Other Types of Aid

In addition to the primary sources of financial aid (loans and scholarships), other kinds of aid are available to many students. These other types of aid fall into eight broad categories: Free Scholarship Lotteries Federal and State Government Aid College-Controlled Aid Student Profile-Based Aid Aid for Graduate and Professional School Aid for Elementary and Secondary School Aid for Specific Activities Innovative Programs Free Scholarship Lotteries Scholarship Lotteries Several sites have started giving away scholarships to attract traffic. Look here for a list of the largest free scholarship lotteries. Federal and State Government Aid US Federal Government Aid Here you'll find information about the various forms of aid available from the federal government. US State Government Aid Look here for pointers to state aid programs and residency requirements for in-state tuition. Section 529 Plans: Prepaid Tuition Plans and College Savings Plans Section 529 plans are state-sponsored college savings programs. The two major types are Prepaid Tuition Plans, which lock in current tuition rates, and State College Savings Plans, which offer more flexible investing options. Both are useful ways for families to save for their children's college education. Scholarships for Volunteering and Community Service Volunteering can not only help the disadvantaged, but it can provide money for your college education. Learn about the National Service Scholarships Program, AmeriCorps, and other awards for community service. Military Aid Aid resources for veterans and their dependents and for students interested in pursuing careers in the military. Education Tax Benefits Information about the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits, the deduction for student loan interest, tax treatment of employer education assistance, and other tax benefits for education. College-Controlled Aid School Financial Aid Office Web Sites Look here for information about your school's financial aid policies and procedures, including application deadlines. Tuition Payment Plans Tuition payment plans are short-term installment plans that split your tuition into equal monthly payments. School-Specific Scholarships and Fellowships Scholarship and fellowship programs offered only at specific schools, including college-controlled merit scholarships. College Partnerships Partnerships between certain community colleges and four-year colleges make it easier for students to transfer from a community college into a four-year college. Studying for two years at a community college can save the student a significant amount of money. Student Profile-Based Aid International Students Sources of financial aid and other useful information for foreign nationals studying in the US. Canadian Students Scholarships, loans and other sources of aid for Canadian students, in both Canada and the US. Students with Disabilities Resources specific to students with disabilities. Female Students Scholarships, grants and other awards intended specifically for female students. Minority Students Scholarships, award programs and advice specifically for members of ethnic minorities. Older and Nontraditional Students Financial aid information for students age 30 and older. Jewish Students Financial aid information for Jewish students. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Students National, regional and school-specific scholarships for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. Undocumented Students and Illegal Aliens Financial aid and scholarships for undocumented students and illegal aliens. Ayuda Financiera del Estudiante en Espanol Financial aid information and resources in Spanish. Cancer Scholarships Scholarships for cancer patients, cancer survivors, children of a cancer patient or survivor, students who lost a parent to cancer, and students pursuing careers in cancer treatment. Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships A list of the most prestigious, competitive and lucrative scholarships and fellowships. Aid for Graduate and Professional School Graduate School Options and tips for funding a postgraduate education. Business School Awards and advice specific to MBA students. Law School Awards and advice specific to law students. Medical School Awards, professional organizations and other resources specific to medical students. Aid for Elementary and Secondary School Private Elementary and Secondary Schools Financial aid available to parents of children attending private elementary or secondary schools. Aid for Specific Activities Contests Some groups, particularly professional organizations, hold contests that offer cash and other prizes. Domestic Exchange and Study Abroad Programs A variety of loans, scholarships, grants and tuition-reduction options are available for students studying abroad, or participating in domestic exchange programs. Grants Grants are a form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay. Numerous private organizations and government agencies offer grants to students in all fields. Sports Scholarships, Athletic Scholarships and Financial Aid for Student Athletes Information about sports scholarships and other resources for the student-athlete. Specific Majors or Courses of Study Scholarships and awards available to students pursuing specific majors, such as computer science, engineering, journalism, nursing, etc. Innovative Programs Student Sponsorships and Education Investments Private benefactors and investors provide students with funding for their education in exchange for a fixed percentage of the student's future income for a fixed number of years. Many students find these as an attractive alternative to loans. Early Awareness Initiatives Early awareness initiatives try to increase the number of students pursuing a college education by encouraging them to consider college as a real possibility when they are young. Many lower-income children give up on college when they are very young, as early as the first or second grade. By the time they reach high school and change their minds, they often lack the necessary preparation. Early awareness programs try to stop pipeline leakage when the students are young by encouraging them to aspire to and plan for college. This increases the number of students pursuing challenging courses, the number of students graduating from high school, and the number of students matriculating in college.