Students and parents need ample time and accurate information to prepare for the financial burden of a college education--those who lack this knowledge base face a significant access barrier to higher education. This problem can be countered by the delivery of comprehensive, integrated financial aid information, an approach identified by the…

This directory lists over 1,200 merit and other no-need funding and scholarship programs open to students in college and students returning to college for their higher education in the United States. The programs are classified according to course of study in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, or any subject area. Programs reward…

The primary purpose of this handbook is to help high school guidance counselors advise students seeking financial aid for postsecondary education. It provides information on sources of aid and how to apply for aid from the programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Also included are supplementary materials that suggest different…

Selecting the right college can be frightening, confusing, and overwhelming, sometimes all at the same time. This pamphlet's 21 articles touch upon the choices and options available to college bound students, such as: (1) the different advantages of two-year, public, private, women's, or church-related schools; (2) SAT preparation, testing, and…

This volume describes the Federal Perkins Loan Program, which comprises Federal Perkins Loans, National Direct Student Loans (NDSLs), and National Defense Student Loans (Defense Loans). Perkins Loans and NDSLs are low-interest long-term loans made through school financial aid offices to help needy undergraduate and graduate students pay for…

The Federal Perkins Loan Program comprises Perkins Loans, National Direct Student Loans (NDSLs), and National Defense Student Loans (Defense Loans). Perkins Loans and NDSLs are low-interest (currently 5%), long-term loans made through school financial aid offices to help needy undergraduate and graduate students pay for postsecondary education. No…

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program encourages the part-time employment of undergraduate and graduate students who need the income to help pay the cost of their education and encourages FWS recipients to participate in community service activities. This volume describes the ways schools are required to use money from their FWS Program funds to…

The purpose of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is to encourage schools to provide grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students to help pay for postsecondary education. Giving priority to applicants with exceptional financial need, schools selecting FSEOG recipients must use the selection criteria…

The Federal Perkins Loan Program is comprised of Perkins Loans, National Direct Student Loans (NDSLs), and National Defense Student Loans (Defense Loans). Perkins Loans. Made to students with no outstanding balance on a Defense Loan or NDSL, and NDSLs are low-interest (currently 5%), long-term loans made through school financial aid office to help…

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program encourages the part-time employment of undergraduate and graduate students who need the income to help pay the cost of their education and encourages FSW recipients to participate in community service activities. This volume describes the ways schools are required to use money from their FSW Program funds to…

The purpose of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is to encourage schools to provide grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students to help pay for postsecondary education. Giving priority to applicants with exceptional financial need, schools selecting FSEOG recipients must use the selection criteria…

Analysis of data from National Education Longitudinal Study found that a third of parents of high school seniors had not begun preparing for college costs and a quarter had begun only recently. Most did not expect savings to cover costs and had investigated financial aid but relatively few had applied. Grants, scholarships, and fellowships were…

A survey of parents of college-bound high school students (1996 and 1997-99) considered separately) found widespread belief that college education is a worthwhile investment for economic and personal reasons, despite high cost. Most could provide cost figures for public colleges. Expected sources for funding college varied. Many save little for…

A study investigated the effect of emergency loans of up to $275 on retention among 504 loan applicants (347 granted and 157 denied) at 1 university. Results indicate the loans had little or no effect on the likelihood of a student remaining in college. (Author/MSE)

National survey data concerning extent and sources of parental financial support for college expenses reveal that support takes the form of both money, primarily from current income, and goods and services and represents intergenerational transfer of resources. Patterns in marital status and other student characteristics from the survey are…