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Finding Aid To Pay For College Means A Little Work For A Lot Of Return

by NatashaBright

The United States of America has changed greatly thanks to higher education. One aspect in which higher education has changed with the times is the payment systems that are in place to deal with the soaring cost of a college education. Many students are able to go to college today thanks to a system in place which is known as financial aid. This system allows many students who would not have the financial means to attend college their own chance at advancing their education. What will help with students and their expenses is learning all they can about college scholarship options as they plan.

President Lyndon B. Johnson is responsible for many of the new roles in which government has presented itself. His "Great Society" programs have transformed the way Americans interact with their government. The Higher Education Act of 1965 was part of the "Great Society" as it created the financial aid system that exists today. Thanks to the Higher Education Act of 1965, many areas of college life that were once not governed and unavailable to all students have opened their doors to all.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 is extremely far reaching - an example of this is Title IX. Title IX prevents discrimination among genders within a collegiate institution. The area of legislation that impacts the everyday college student is probably Title IV. Title IV is where the system of financial aid that is in place today is located. Thanks to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, students now have options to pay for school.

The first step to obtaining financial aid is to fill out the cumbersome form known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA requires a student and their family to disclose all financial information as the government assumes that the student's family will help pay part of the cost. It is important that students understand they must return the FAFSA quickly as federal student aid is distributed on a first come - first serve basis. Along with detailed information on grants for college, the FAFSA is the place to start.

The most prominent of the federal student aid program may be the Pell Grant. This grant was named for Senator Clayton Pell. The idea of the Pell Grant is to lower the cost of college by providing students in great financial need with money that is under no obligation to be repaid to the federal government. The Pell Grant will not cover the entire cost of college, but can defray a great portion of it.

The Stafford loan is a low-interest, government backed loan issued by the federal government that is the most visible of the government loan programs for college students. Students are not required to make payments on this loan while they are attending school however payments must commence six months after the last full-time semester.

The Federal Work-Study program is also part of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This portion of Title IV requires colleges to set aside jobs at a salary of minimum wage or higher for students who qualify for the program. Students can use this money for any college expenses they incur.

About the Author: Frank Cole

Attending college is no longer a dream deferred due to finances; not with all the various forms of financial aid available for on-campus and online degree programs. If a student is willing to put in the work to fill out the forms and work hard in class, the federal government is willing to help with the cost of an education through grants and scholarships.

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Finding Aid To Pay For College Means A Little Work For A Lot Of Return