A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools - 1997

Appendix C

Federal Student Aid Programs

Federal financial aid can be an important resource for paraprofessionals seeking education degrees or teaching certificates. The following types of student assistance are available to full- and part-time students taking a course of study that leads to a degree or certificate and meets the U.S. Department of Education requirements for an eligible program. Additionally, certain types of federal student financial assistance are available for students enrolled at least half-time in a program to obtain a professional credential or certification required by a state for employment as an elementary or secondary school teacher (Federal Perkins Loans, FFEL Stafford Loans, and Direct Loans).

Types of Assistance:

Pell Grants

Federal Pell grants provide financial assistance based on economic need to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. The amount of the grant varies depending on student financial need, the yearly amount it costs to attend school, whether you are a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. Pell Grants can be awarded to students enrolled on a less than half-time basis who meet the other eligibility criteria.

Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Family Education Stafford Loans

Students enrolled in an institution of higher education at least half-time to obtain a degree or certificate can apply for subsidized and unsubsidized loans through the Direct Stafford Loan program and the Federal Family Education Stafford Loan program. Subsidized loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest is charged before repayment begins or for six months after the recipient graduates, leaves school, or enrollment status drops below half-time. Unsubsidized loans are not awarded on the basis of need, and interest is charged from the time the loan is granted until it is paid in full. The financial aid administrator of the school you wish to attend can help you determine how much money you can borrow.

Campus-Based Programs

Campus-based financial aid programs are federal student aid programs administered by the financial aid office of each participating school. Not all schools participate in all programs. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid. A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. The school is the lender and the loan is made with federal government funds. The loan is repaid to the school.

General Eligibility Requirements

For Further Information

Free information on these programs, including application information, is available from the Federal Student Aid Information Center between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-433-3243, which is a toll-free number. Hearing impaired individuals may contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center by calling 1-800-730-8913, a toll-free TTD number.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education's World Wide Web site at http://www.ed.gov/ has a special section devoted to student aid. Another valuable source of free information is the U.S. Department of Education's Project EASI web site that offers students a "one-stop shopping" library of information on financial aid from government and private sources. The site is located at http://easi.ed.gov.

Information also is available from school financial aid administrators.
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[Appendix B] [Table of Contents] [Works Consulted]