Table Of Contentst
61 Edition College Financial Aid Handbook
NEED A LIFT?
The American Legion
2012
www.NeedALift.org
NEED A LIFT?
Roadmap To Your “After-High-School” Education
A guide to choosing a career, selecting a school,
learning who offers scholarships, finding ways to pay, and more.
61st Edition ~ 2012 Issue
Published annually by
THE AMERICAN LEGION
© Copyright 2011, The American Legion
All Rights Reserved.
Charles W. Graybiel, Editor — NEED A LIFT?
Assistant Director for Education & Scholarship Programs
The American Legion National Headquarters
The American Legion wishes to thank McGlinn & Associates,
Nokesville, Virginia, for its valuable assistance in the preparation of
NEED A LIFT? ~ 61st Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION MILITARY SOURCES:
Who is The American Legion? ..................................... v PROGRAMS & FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
In This Edition .............................................................. v Military Service Branches .........................................5-1
Join the Military ........................................................5-1
GETTING IN & Federal Sources .........................................................5-6
PAYING FOR SCHOOL Troops to Teachers (TTT) .......................................5-12
The Basics ..................................................................1-1 State Sources ........................................................... 5-12
Get Organized ............................................................1-1 All Services ............................................................. 5-28
Choose Your Career ...................................................1-2 U.S. Air Force .......................................................... 5-34
Select Your School ....................................................1-2 U.S. Army ................................................................ 5-34
Apply to Schools ........................................................1-4 U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, or Marines ....................... 5-37
Sources of Student Financial Aid ..............................1-5
Qualify for Federal Student Aid ................................1-6 PRIVATE SOURCES:
Apply for Student Financial Aid ................................1-7 “FREE MONEY” PROGRAMS
Compare Award Letters .............................................1-9
Undergraduate Assistance .........................................6-1
Receive Funding ........................................................1-9
Undergraduate & Graduate Assistance ......................6-8
Apply for Scholarships!! ..........................................1-10
Graduate Assistance ................................................6-14
Understand Student Loans .......................................1-10
Cooperative Education ............................................ 6-17
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................1-11
FAFSA Worksheet & Checklists .............................1-12
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL PROFILES
FAFSA Worksheet ...................................................1-13
Field Descriptions ......................................................7-1
FEDERAL EDUCATION SOURCES Profiles .......................................................................7-2
Grants .........................................................................2-1
BOOKS
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program ........................2-3
Student Loans ............................................................2-3 Saving for College .....................................................8-1
Loan Forgiveness .......................................................2-5 Planning for College ..................................................8-1
Tax Benefits for Education ........................................2-7 Researching Careers ..................................................8-3
Choosing a College Major .........................................8-4
STATE EDUCATION SOURCES Entrance Tests ...........................................................8-4
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Selecting a School .....................................................8-5
(LEAP) Program ....................................................3-1 Applying to College ..................................................8-6
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program ...........3-1 Paying for College .....................................................8-7
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs ..........................3-1 College Advice ..........................................................8-9
529 Plans ....................................................................3-2 For Parents ............................................................... 8-10
State Residency Basics ..............................................3-2
ACRONYMS, GLOSSARY, ETC.
THE AMERICAN LEGION:
Acronyms ..................................................................9-1
STUDENT AID FOR EDUCATION Glossary .....................................................................9-1
National Sources ........................................................4-1 Websites ....................................................................9-5
State Sources ..............................................................4-3 Telephone Numbers ...................................................9-6
www.NedALift.org i
NEED A LIFT? is available on the Web.
The American Legion also offers an
easy-to-navigate, searchable version of this publication.
Plus, you can download chapters or the entire book in PDF format.
Visit www.NeedALift.org.
(Information is continually updated.)
iv
INTRODUCTION
This guide is made available by The American Legion. CHAPTER 2: FEDERAL EDUCATION SOURCES
It is filled with grants, scholarships, fee waivers, Lists student loans, grants, scholarships, work-study,
student loans, tax incentives, checklists, and a wealth of loan forgiveness, tax benefits, and education IRAs
resources supplied to help you further your education. offered by federal agencies.
NEED A LIFT? will help to ensure your success. It
can also help you: CHAPTER 3: STATE EDUCATION SOURCES
Lists higher education departments, veteran affairs
• Choose a career and school. agencies, residency requirements, and 529 plans
• Get into college. provided at the state level.
• Understand the student financial aid process. CHAPTER 4: THE AMERICAN LEGION:
STUDENT AID FOR EDUCATION
• Learn options for saving and paying for college.
Lists scholarships, grants, and student loans for
• Find federal, state, and military education veterans and their dependents offered by the Legion at
assistance programs. the national and state levels.
Also, an entire chapter is dedicated to scholarships and CHAPTER 5: MILITARY SOURCES:
programs offered by The American Legion. PROGRAMS & FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
Contains valuable information for anyone considering
WHO IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?
military service. Lists educational benefits for veterans
The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans and their dependents offered by various military
service organization, committed to mentoring and organizations.
sponsorship of youth programs in various communities,
advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong CHAPTER 6: PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS: “FREE MONEY”
national security, and continued devotion to their fellow Discusses scholarships and financial aid offered to
servicemembers and veterans. students by various private organizations.
This publication will save families time and offers CHAPTER 7: FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL PROFILES
useful resources to help further their education. It Provides basic information on four-year colleges and
provides valuable information to assist children and universities located in the U.S. (data provided by
spouses of disabled and deceased veterans pursue College Board).
higher education, yet all students can benefit from the
CHAPTER 8: BOOKS
information within.
Lists useful publications from saving and paying for
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on college to preparing for campus life. Also, contains a
active membership, participation, and volunteerism. section specifically for parents.
The organization belongs to the people it serves and the
CHAPTER 9: ACRONYMS, GLOSSARY, ETC.
communities in which it thrives.
Offers a glossary, acronyms, and important contact
IN THIS EDITION information.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING IN & PAYING FOR SCHOOL HELP US IMPROVE NEED A LIFT?
Helps you learn how to plan and pay for your
We welcome your comments or suggestions to make this
“after-high-school” education. Topics covered include:
publication more useful in future editions.
choosing a school, applying for student financial aid,
finding scholarships, and understanding student loans. Send feedback to:
NEED A LIFT?
YOUR NOTES
vi
Chapter
1
GETTING IN & PAYING FOR SCHOOL
This chapter discusses getting organized, choosing a Organizations that offer student financial aid
career, selecting a school, completing the FAFSA (Free
• College and universities
Application for Federal Student Aid), applying for
• Federal, state, and local governments
scholarships, deciphering financial aid award letters,
and understanding student loans. The FAFSA on the • The American Legion
Web worksheet and helpful checklists are also included. • Military branches
• Employers
THE BASICS • Private organizations
• Religious groups
How are you going to pay for your “after-high-school”
• Individuals
education? Student financial aid is available to help you
pay, but what does that really mean?
GET ORGANIZED
WHAT IS STUDENT FINANCIAL AID? As you begin your college planning, if you commit to
being organized and staying focused on your goal, the
Oh, what a boring term! However, it could provide
the money you need for your education. process will be easier to manage and less stressful.
These tips will help:
Definition: Student financial aid is funding to help
students pay educational expenses including • Create one folder per each school on your list for
tuition and fees, room and board, books and filing brochures, catalogs, correspondence, forms,
supplies, etc. for an education at a college, and notes.
university, or private school.
• Create a folder for scholarships you apply for and
file scholarship requirements, correspondence, and
Review the basics about student financial aid: applications.
• Organize your folders in a box, or cabinet
Expenses covered
(something that will keep file folders upright).
• School expenses • Designate a calendar for noting important dates
and deadlines relating to admissions, financial aid,
• Tuition and fees
scholarships, etc. Mark everything clearly.
• Room and board • File copies of documents used to complete forms
(such as driver’s license, recent bank statements,
• Books and supplies
latest federal tax forms, and W-2s).
• Travel • Keep copies of your student loan application(s),
Types of aid contact information, and correspondence relating
to your lender.
• Scholarships Bottom line: If you think the document maybe
• Grants important — file it.
• It’s a good idea to purchase some supplies, too.
• Work-study
Items that may be helpful: Colored markers,
• Student loans highlighters, self-stick notes in different colors,
1-1
NEED A LIFT?
Talk to people.
Keep copies of correspondence, applications,
TIP letters of recommendation ... basically everything Once you’ve narrowed your career choices, talk to
you submit. Also, back up related computer files. people working in that field or, if possible, find a
part-time or volunteer job in that field. Many sources of
envelopes, return address labels, “thank you” career and job outlook information are offered on the
notes, and stamps. These items may come in handy Internet.
when you start applying.
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
COLLEGE INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude
Battery) Career Exploration Program
Date www.asvabprogram.com
Director of Admissions CareerOneStop
USA University WEB
www.CareerOneStop.org
Collegetown, USA 12345-1234
MBTI Personality Test
Dear Sir or Madam:
www.MyersBriggs.org
I am entering my senior year at ABC High School in
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Anytown, Virginia and will graduate in May 2012.
www.bls.gov/oco
Please send me an application, current catalog, and any
other descriptive materials which will be helpful in planning
and paying for my education after high school.
Consider how much training is needed for careers that
I would appreciate receiving information and applications interest you.
for general scholarships and financial aid as well. I am also
interested in special scholarships or grants available to • High school diploma: Cashier, receptionist, retail
students planning to study ________________________.
salesperson, security guard, waiter, waitress, etc.
Please let me know if a representative of USA University
will be visiting my area in the near future, as I would be • Special career training: Auto service technician,
very interested in speaking with them about your institution. cosmetologist, police officer, truck driver, etc.
Sincerely,
• College degree: Accountant, engineer, forensic
Charles A. College, Jr.
science technician, graphic designer, nurse, pilot,
Charles A. College, Jr.
