Find Money for College

Financial aid for college can come from a lot of different places, but the first three general sources to look into are:

• Ohio government - Ohio Board of Regents and other state-sponsored sources
• U.S. government - Federal loans, scholarships, and more
• Military - Financial aid for military personnel, veterans, and their families

And be careful! Make sure any financial aid search service is free - if it costs money, it could be a scam!

Other online resources to help you find money for college:

Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: College Aid Resources
The Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators website contains information designed to help you understand and explore the financial aid resources available for higher education, including a cost comparison worksheet, contact information, and a reference guide for some common educational loan terms.

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid
The U.S. Department of Education provides detailed information on federal financial aid programs and tells you how to apply for them. The guide is available in both English and Spanish and in PDF and HTML formats. Print copies may be requested from the U.S. Department of Education.

Start Here, Go Further: Federal Student Aid for Students and Parents
This web site can answer many of your questions about aid eligibility, types of federal aid, and how to apply. From this site you can get a personal identification number (PIN), which allows you to complete applications online.

College Board: Scholarships and Aid Information
The College Board takes you, step-by-step, through the financial aid application process, including applying, understanding your aid package, and searching for scholarships.

College Board: Scholarship Search
In addition to scholarships, you can locate internships, grants, and loans that match your interests and education level.

FinAid.org: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
This practical, easy-to-follow guide is designed to be the one-stop resource for students applying for federal aid and other types of financial assistance. Links are provided to application forms, cost calculators, and other tools.

FastWeb: Scholarship
Users of this online tool answer a detailed questionnaire to generate information about scholarships as well as internships and part-time job opportunities.

Scholarships.com: Scholarship Profiler
This independent service matches the user's profile to scholarships that are most relevant in terms of the user's academics, talents, and interests. Tips for avoiding scholarship scams appear on this site.

Education tax credits from the IRS

Federal Education Tax Credits
Tax credits can help offset education costs. The Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are education credits you can subtract in full from the federal income tax. For more information, download the Tax Benefits for Education publication from the IRS.