Sources for Financial Aid Information

When you think about the future, attending college is probably one of your options. If you are not one of the lucky few to earn an athletic or other full or partial scholarship to attend the school of your choice, you will probably have to try to find as much financial aid as possible. The following links will hopefully help you find the resources you need to achieve your goals.

The information below is compiled from www.fafsa.gov, www.studentaid.gov, and www.aes.org. There are also a couple of helpful articles, courtesy of The Sport Source.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For most need-based programs, the most important form you must complete is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may apply by paper, FAFSA Express or the Internet. Before filling out a FAFSA, make sure to go over this checklist to save time during your application. After filling out the required forms, make sure to follow-up by checking on the status of your submitted FAFSA on their website.

The deadline for the 2006-2007 FAFSA web application is midnight Central Daylight time, July 2, 2007.

Department of Education: Federal Student Aid

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education's website for Federal Student Aid. This website contains information for students, parents and counselors regarding student loan applications and management.

American Education Services (AES)

Content courtesy of American Education Services (AES). AES is a division of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, a nationwide student financial services organization. Over the past 36 years, the Agency has grown from a small federal loan guarantor with a guaranty volume of only 4,600 student loans in 1964 to one of the largest, full-service financial aid organizations in the nation. Today, AES manages more than $33 billion in total assets and serves nearly four million students nationally through it's guaranty, servicing and financial aid processing systems.

The Sport Source

The Sport Source has a mission "to provide the perfect link between a student-athlete, a specialized sports program and a well-rounded college education." Since their inception, The Sport Source has developed numerous strategic alliances with high schools and national/international youth sports organizations that have encouraged them to introduce new services and continue to help improve college guidance and scholarship opportunities for students.

Paying For College: Understanding Financial Aid, Part 1
Too many students rule out a college that may be well suited to meet their needs because of that college's apparent high price. They assume that a student must be from a low-income family in order to qualify for financial aid. They are unaware of student employment opportunities, creative payment plans, and low interest loans.

Paying For College: Understanding Financial Aid, Part 2
There also may still be hope in the form of grants-in-aid, merit scholarships, payment plans, alternative loan programs, and other creative financing options.