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Good Reading Material On Paying For College and Financial Aid
Without question, a college education can be very expensive. Also without question, a college education is an incredible value in terms of financial returns as well as quality of life and contributions to society. Paying for college can be complicated and frustrating if the student and family is not prepared to understand and negotiate the “paying for college” process. The EAS -- Education Resource Center has prepared the following list of “good reading material” to prepare student and families to gain working understanding of the process. In turn, we hope that this reading material along with our site content and our
Seven Step Approach to Paying for College will expose, inform, educate and inspire students and families to choose informed decisions about paying for college and beyond.
Good reading material on paying for college and financial aid are described below.
Sources in Print
The Student Guide (Free)
Federal Student Aid Information Center
PO Box 84
Washington, DC 20044-0084
The Student Guide tells you about federal student financial assistance programs and how to apply for them. Approximately two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from federal programs administered by the U. S. Department of Education. If you have questions about the programs describe in the guide, call
1-800-4@FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
A’s and B's of Academic Scholarships. Alexandria, VA: Octameron. Annual. Good general information on financial assistance prefaces the main body of tabular data on major awards available at colleges throughout the country.
Cash for College: The Ultimate Guide to College Scholarships. NY.- William Morrow. 1999. Information on 6,000 scholarships alphabetically arranged with indexes by category. Several chapters of useful advice on the application process, query letters, cover letters, with examples.
The College Costs and Financial Aid Handbook 2000. New York: The College Entrance Examination Board. 1999. A guide for prospective college students and their parents who are assessing the true costs of college and planning to meet these costs. Topics include preparing a budget, evaluating family financial resources, and applying for financial aid.
Don't Miss Out: The Ambitious Student's Guide to Financial Aid. Alexandria: Octarneron Press. Annual. Traditional funding sources, as well as more creative financing possibilities. Comprehensive but concise, it dispels a few myths in the process.
Financial Aid Book. Michigan: Perpetual Press. 1999. Presents 3,000 listings of scholarships, grants, loans, fellowships, internships, and student competitions. The first section explains the application process, with examples of letters and essays. Easy to use with various indexes: field of study, state of residence, personal characteristics.
Financial Aid for the Disabled and their Families. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press. Biennial. Describes over 400 financial aid programs open only to the disabled and their dependents
How to Win A Sports Scholarship. Los Angeles: First Base Sports, Inc. 1999. Encourages student athletes, including those who are not stars, to take the initiative in the recruiting process. Includes chapters on how to assess athletic and academic skills, how to build a Sports Resume Kit, and how to negotiate scholarship offers successfully. Provides examples of sports resumes, cover letters, and contact letters.
Scholarship Advisor. NY. Random House. 2000. Lists thousands of scholarships alphabetically with indexes by category; for example, field of study. Contains chapters on how to compile an application, write the essay, and prepare for an interview.
Scholarship Almanac. Princeton: Peterson's Guides. Annual. After a brief discussion of general strategies for covering college costs, presents information about funding sources outside the colleges and college-channeled federal aid, organized by academic major and by state.
Scholarships 2000. NJ: Kaplan/Simon a@ Schuster. 2000. Identifies only funding opportunities of at least $1,000 that don't have to be repaid. The sources listed are for undergraduate study beyond high school at any number of schools, including community colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools. Organized by discipline, with helpful indexes. Also offers application advice and sample letters.
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Loans: A Guide to Education-Related Financial Aid Programs for Students and Professionals. Detroit: Gate. Annual. This title matches vocational goals with available and appropriate career or discipline specific funding sources. Descriptive listings are provided for nearly 4,000 scholarships or fellowships. Comprehensive indexes include categories such as “'Special Recipient” and “Place of Study.” Preface on “Practical Tips on How to Find Financial Aid” provides a good introduction to effective strategies.
Sources on the Web
Students.gov
The federal government's students.gov Web site provides access to a multitude of government resources to assist students in planning and paying for their education. Students.gov is a federal initiative designed to make interacting with the government easier for students. In addition to providing financial aid information, students can use the Web site to file their taxes, search for a job, and take advantage of a host of other government services.
Federal Student Aid Guide
www.ed.gov/prog-info/SFA/StudentGuide
Here you'll find the U.S. Department Of Education's Student Guide, with information on all the federal student aid programs.
FinAid-The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
www.flnaid.org
This site brings together a good deal of information on financial aid and how to apply for it. The site includes calculators to estimate your EFC, tips for successfully completing the FAFSA, and advice about college life and after. While there, you can subscribe to the free FinAid Newsletter.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
Look up your job prospects and how much you can expect to earn in your future career.
State and other loan repayment/forgiveness and scholarship programs.
Washington, DC: Division of Student Affairs and Education Services, Association of American Medical Colleges, 1995. Yudkin, Donna Quinn.
Personal Finance Resource Books
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanely
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Making the Most of Your Money by Jane Bryant Quinn
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