Make College Tuition Less Terrifying Maine

(ARA) – Even in a slowing economy, high school students graduate and go to college. But when your bank account is already strained, adding thousands of dollars in tuition to the mix can be a terrifying thought. Parents and students don’t have to shoulder the burden themselves though; financial aid for those who qualify is available if you’re persistent and know where to look.

The first stop on your college financing journey should be to meet with the financial aid advisor at the school your child will be attending (or hopes to attend). Student and parents should meet with the advisor, who acts as an advocate to get the best funding package to fit each student’s situation.

When a student applies to a university, they will typically receive a financial aid packet that includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the key that unlocks the financial aid process and gets a student into the system. The FAFSA can be filed any time during the year, but the process should start as soon as parents receive W-2 forms in January. You can fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is crucial that the form be filled out correctly, so don’t hesitate to stay in contact with the school’s financial aid advisor if you need guidance or have questions.

The FAFSA covers state and federal aid, but you shouldn’t stop there. Colleges and universities provide millions of dollars in scholarships each year and the financial help they can provide shouldn’t be underestimated.

DeVry University, for example, offers scholarships for students who fall into many different groups, including those nominated by a high school guidance counselor, educators, veterans and many others. Umeko Poole is a student at DeVry University in Arlington, Va., majoring in game and simulation programming.

“I received the 21st Century DeVry grant,” says Poole. “The wonderful thing about this grant is that it enabled me to register for more classes. Taking more classes will help me to graduate a lot sooner.”

When it comes to scholarships, don’t discount family ties. Shannon Taylor is a student at DeVry University, Raleigh/Durham, N.C., and received a full AMVETS scholarship because her father was a Vietnam veteran. “The DeVry scholarship has helped me to pursue my dream of a college education because the amount of the scholarship was $9,000 off the total amount of my education,” she says. “It also gave me the courage to apply for more scholarships that I qualify for.”

To apply for scholarships, some private colleges and universities also require additional forms, such as the PROFILE, which is administered by the College Scholarship Service, the financial aid division of the College Board. Many private institutions require the form to determine a student’s eligibility for non-governmental financial aid like loans, grants and scholarships.

Even if you’ve been through the financial aid process before and have been turned down or have come away disappointed with your award, don’t give up. Apply for aid every year even if you think you don’t qualify. Situations can change and while a student may not have been eligible last year, this year could be a different story.

When it comes to college financial aid, be enterprising and use all the resources at your disposal. For more information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities, visit www.DeVry.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Starting in the 2009 tax year, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more parents and students will qualify over the next two years for a tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, to pay for college expenses.

The American Opportunity Credit is not available on the 2008 returns taxpayers are filing during 2009. The new credit modifies the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making the Hope Credit available to a broader range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. It also adds required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student.

The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels. These income limits are higher than under the existing Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits

Click here to read more from irs.gov

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