Many students feel that education after high school is simply out of reach financially. You might think that you can't go because your parents can't afford it. That's where financial aid comes in!

Financial aid is money to pay for college that is not provided by parents. This money comes from federal, state, college, and private sources.

When people talk about financial aid, you may hear words like grants or scholarships, tax credits, work-study and loans. Grants and scholarships are "free" money--you don't have to pay it back. Federal tax credits reduce the amount of income tax your parents pay. Federal work-study is a job awarded to you to help pay for college. Loans are money that you do have to pay back.

If you are confused about how to pay for college, The College Board has some answers!

You can find out more about how to pay for your child's education after high school from these helpful sites at the Department of Education:

The Student Aid Portal Web site from the Federal Student Aid Programs is very helpful. Good links to a lot of resources within the Department of Education.

On-line publications: Funding Your Education; The Student Guide (U.S. Department of Education)

Community Resources

To the reader: Non-U.S. Department of Education websites are linked as a public service only. These websites are provided as a tool to help visitors explore the wide range of options and information available, and to help them make informed choices about how to prepare for and pursue postsecondary education opportunities. As such, the organization, services, advice, or products are not endorsed or guaranteed in any way by the U.S. Department of Education and are entirely the responsibility of the webmaster of the site visited.

FinAid is an electronic encyclopedia for financial aid resources. There's something for everyone.

FastWeb is a free Internet scholarship search. Scholarships are "free" money. Well, here is a place students can look for that money! There are many scholarship resources on the Web that will cost money. This one won't!

College Is Possible is a comprehensive resource for students, parents, and education professionals on college planning and access. Their Paying for College website provides a straightforward introduction to college financing and student aid.