College Preparation

In order to reach his goal that America will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, President Obama encourages every American to complete at least one year of education beyond high school.  This checklist will tell you how to get ready for college---and how the government will help you pay for it. The checklist can be downloaded and it includes your "To Do" list for students and parents for Elementary School,  Junior High or Middle School and each year of High School.  We must prepare our children to be both college and career ready!

The U.S. Department of Education is the main source of financial aid for college, but it isn't the only source.

• Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/othersources to find out about education funding available from other federal agencies.

• Visit www.ed.gov/sgt to find out about money available from state governments.

• Visit a college's website or ask its financial aid office about money the school offers its students.

• Read the rest of this page to learn where to look for scholarships from sources other than those listed above.

The three main categories of federal student aid are:

• Grant---Grant money usually doesn't have to be repaid. Most U.S. Department of Education grants are based on the student's financial need.

• Work-study---Work-study money is earned by a student through a job on or near campus while attending school and does not have  to be repaid.

• Loan---Loan money must be repaid with interest.

For details about the federal student aid programs, including maximum annual amounts and loan interest rates, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/funding .

For an early estimate of how much federal student aid you might be able to get, use FAFSA4caster™ at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov .  Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/early to find out why you should consider college now and how to pay for it. The website also is available in the form or a workbook called My Future, My Way:First Steps Toward College. A PDF version is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs .

Everyone want free money to help them attend college. There are many types of scholarships (they don't all require that you have outstanding grades), and they are provided by many different organizations. Each scholarship provider has its own application and its own rules to decide who can get its scholarship.  Your job is to find scholarships for which you think you might qualify, and apply by the deadlines.

And remember: There is not "secret" scholarship money out there. You don't need to pay a consultant or join a society just because they say they can help you find scholarships. You can find them yourself and save some money.  Free sources of information include:

• the U.S. Department of Education's FREE  online scholarship search at www.studentaid.ed.gov/scholarship

• a high school, Upward Bound, or Talent Search counselor

• your library's reference section

• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups

• organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest

• ethnicity-based organizations

• your employer or your parents' (parent's) employers (employer)

• Look to the stars and Celebrity Power

• Forbes Magazine "Titans of Philanthropy"