State Agency Programs

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State Agencies offer a variety of state-sponsored financial aid programs such as grants, scholarships, and other financial aid. These programs are restricted to state residents or students attending state institutions

Contact your state education department for complete information list of state education agencies:

state agency list and contact information

Military Service

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Reserves Officer's Training Corps (ROTC):

• federal-merit scholarship program that will pay for college and provide a monthly allowance;
  
• program available at approximately 600 colleges nationwide.
  
• you must meet specific academic or physical fitness requirements to join.
  
• you will be required to complete a period of military service after you graduate.
  
• you will receive a commission as a U.S. military officer upon successful graduation.

link for information:

	Navy ROTC
	Army ROTC
	Air Force ROTC
	Marines ROTC
	National Guard ROTC
	Coast Guard ROTC

 

Service Academies:

• military academies pay for college and provide a monthly allowance.
  
• appointees to the academy are nominated by a member of Congress.
  
• you will receive a commission as a U.S. military officer upon successful graduation.

link for information:

	Naval Academy
	US Military Academy
	Air Force Academy
	Coast Guard
	Merchant Marine

Investment Savings

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529 Plans

Savings programs established and administered by States for the purpose of setting aside savings for "qualified higher education expenses".

A family member setups and makes contributions to a fund with one of the States that sponsors 529 College Prepaid Tuition and/or Savings Plans. Accumulated funds can be used to pay for qualified college.

For further information:

see this 529 center for information

Tax Credits

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The IRS allows students and parents who file and owe taxes to claim one of two educational credits. Tax credits reduce your overall taxes paid dollar-for-dollar:

1: American Opportunity Tax Credit

Provides for a maximum $2500 per year per eligible student. It is available only for the first four years of post secondary education.

The student must be enrolled at least 1/2 of the full-time workload in a program that leads to a degree, certificate or other educational credential.

Credit can only be taken for expenses covering tuition, fees, and and books (if the book expense was paid to the institution on condition of enrollment) minus any scholarships and grants received.

Room and board, personal expenses and transportation are non-eligible expenses.

Some restriction apply — view the IRS topic for more information: rs.gov/...pubs

 

2: Lifetime Learning Tax Credit

Provides for a maximum $2000 per year per return; is available for any year of post secondary education including graduate work.

The student must be enrolled at an eligible educational institution.

Credit can only be taken for expenses covering tuition, fees, and and books (if the book expense was paid to the institution on condition of enrollment) minus any scholarships and grants received.

Room and board, personal expenses and transportation are non-eligible expenses.

Some restriction apply — view the IRS topic for more information: irs.gov/...pubs

Other Aid Assistance

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Veterans Benefits:

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several programs administered by its Education Services. Aid is available for veterans, reservists, National Guard persons, widows, and orphans.

Programs detailed on the VA Education Service Web site include the Montgomery GI Bill (for Active and Selected Reserves personnel), Veterans Educational Assistance Program, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, Work-Study, and Tutorial Assistance:

gibill.va.gov/

 

Americorps:

Service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps allows people of all ages and backgrounds to earn help paying for education in exchange for a year of service:

americorps.gov

 

Loan Forgiveness:

Volunteer for public service after college and have some of your student loan debt forgiven. Programs include:

• AmeriCorps
  americorps.gov
• Peace Corps
  peacecorps.gov
• Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
  americorps.gov

 

U.S. Public Health Service:

Variety of loans, scholarships, and faculty loan repayment programs available for students in the health professions. Help in several areas, including dentistry, public health, optometry, and veterinary medicine:

hrsa.dhhs.gov

 

Job Training Partnership Act:

Department of Labor program of tuition and free assistance for job training for the economically disadvantaged, dislocated workers, and others facing employment barriers:

doleta.gov

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