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Resource Center
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Quick Steps |
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Financial Aid & Scholarships:
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Funding Your Graduate Education:
Federal Student Aid
For information about types of federal student aid, eligibility criteria, and repaying student loans, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov
Federal student aid accounts for the largest percentage of aid received by graduate and professional students, so be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov
To find out about funding from agencies other than ED, take a look at www.students.gov
Don't forget to research tax benefits at the Internal Revenue Service's Web site! www.irs.gov
State Aid
Your state might offer assistance for graduate or professional school. Contact information for state higher education agencies is at www.ed.gov/Programs/bastmp/SHEA.htm
Institutional Aid
According to ED statistics, your school is likely to provide nearly as much of your graduate funding as the federal government is. To find out what aid is available at your school, contact the financial aid office as well as a faculty member in your area of study. For instance, if you plan to seek a Master of Arts in French Literature, you might speak to the Chair or to the Director of Graduate Studies for the French Department.
Other Aid
Here are some other places you should consider looking for funding:
the reference section of your school or public library
the Internet (there is a free scholarship search at www.studentaid.ed.gov)
foundations, religious organizations, community organizations, local businesses, and civic groups
organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
ethnicity-based organizations
your employer
your state vocational rehabilitation agency (if appropriate); a list of state agencies is at www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html
Alternative Loans
There are many private loan programs with varying interest rates available to you. These programs require a separate application process. A credit evaluation may be required by the lender and if you have an adverse credit history you may be denied a loan.
CitiAssist Loan - for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents or international students with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer, the CitiAssist Loan from Citibank is a very competively priced alternative loan program that can help meet your education funding needs while you invest in your education. The interest rate for this program is Prime plus 0%. For more information, please vist the CitiAssist web site.
Teri - www.teri.com
Sallie Mae - www.salliemae.com
Access Group - www.accessgroup.org
Key Education Resources - www.key.com/educate/grad
Other Sources
Federal Student Financial Aid: U.S. Department of Education www.studentaid.ed.gov
Finaid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid Scholarship - www.finaid.com
Google - www.google.com
Penn's Student Financial Services Office - www.sfs.upenn.edu
Student Awards Scholarship Search - hundreds of thousands of awards in its database, www.studentawards.com
Yahoo - www.yahoo.com
Points to Consider
Save your money
You don't have to pay for information about aid. If a company offers to help you find financial aid for a fee, read Looking for Student Aid at www.studentaid.ed.gov/LSA before you agree to pay for services.
You also don't have to pay to submit the FAFSA. If you visit a Web site that asks for payment for the FAFSA, you're not at the official ED site. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
Know how to handle your student loans
Check out ED's publication called Repaying Your Student Loans at www.studentaid.ed.gov/repayingpub
Questions?
Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (TTY for the hearing-impaired: 1-800-730-8913)
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