Here are some very useful sites from Ocan:
Other Resource Links
Preparing for College:
www.act.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.students.gov
www.collegeanswer.com
www.ode.state.oh.us
www.gedtest.org
www.sat-preparation.co.il
Selecting & Applying for Colleges:
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegenet.com
www.collegeview.com
www.mycollegeoptions.com
www.regents.state.oh.us/visit_campuses.htm
www.edref.com
Saving for College:
www.collegeadvantage.com
Paying for College:
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org
www.salliemae.com
www.studentloanfunding.com
www.studentaid.ed.gov
www.todaysmilitary.com
www.lunch-money.com
Career Planning:
www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm
http://lmi.state.oh.us
http://www.mapping-your-future.org
http://ohiocareerdev.org
http://acrnetwork.org
http://www.oln.org/student_services/careerresources.php
http://acinet.org/acinet
Scholarship Sources:
http://www.dellscholars.org/
Financial Aid Resources:
Don't let dollars stand in the way of dreams. College is possible, and it is affordable. Loans, scholarships and grants are available. Thousands of them. In addition, military aid is available through
Reserve Officer Training Programs (ROTC), U.S. Armed Forces recruiting programs and Financial Aid for Veterans and their Dependents.
"How do I find out about the different scholarships and grants that are available?"
This can be overwhelming. There are literally thousands of different financial aid options and tools available. The trick is to find the ones that are right for you. There are scholarships based on geography, based on your field of study, based on extracurricular interests, etc. First, begin by understanding what financial aid is offered by your chosen school and determining whether you are eligible for the different programs. Then, work with your guidance counselors or college access programs in your community to navigate other sources. Other sources include many different Web sites, such as FinAid.org, FastWeb.com, collegeview.com, the U.S. Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents. Many of these organizations publish scholarship directories that can be accessed through college information centers, high school libraries and public libraries.
For information about federal student aid programs, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (if hearing impaired) and ask for a free copy of The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education. This toll-free hotline is run by the U.S. Department of Education and can answer questions about federal and state student aid programs and applications. You can also write to request a copy at:
Federal Student Aid Information Center
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
Federal student aid requires you to complete the FAFSA form-the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can ask your guidance counselor for a copy. You can also get the FAFSA from the financial aid office at a local college, your local public library, or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. The online version of the form is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
"Why do I need to fill out so many forms? My parents are uncomfortable disclosing their personal financial information."
Financial aid programs are based on a family's or students' financial need. The forms you fill out are similar to your parents tax forms and in fact use your family's income and tax information already disclosed to the IRS. Financial detail is necessary to determine funding eligibility.
The Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship Funds
Addressing financial need through scholarships is one of the key elements of Project Access: The Sallie Mae Fund's community-based initiative. Since 2001, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded $7.4 million in scholarships to help over 3,000 students enroll in college.
