advance the recipient's career, or help them to start a new career.The ability to work at their own pace, anytime and anywhere they have an Internet connection is hard to resist. But, it may not be right for everyone. That is why it is important for these prospective students to think about their learning style, computer abilities, time management skills, and outside responsibilites before jumping into a program.

Taking a self-assessment through eLearningYellowPages,com only takes a moment of time, and in the long run it will lead students in the right direction based on their preferred learning styles. "

Find out if you are suited to e-learning by taking the self-assessment at eLearningYellowPages.com. The assessment can help you to ensure your successful completion of a program by determining any deficiencies you may have; for example, perhaps your computer skills are lacking. Take a computer skills course first.

Tags: online degree program, assess skills for successful online or distance learning,online high school diploma,online career training,elearningyellowpages.com,