Free Student Aid Information & Sources

Check out these other great resources for federal or non-federal student aid:

Financial Aid Administrator

Talk to the aid administrator at each school you're interested in to find out about the school's aid programs and total cost of attendance.

State Higher Education Agency

This agency in your home state can give you information about state aid-including aid from the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program, funded jointly by states.

Public Libraries/Internet

These are excellent sources of information on state and private forms of aid. When using either source, search using keywords like "financial aid," "student aid," "scholarships," etc.

AmeriCorps

This program provide provides full-time educational awards in return for work in community service. You can work before, during, or after your postsecondary education, and you can use the funds either to pay current educational expenses or to repay federal student loans. For more information, call 1-800-942-2677. The TTY number is 1-800-833-3722. Information is also available at www.americorps.org.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program (Byrd Program)

To receive aid, you must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and show promise of continued academic excellence. For more information, call our toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Companies and Labor Unions

Check with your parents' places of work. They might have programs to help pay the cost of postsecondary education for employees and their children.

Organizations, Foundations, Etc.

Foundations, religious organizations, fraternities or sororities, and town or city clubs often offer financial assistance. Include in your search community organizations and civic groups such as the American Legion, YMCA, 4-H Club, Elks, Kiwanis, Jaycees, and the Girl or Boy Scouts. Organizations connected with your field of interest can be helpful-for example, the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association are good sources for students seeking specialization in those fields.

U.S. Armed Forces

The Armed Forces also offer financial aid opportunities. For more information on recruitment incentives, visit the U.S. Department of Defense Defenselink Web site at www.todaysmilitary.com. Click on "What You Get" at the top of the site. Then go to "College Help." You can also contact your local recruiter.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

If you (or your spouse) are a veteran or you're the dependent of a veteran, veterans' educational benefits may be available. Information is also available through the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS offers two federal income tax credits (dollar-for-dollar reductions in tax liability) for higher education expenses.

1. The Hope tax credit, worth up to $1,500 per student, is available for first- and second-year students enrolled at least half time.

2. The Lifetime Learning tax credit is a tax benefit equal to 20 percent of a family's tuition expenses, up to $10,000. The credit can be used for virtually any postsecondary education and training, including graduate and professional schools, and even for less-than-half-time study

For more information on the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, and other tax benefits for postsecondary students, go to www.irs.gov. IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education, which explains these credits and other tax benefits, is available online. Or, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. TTY callers can call 1-800-829-4059.