Federal & State Aid The federal government is the single largest source of financial aid for domestic students, providing about 70 percent of all available funds. Plan ahead and get your share! |
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The Need Factor
From the federal perspective, need is pretty straightforward: COA (Cost of Attendance) - EFC (Expected Family Contribution) = Need. This little equation has a big impact on your bottom line. If your EFC is more than a school's cost, you're "no-need". If it's less, you will likely qualify for help in the form of grants, loans, and other aid.
Get an idea of what you'll pay:
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for federal student aid you must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island), or a U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Card). If not, you must be an eligible non-citizen, and you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
F-1 or F-2 student visa holders are not eligible for federal aid.
Billions of Dollars, One Application: The FAFSA
You may think it's complicated to apply for federal aid. It's not! One form is your gateway to all government and much college-based assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine what you'll pay and how much help you're entitled to.
Big important FAFSA rules:
- Complete the form online as soon as possible after January 1
- Every family (and we mean every family) should apply
- Respond immediately to requests for more information
Learn more:
The CSS/PROFILE
Keep in mind that for certain private colleges that award large amounts of their own aid, you may need to complete the CSS/PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA. Be sure to fill out all forms completely and accurately. You don't want to jeopardize any possible awards!
3 Families, 3 Financial Situations, 3 Colleges
Think you make too much to get federal or state aid? Think again. These case studies prove that there's more to financial aid than you think.
Tax Breaks and Tuition
There are more ways to save on college tuition than squirreling away your pennies and searching for scholarships. Under a program promoted by the IRS, you can receive tax breaks if you paid tuition for yourself, a spouse, or a child.
Find money for college! More than 1.7 million awards valued at $7.6 billion! 
