cte project-based lesson plan writing
DESCRIPTION
CTE Project-Based Lesson Plan Writing. Lisa Stephens USA Funds Services March 10, 2010. Contact Information. Lisa Stephens USA Funds Services 129 Lockerbie Lane Dora, Alabama 35062 [email protected] Office: 205-648-8778 Mobile: 317-459-5555 www.usafunds.org. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CTE Project-Based Lesson Plan Writing
Lisa StephensUSA Funds Services
March 10, 2010
Contact Information
Lisa StephensUSA Funds Services129 Lockerbie LaneDora, Alabama 35062
[email protected]: 205-648-8778Mobile: 317-459-5555www.usafunds.org
More money
Lower unemployment
More job selection
Increased job satisfaction
More opportunities for advancement
Funding Your College EducationWhy go to college?
Funding Your College Education
More money– Earn 77% more every year with a Bachelor’s degree than with a
high school diploma– Earn 74% more over your lifetime with a Bachelor’s degree than
with a high school diploma
Why go to college?
Funding Your College Education
College costs vary by the type of school you attend– Public four-year colleges and universities– Private four-year colleges and universities– State community and technical colleges– Private career, technical, and vocational schools– On-line learning schools
The cost of college
– Some of Alabama’s four-year public colleges and
universities Alabama, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Auburn, AUM , Jacksonville
State, Miles, Montevallo, South Alabama, Troy, UAH, UAB, UNA,
West Alabama
– Some of Alabama’s four-year private colleges and
universities Birmingham Southern, Samford, Huntingdon, Faulkner, Oakwood,
Stillman, Tuskegee, University of Mobile,
Funding Your College EducationTypes of colleges
Funding Your College EducationTypes of colleges
Map courtesy of The Alabama College System: http://www.acs.cc.al.us/colleges/collegemap.aspx
Funding Your College Education
– Community colleges
Alabama Southern Community College
Bevill State Community College
Bishop State Community College
Calhoun Community College
Central Alabama Community College
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Enterprise-Ozark Community College
Jefferson Davis Community College
Faulkner State Community College
Gadsden State Community College
Jefferson State Community College
Lawson State Community College
Lurleen Wallace Community College
Marion Military Institute
Northeast Alabama Community College
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Shelton State Community College
Snead State Community College
Southern Union Community College
George C Wallace Community College
Wallace State Community College
George C Wallace State Community College
– Technical Colleges
Drake State Technical College
Ingram State Technical College
Reid State Technical College
Trenholm State Technical College
– Upper Division College
Athens State University
Types of colleges
Funding Your College Education
– Some career, vocational, and technical schools with
campuses in Alabama
ITT Technical Institute
Remington College
South University
Strayer
Tri-State Institute
Virginia College
Types of colleges
Funding Your College Education
–Some Alabama-based online learning schools
Amridge University
Columbia Southern University
Types of colleges
Funding Your College Education
Tuition and fees Housing Meals Books and supplies Transportation costs Personal expenses Miscellaneous expenses
Cost of attendance
Costs vary by school type Consider:
– WHERE you go to school In-state tuition vs. Out-of-state tuition Public school tuition vs. private school tuition
– WHERE you live On-campus vs. Off-campus vs. At home
– Books New vs. used
Funding Your College EducationCost of attendance
Factors impacting costs:– Housing– Food– Personal living expenses– Transportation– Entertainment– Child & pet care– Unexpected expenses
Construct a budget and stick to it!
Funding Your College EducationCost of attendance
Funding Your College Education
What is financial aid?– Money you may qualify for to help you pay for school and school-
related expenses Free Money
– Scholarships– Grants
Work-study– Need based on- or off-campus employment
Student loans– Must be repaid with interest.
Other types of aid– Veteran’s benefits– Tuition assistance– Vocational rehabilitation– Other state and federal programs
Paying for college
Funding Your College Education
Institutional scholarships– Awarded by a school, alumni organization, etc. to you if
you decide to attend that school
Outside scholarships– Awarded by an agency, club, foundation, group,
company, church, etc. for you to attend any school
Paying for college - Scholarships
Funding Your College Education
Institutional Scholarships– Apply for these scholarships directly through the
school(s) you plan to attend.– Many scholarship deadlines for large schools are in
December of the year before you plan to go to school.– Check with the school(s) you plan to attend for
scholarship deadlines. This information will be on either the ADMISSIONS website or
the FINANCIAL AID website.
How do I find scholarships?
Funding Your College Education
Clubs Fraternities Sororities Companies Civic organizations Churches
Who awards outside scholarships?
Funding Your College Education
One example of a scholarship web engine– www.fastweb.com
FREE, excellent, customized, comprehensive source of outside scholarships
Don’t limit your options by being too specific. Your high school counselor Newspaper Word of mouth
How do I find outside scholarships?
Funding Your College Education
Write an essay Video essay Science or technology project
– Big $$$$ Enter a contest/sweepstakes
– Really? Register at a website
– Read carefully before you register.– Don’t pay for scholarship searches.
What do I have to do to get outside scholarships?
Funding Your College Education
2009-2010BUBBLE WRAP® COMPETITION FOR YOUNG INVENTORS
Are you America’s next great inventor? Sealed Air Corporation, the creator of Bubble Wrap® cushioning, is sponsoring the Bubble Wrap® Competition for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades 5–8 to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of Bubble Wrap® cushioning. ENTRY DEADLINE IS MARCH 3. Three finalists will win a three-day trip to New York City, where the Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the Bubble Wrap™ Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 22, 2010. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $10,000 savings bond, while the 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $5,000 and $3,000 respectively in savings bonds.* The teacher/mentor of each finalist will receive a $500 gift card. In addition, the school of the Grand Prize Winner will receive a $5,000 donation.
Bubble Wrap?
Executive Women International Scholarship Provided By: Executive Women International Deadline: Varies Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: Unspecified Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.executivewomen.org/ Description: The Executive Women International (EWI) Scholarship is
available to full-time junior high school students who anticipate graduating from high school in the spring of the following year. Your high school must be within the boundaries of a participating EWI chapter (visit the EWI for a complete list) to be considered. Selection will be based on character, personal merit and background. An essay and two letters of recommendation are also required.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Siemens Competition Provided By: Siemens Competition Deadline: October 1, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $100,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.collegeboard.com/siemens Description: The Siemens Competition encourages students to do research in
math, science, or technology, giving young scientists the opportunity to present their research to leading scientists in their field. 300 projects are recognized as Semifinalists. Regional Finalists are awarded a trip to compete at one of six regional competitions. At the regional event, after presenting a poster, giving an oral presentation, and participating in a question and answer session, the student or team of students will qualify for $1,000 to $3,000 scholarship. National Finalists qualify for $10,000 to $100,000 scholarship. Individuals submitting projects must be seniors at the time of the deadline; team applicants made up of two or three students may be freshman, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Registration begins early May.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Davidson Fellows Scholarship Provided By: Davidson Institute for Talent Development Deadline: March 3, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $50,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.davidsongifted.org/Fellows/ Description: The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is open to students who can
demonstrate noteworthy achievements through the creation of a "significant piece of work" aimed at improving the lives of others in the areas of science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy and outside the box. A "significant piece of work" is defined as an exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge; a new idea with high impact; an innovative solution with broad-range implications; an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon; an interdisciplinary discovery; an exemplary performance; and/or another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment. You must also be under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2010 and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Annual Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest Provided By: Penguin Putnam Incorporated Deadline: April 15, 2010 Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $1,000 Awards Available: 5 Website:
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/services-academic/essayhome.html
Description: The Annual Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. This year's essay competition is based on the book, "The War of the Worlds" by H. G. Wells. You must write an essay on one of five selected topics listed on the Web site to be considered for this award.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Fountainhead Essay Contest Provided By: Ayn Rand Institute Deadline: April 25, 2010 Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $10,000 Awards Available: 236 Website: http://www.aynrand.org/contests Description: The Fountainhead Essay Contest is open worldwide to 11th
and 12th graders. You must write an essay of no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words on a topic relating to Ayn Rand's novel, "The Fountainhead." Topics can be found on the sponsor's Web site. Essays are judged on both style and content. The winning essay must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of "The Fountainhead." All information necessary to enter the contest is contained on the sponsor's site.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Allstate Foundation s Second Annual Keep the Drive High School Journalism Award
Provided By: Allstate Foundation Deadline: March 20, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $3,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.keepthedrive.com/journalist Description: The Allstate Foundation (TAF) is calling for high school
students to either write an article and have it published in their school newspaper or write and produce a broadcast news segment for their high school news station to help raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. Please visit www.KeeptheDrive.com/journalist for the official rules and entry form. Entries will be accepted now through March 20, 2010.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
MonsterCollege $5,000 Giveaway Provided By: MonsterCollege Deadline: February 28, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website:
http://college.monster.com/content/5000_spring_promotion_2010?g=1 Description: The MonsterCollege $5,000 Giveaway is open to
registered MonsterCollege members who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and who are at least thirteen (13) years of age. You may enter the contest once per day during the Promotion Period.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Optimist International Essay Contest Provided By: Optimist International Deadline: Varies Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $6,000 Awards Available: 3 Website: http://www.optimist.org/e/visitor/scholarships.cfm Description: The Optimist International Essay Contest is open to students who
are under the age of 19 as of December 31st of the 2008-2009 school year (December 31st, 2008). To be considered for this award, you must write a 400-500 word essay on the topic, "The Power of Youth" and submit it to your local Optimist Club. Students do not have to be Optimist members to compete. There are 53 District scholarships of $650 awarded each year. Then 3 International winners chosen from the District winners - first place will receive $6,000, second place $3,750 and third place $2,250.
Additional Information: For more information on how to apply, please visit the Optimist website.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Do Something Awards Provided By: Do Something Deadline: March 01, 2010 Type of Award: Grant Amount: $100,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.dosomething.org/programs/awards Description: Could you use $100,000 to change the world? The Do
Something Awards celebrate young people 25 and under who are tackling a problem and changing the world. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada. Apply online at www.dosomething.org/awards. Application closes March 1st, 2010. There will be one $100,000 Grant Winner and four $10,000 Grant Winners.
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
FastWeb Financial Aid Awareness Month Sweepstakes Provided By: FastWeb Deadline: February 22, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.fastweb.com/content/fin_aid_promo Description: Sweepstakes…
Funding Your College EducationREAL Scholarships
Funding Your College Education
Some scholarships are one-time awards– Most of these awards are to entering freshmen and some transfer
students Some scholarships are renewable if you meet certain
criteria – Most criteria are tied to maintaining a certain great point average– Some may require that you complete a certain number of credit
hours Some scholarships are to be used for specific costs such
as tuition, books, or housing
How do scholarships work?
Funding Your College Education
How do I get the money?– Institutional scholarships are awarded by the school and money is
applied directly to your institutional charges (tuition and other charges on your student account).
– Outside scholarships may come directly to you or your school in the form of a check. These checks are usually co-payable to you and the school you are attending. Money is applied to your student account to cover your institutional charges.
What if money is left over after all of my institutional charges have been paid?– Most schools will refund money to you for other school-related
expenses (living expenses, books, etc.)
How do scholarships work?
To be eligible for Federal Student Aid, you must:– demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans). – have a high school diploma or a (GED) certificate.– be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. – be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.– have a valid Social Security Number.– register with the Selective Service if required.– maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school. – certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do
not owe money on a federal student grant. – certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational
purposes.
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
Funding Your College Education
To be considered for federal and state aid (grants, work-study, student loans, need-based scholarships, etc.), you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov
It is a FREE application. It doesn’t cost anything to fill it out.
Your high school guidance counselor or college’s financial aid office can help you complete it.
Applying for financial aid
Funding Your College Education
Apply as soon as possible after January 1 (typically, after you and your parents have completed your tax returns) for the year you are applying for financial aid.
Most schools have priority dates for completing your FAFSA and additional required paperwork.
Schools run out of certain types of grants and work-study. This aid is typically awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Completing your FAFSA and additional required paperwork by your school’s priority date could mean more money for you.
You MUST re-apply EVERY year.
The FAFSA
You need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the Department of Education.
One of your parents will also need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the Department of Education.
Apply at www.pin.ed.gov You and your parent should keep your PINs and
write them down in a safe, secure place. You will use them each year to electronically sign your FAFSA.
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
If you are entering school in the Fall of 2010, try to complete your FAFSA as soon as you can after January 1, 2010.
What you’ll need in order to complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA– A copy of your W-2(s) and federal tax return from 2009– A copy of your parents’ W-2(s) and federal tax return from 2009
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
Funding Your College Education
Why do I need parental information? Do I need my parental information? Am I “dependent” or “independent”
Families are expected to contribute a share of their financial resources to pay for their children’s higher education.
Questions you answer on the FAFSA will determine whether or not you will need to obtain parental information.
Your responses to these questions will determine if you are:– “dependent” and parental information is required – “independent” and no parental information is required
The FAFSA
ore
These questions determine whether you are dependent or independent for 2010-2011:– Were you born before January 1, 1987?– As of today, are you married?– At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, will you be working
on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
– Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
– Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?– Do you have children who will receive more than half of their
support from you between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011?
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
– Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2011?
– At anytime since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court ?
– Are you, or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination?
– Are you, or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination?
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
– At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
– At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
– At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
How it works: You complete the FAFSA and indicate which schools
should receive your information.– The information you provide on the FAFSA is sent to those
schools. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated
based on the financial information you supply on the FAFSA.– Your EFC determines your eligibility for a Pell grant.– Your EFC is also used by your school to determine what other
types of aid for which you may qualify.
Funding Your College EducationThe FAFSA
Funding Your College Education
Know the formula Cost of attendance - expected family contribution
= financial need
Determining financial need
School #1Cost of Attendance $15,000-Expected Family Contribution $2,500=Financial Need $12,500
School #2Cost of Attendance $35,000-Expected Family Contribution $2,500=Financial Need $32,500
School #1Cost of Attendance $15,000-Expected Family Contribution $30,000=Financial Need $0
School #2Cost of Attendance $35,000-Expected Family Contribution $30,000=Financial Need $5,000
Schools will notify you of your financial aid award. You may receive a paper award letter or you may receive
an electronic award notification. Total award amounts are broken down into fall and spring
amounts. Consider your final cost when comparing award letters.
Funding Your College EducationAward letter
Funding Your College EducationAward letter
Grants– Free money– Doesn’t have to be re-paid– Need-based
Work-Study– Work on or off campus and receive a paycheck– Need-based
Loans– Federal Perkins – Federal Stafford
Subsidized Unsubsidized
– Federal Parent PLUS– Federal Grad PLUS
Funding Your College EducationTypes of aid
Pell Grants– Federal grant.– School funding is not limited. (Eligible students are awarded even
if they apply late.)– Eligibility determined by financial information provided on FAFSA– Expected Family Contribution will determine amount.– 2010-2011 annual award amounts range from $1,176 to $5,500.
Award amounts are prorated for ¾ time, ½ time, and less than ½ time enrollment.
– NEW this year! Pell eligible students can now receive Pell grants year-round. Students are limited to 18 semesters of Pell grant.
Funding Your College EducationGrants
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)– Federal grant.– School funding IS limited. (Schools run out of money!)– Awarded to Pell-eligible students.– Funds are meant to go to neediest students.– Schools determine their award policies (recipients and
award amounts). Many schools award SEOG to the neediest Pell-eligible students who
apply for aid the earliest.
– SEOG annual awards $100 – $4,000
Funding Your College EducationGrants
Academic Competitiveness Grant– Federal grant.– School funding has not been limited.– Awarded to Pell-eligible students who completed a “rigorous
secondary school program of study” (e.g., an advanced diploma), entering school the fall after spring high-school graduation.
– Second year recipients must have a 3.0/4.0 at the end of their first year in college.
– Award amounts: ACG first-year awards $750 ACG second-year awards $1,300
Funding Your College EducationGrants
The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)– Federal grant.– School funding has not been limited.– Awarded to Pell-eligible students with a 3.0 in their 3rd
of 4th year of undergraduate study majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language.
– Award amounts: SMART 3rd year awards up to $4,000 SMART 4th year awards up to $4,000
Funding Your College EducationGrants
ASAP - Alabama Student Assistance Program (Alabama State Grant)
Must complete the FAFSA Awarded to Pell eligible Alabama students
attending eligible Alabama schools
Funding Your College EducationGrants
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program– Federal award.– School funding is not limited, but not all schools are participating.
Check with your school.– Not based on financial need, but students must complete the
FAFSA.– Provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students agree to
serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students.
– Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.
Funding Your College EducationGrants
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program– TEACH Grant recipients must teach for at least four academic
years within eight calendar years of completing their program of study for which they received a TEACH Grant.
– Failure to complete this service obligation results in all amounts of TEACH Grant(s) will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. This loan must then be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Interest will be charged from the date the grant(s) was disbursed.
Funding Your College EducationGrants
Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
Work on- or off-campus. Receive a regular paycheck. Earn at least minimum wage.
Funding Your College EducationWork-Study
School participation is limited. Check with your school. Funding varies by school and is limited. (Schools run out of
money.) Fixed 5% interest rate loan. Does not accrue interest while you are in school. Funds intended for the neediest students. Repay funds to your school. Award amounts determined by your school.
– Maximum annual undergraduate award amount is $5,500.– Maximum annual graduate award amount is $8,000.
Enter repayment 9 months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. This 9 month period of time is called your grace period.
Funding Your College EducationPerkins Loans
d
Must complete the FAFSA Subsidized Stafford Loans
– Need-based.– The government pays the interest on this loan while you are in-
school and deferment. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
– Non-need based.– Student is responsible for the interest that accrues from the time
the loan is disbursed.
Funding Your College EducationStafford Loans
Schools participate in either the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
– Borrow from participating banks and lenders OR Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP)
– Borrow directly from the US government
Funding Your College EducationStafford Loans
All Stafford Loans currently have fixed interest rates. Interest rates are set by congress when they make
federal student aid rules. They may change the rules, BUT, the loans issued this
year will always have this fixed interest rate. They cannot go back and change that.
Interest rates for Stafford loans issued 2010-2011– 4.5% for subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students– 6.8% for unsubsidized Stafford loans for undergraduates– 6.8% for subsidized Stafford loans for graduates– 6.8% for unsubsidized Stafford loans for graduates
Funding Your College EducationStafford Loans
Fees for Stafford loans made in the Federal Family Education Loan Program include:– Origination fees have been phased out.– Federal default fee is 1%.
Fees for Stafford loans made in the Federal Family Education Loan Program include:– Fee is 1.0%. 0.5% is offered as an up-front rebate to the student .
Failure to make your first 12 payments on time will result in this .5% being added back to your loan balance.
Funding Your College EducationStafford Loans
Dependent Students– Freshman - $5,500
No more than $3,500 can be subsidized.– Sophomore - $6,500
No more than $4,500 can be subsidized.– Junior/Senior - $7,500
No more than $5,500 can be subsidized. Independent Students AND Dependent Students whose
Parents applied for a Parent PLUS loan, but were denied.– Freshman - $9,500
No more than $3,500 can be subsidized– Sophomore - $10,500
No more than $4,500 can be subsidized.– Junior/Senior - $12,500
No more than $5,500 can be subsidized.
Funding Your College EducationAnnual Maximum Loan Limits
Funding Your College Education
Stafford loans enter repayment six months after you drop below half-time enrollment. For many borrowers, this is at graduation. For others, it is when they drop out of school.– This period of time is called a grace period.
You must repay your loan even if you don’t complete your program of study.
You must repay your loan even if you can’t find a job in your field of study.
You must repay your loan even if you decide you just don’t want to school anymore.
When do I repay my Stafford loan?
Student loans are a huge responsibility. Your ability to repay depends on your future earning
potential. If you MUST borrow, borrow conservatively! Graduate on-time.
Funding Your College EducationHow much can I afford to borrow?
Funding Your College EducationHow much can I afford to borrow?
Parent PLUS loans– Available to parents of dependent undergraduate students.– Credit based.
Graduate PLUS loans– Available to graduate and professional students.– Credit based.
Annual award amounts are limited to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid.
PLUS loans enter repayment as soon as they are disbursed.
Funding Your College EducationPLUS Loans
You may qualify for federal income tax credits or deductions based on your higher education expenses.– Tuition and fees paid.– Student loan interest paid while in repayment.
Funding Your College EducationLoans
Funding Your College Education
Private education loans are not sponsored or guaranteed by the government.
As the risk to lenders is much higher, so are the costs to consumers.
These are credit-based and typically require a co-signer. Many require at least interest only payments while you are in-
school. Interest rates are variable and change on a monthly or
quarterly basis. Consider private education loans as a LAST RESORT. Consider these only after having first exhausted all federal
financial aid possibilities.
Private education loans
Funding Your College Education
Veterans and their families may qualify for education related expenses.
Check with your local VA office.
Veteran’s Benefits
Funding Your College Education
Many employers provide tuition assistance (a grant or scholarship) for their employees and the dependents of their employees.
Ask your parent to check with their employer about this benefit.
Many of these programs may require that you maintain a certain GPA or complete a certain number of hours.
These programs typically end at a certain age or after a certain number of semesters.
Some will require proof of completion. Bring in your grades and they will reimburse you a certain amount for tuition.
Tuition Assistance
Funding Your College Education
Contact your local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to see if you may qualify.
Students with disabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Funding Your College Education
Displaced workers. Families of displaced or under-employed workers. Check with your local Unemployment Office and/or
Career Center.
Other state and federal programs
Funding Your College Education
Typically offered by your school. Require monthly payment for charges on your student
account. May require enrollment fee. Excellent alternative to writing one lump sum tuition check
to the school.
Tuition payment plans
Prepaid Tuition Plans– Typically offered by your state.
Alabama’s Pre-paid Affordable College Tuition Program (PACT)– Good this year.– Wait and see….
Funding Your College EducationTuition payment plans
Funding Your College Education
The military offers educational opportunities to pay for school and reduce your costs:
Service Academies ROTC GI Bill US Army’s College Loan Repayment Program Earn college credit for military training
US Armed Forces
Funding Your College Education
Start a savings plan. Invest in a tax-advantaged college savings program
(529). Get a part-time job. Reduce or eliminate your expenses.
Save now!
USA Funds® is the nation’s leading education loan guarantor. A nonprofit corporation, USA Funds works to enhance postsecondary education preparedness, access and success by providing and supporting financial and other valued services.