NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
Guide to Financial Aid for Working Adult Students (text only)
Acknowledgements
This Guide to Financial Aid for Working Adult Students has been updated by staff from the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training (Partnership). Content and design developed in the original version of this publication came from the valuable insights of CSEA employees and activists, and staff from the NYS Governor’s Office of Employee Relations and the Partnership. Special thanks are extended to Dennis Tillman, Director of Financial Aid at the University at Albany, for his assistance.
To request additional copies of this guide write to:
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
Corporate Plaza East -- Suite 502
240 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York 12203
Call: Educational Advisement at 800-253-4332
E-mail: advisors@nyscseapartnership.org
A JOINT MESSAGE
Gary Johnson
Director
NYS Governor’s Office of Employee Relations
Danny Donohue
President
CSEA, Inc.
New York State and CSEA are jointly committed to making career opportunities available to employees so they can achieve personal success. Fortunately, these opportunities can be realized through the various resources available for paying for school in affordable ways.
This guide, published by the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training, helps make federal and state student aid programs more accessible. Simply follow the advice in this easy-to-read guide. You will learn tips that make it easier to secure financial aid through federal and state programs supported by your tax dollars.
Feel free to call a Partnership educational advisor at 800-253-4332 for assistance with educational financing, educational planning, alternative approaches to further education, and adult education basics. Other educational resources are available on the Partnership's web site at www.nyscseapartnership.org.
We encourage you to make the most of this “user-friendly” guide and to use the Partnership's services and resources.
A NOTE TO CSEA EMPLOYEES
This financial aid guide was written especially for you – the full-time worker and part-time student. We know it is hard to work, go to school, and juggle family and personal responsibilities. We congratulate you for considering the opportunity of furthering your education. This booklet was put together to help you obtain the financial resources you will need.
The GOOD NEWS is that if you are a degree student, you may be qualified for some state or federal non-repayable grants and educational loans. For example, under current guidelines, if you have a New York State net taxable income of $50,500 or less, you may be eligible for Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS). This booklet explains how. See page 5.
Finding out about the financial aid programs you might be eligible for and filling out the required forms can be time consuming and difficult. Don’t be scared off by the paperwork and the process. With the use of this booklet and the help available from the Partnership and the financial aid office at your school, you can get the financial help you are entitled to and need. Remember, your taxes have been paying for these programs for years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In the pages that follow, you will find answers to the following questions:
What Financial Assistance Is Available? 5
What Kinds of Expenses Will Financial Aid Cover? 7
How Can I Find Out If I Might Be Eligible? 7
How Do I Apply? A Step-by-Step Plan to Apply for Financial Aid 8
What If I Have Children in College? 13
Do Special Circumstances Affect My Eligibility? 14
What Are Some Ways to Save on College Costs? 14
Where Can I Get Additional Information and Help? 15
What Are the Most Important Tips? 15
What Do Those Terms Mean? 16
Bibliography 16
WHAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO WORKING PART-TIME ADULT STUDENTS?
Many of the financial aid programs used by full-time college students today may also be used by adult students who are studying for a degree on a part-time basis. Part-time may be defined as taking one three credit hour course or more depending on the financial aid program involved. By combining funds from a number of these programs, you may receive enough help to pay not only for tuition but other costs like books, transportation, child care, and more. What follows is a summary of the most common grants (no repayment required) and loans available at all New York State public and private colleges and some BOCES.
These programs are the best bargains. They are non-repayable gift aid programs. Be sure to apply for them if you meet the criteria below:
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
While eligibility is quite liberal, funds are limited. Contact your financial aid office as early as possible.
• Sponsored by New York State
• Must be in a degree program
• Must be taking less than 12 credit hours
• Must be taking at least 3 credit hours
• Must file the APTS application available from your college
• Funds can only be used for tuition
• Cannot have a New York State net taxable income over $50,500*
• Funds are limited
• Must not be in default on a student loan
• Does not have to be repaid
*Don’t confuse NYS net taxable income with federal adjusted gross income; the NYS net is much lower and you may qualify.
Federal Pell Grant Program
This is an entitlement program, and if you are economically eligible, you will receive Pell.
• Sponsored by the federal government
• Must be in an undergraduate degree program
• Must not be in default on a student loan
• Must not owe a refund on an educational grant
• Must be taking at least one course
• Eligibility and amount based on a very high degree of demonstrated financial need
• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply
• Does not have to be repaid
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This is a form of campus aid and is usually limited. Contact your school financial aid office early. Generally, students receive FSEOG only if they receive a Pell Grant.
• Sponsored by the federal government
• Must be in an undergraduate degree program. Must not be in default on an educational loan
• Must not owe a refund on an educational grant
• Eligibility and amount are based on a very high degree of demonstrated financial need
• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply
• Does not have to be repaid
Federal Perkins Loan
Like FSEOG, the Federal Perkins Loan is very limited; contact your financial aid office early.
• A loan from the college using federal government funds
• Must be in an eligible program at a participating college
• Must not be in default on a student loan
• Must not owe a refund on an educational grant
• Eligibility and amount based on a high degree of demonstrated financial need
• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply
• No repayments until nine months after termination of study
Federal Stafford Loan Program (subsidized)*
• A loan using bank funds with interest paid by the federal government during student enrollment
• Must be in an eligible degree program
• Must be enrolled for at least six credit hours
• Must not be in default on an educational loan
• Must not owe a refund on an educational grant
• Eligibility and amount based on demonstrated financial need
• Must complete a Stafford master promissory note (complete only once)
• Must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• No repayments until six months after termination of study
*Loans on an unsubsidized basis (this means you make interest-only payments while you are in school) are available to anyone regardless of income.
These are the best buys in financial aid. There are many other programs that you may hear about but they may be restricted to students in particular fields of study or educational programs. An absolute must when seeking financial help is to talk with the financial aid counselor at your school to determine those programs to which you should apply.
Besides government-sponsored programs, there may be other programs sponsored by your employer or by private organizations that might help you. Many colleges have small grant and scholarship programs funded by local groups that may be designed for adult learners.
For example, you may find that your employer, agency, or union has a tuition reimbursement program or that small grants are available from the local Business Women’s Association, Chamber of Commerce, or a local fraternal group like the Lion’s Club. Check with any organization to which you (or your spouse) belong. Spend some time with your school financial aid counselor to identify programs like these.
WARNING!
You may receive unsolicited material from commercial scholarship search companies that seem to promise free money for a small fee. These companies will ask for $50 to $100 to search for scholarships for you. They sound good and may be legitimate companies, but we have yet to talk to anybody who was happy using one of these companies. Most of what they identify are either the same programs described in this guide or very obscure private scholarships for which only a rare few individuals are eligible. Before you invest in one of these searches, read the fine print and talk to a Partnership advisor or financial aid counselor. Private scholarships and grants can be researched, free of charge, at your public library or on the Internet at www.collegeboard.org or www.fastweb.com, or by calling the Partnership at 800-253-4332.
WHAT KINDS OF EXPENSES WILL FINANCIAL AID COVER?
Although a few financial aid programs such as Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) are restricted to covering tuition costs only, most student financial aid programs will provide coverage for the following expenses:
Tuition
Tuition is the money a person pays to take a course.
Fees
Each college will have an array of mandatory and optional fees. You can generally eliminate the optional fees but must pay the mandatory fees. Of course, do not hesitate to ask if any of the fees can be waived.
Books
Books can be very expensive depending on the courses you are taking. Try to buy used books from other students or the bookstore, or even check with the library to see if they can be checked out.
Commuting Expenses
These will include the obvious like gas and oil for the car but may also include parking fees on campus as well as a meal or snack at the college.
Personal Expenses
These vary from student to student but might include simple expenses like supplies and/or child care.
Make sure you understand all of the costs when enrolling in a course and make sure you have enough funds to start the semester with books, supplies, and travel even if your tuition costs are being paid for by financial aid programs. Many colleges will defer payment of all or part of your college bill until financial aid is received, but only if you have official award documents proving that you have been awarded a specific amount of financial assistance from the government or your employer.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE?
If they know that you are serious and determined, financial aid counselors at most schools are usually very willing to sit down with you and provide excellent advice and estimates of the types and amounts of financial aid you might expect to receive. Insist on speaking directly to a professional financial aid counselor. Help them help you by following the simple steps on pages 8-10.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
A Step-by-Step Plan
STEP 1 Apply for Admission
If you have not already done so, apply for admission. All of the financial assistance outlined in this guide requires formal admission in a degree or certificate program. This is frequently the first question a financial aid officer will ask to determine if you’re really serious.
STEP 2 Visit the Financial Aid Office
Meet with a professional financial aid counselor - not a receptionist or other office worker. Call for an appointment or to find out how your college/university handles customer service. Some schools have an advisor on duty all the time and appointments may not be necessary!
Make a list of your questions ahead of time. Plan to obtain the necessary forms including:
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid or file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Application for Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) available from your college
• Any other forms required by your school
STEP 3 File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
This form is used by and available at most public and private two and four-year colleges to evaluate your personal family financial situation. You may also file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Some private colleges may, in addition, use a slightly different form called the College Scholarship Services (CSS)
Financial Aid Profile available from www.collegeboard.com.
Information such as family income, assets, debts, non-taxable benefits, family size, and much more must be entered on one of these forms. All of this information is kept strictly confidential and is necessary to establish your eligibility for financial aid. The form can be obtained at your college financial aid office. Your college may also have a form of its own that they will require you to complete.
Complete these forms, or file online, as early as you can prior to when you want to begin school. This will help determine your eligibility for funds early and help the college get them to you faster so you can pay your bills. You must file a FAFSA each academic year (July through June) you attend. Summer is usually the first part of the academic year.
If you complete the form on paper, use the addressed envelope that is included with the application packet to send it to the processing office. This office uses the information to calculate your eligibility for all of the various federal student aid programs. They will send this information to your school and to you. The entire process can take four weeks or longer so you’ll want to do this as far ahead of class registration as possible. If you file online, the school usually has results within 10 working days. March or April is an ideal time – right after you finish doing your income tax return.
Don’t let all the paperwork intimidate you. For help call the Partnership at
800-253-4332.
STEP 4 Obtain an Application for Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) and File it With Your School
This application requires information from your New York State tax return to help determine your eligibility. Because a limited amount of funding is provided to each school for this program, each school determines who among their financially eligible applicants will receive these funds. The earlier you can file this application – the better!
STEP 5 Check with Your Employer
If your employer, agency, or union provides educational benefits, it can be used in addition to state and federal student financial aid. Be sure to apply for these benefits and talk to your personnel or training office to learn about any other available assistance.
STEP 6 Receive the Student Aid Report (SAR)
By filing the FAFSA, you will receive a document called a Student Aid Report or “SAR.” This confirms the exact information that was used to calculate your eligibility. This is an important opportunity to review the information you provided and make any corrections in your information or possible data entry errors before this information is used.
9
STEP 7 Make Any Needed Corrections
If you need to correct information on the SAR, you may either do it right on the form itself or online if you originally filed online. The paper SAR should be returned to the processing office or the college may be able to do it for you. Check with your college financial aid office before making corrections to see if they can do it faster and easier for you.
STEP 8 Review Your SAR
When you look at page one of your correct Student Aid Report, there will be a number at the top right called an “EFC.” This is the Expected Family Contribution calculated from all of the financial information you reported. In 2004-05, if the number is less than $3850 and you are enrolled at least half time, you are financially eligible for a Pell Grant, and possibly for other financial aid as well. See pages 3 and 4 for aid program descriptions.
Sometimes, you will be asked to verify the information on the Student Aid Report. This process will require you to submit additional information to the financial aid office at your school. Usually, this includes a verification form and signed copies of your federal tax return.
STEP 9 You May Receive an Award Letter from Your School
If the school you are going to attend is able to provide you with financial aid or if they believe you are eligible for certain aid programs, they may send you an award letter. This is a formal notice from the college listing both confirmed awards and the programs for which they believe you are eligible. The award letter may list both grants and loans. It is recommended you call the financial aid office to discuss this information with them.
STEP 10 Keep a Copy of Everything
Keep a file folder of photocopies of all forms you fill out and correspondence you receive about your financial aid. This can be a major help to both you and the financial aid office for the current year and for completing future applications.
KEY POINTS
• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid to apply for a Pell Grant, Stafford Loan, or other financial aid
• Obtain the Application for Part-Time Study from the college and file it with the college
• File a new application for each academic year
• Make sure you have enough funds to start the semester
• Keep copies of all application forms and correspondence
THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1 Apply for Admission
STEP 2 Visit Financial Aid Office to Obtain
· Estimate of eligibility for aid
· Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
· Application for Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
· Additional forms required by some colleges
P
STEP 3 Complete and File Free Application for Federal Student Aid
STEP 4 Complete and File Application for Aid for Part-Time Study
STEP 5 Check with your employer for other financial assistance
STEP 6 Receive Student Aid Report (SAR) and Review for Accuracy STEP
STEP
STEP 7 If Incorrect
Make corrections and ask financial aid office how best to file corrected SAR
STEP 8 If Correct
Contact the Partnership to discuss other forms of assistance.
STEP 9 You May Receive an Award Letter from Your School STEP
STEP 10 Keep a Copy of Everything
WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDRED IN COLLEGE TOO?
Up to now, we have been discussing your attendance in college and how to pay for your costs. You may also have a son or daughter in college or getting ready to go. How can you afford to be in college at the same time as your child?
The eligibility formula considers the number of dependent children in college and reduces the expected family contribution for each additional child in college. The formula also simultaneously increases the eligibility for a Pell Grant for all family members in college.
Generally, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated for the family of each student financial aid applicant. If there is only one dependent child in college, this is the contribution that would be expected from the family for one year of college. If the EFC is $6000 for a family with one person in college, they would be expected to contribute the full $6000 for that student.
If you have two dependent children in college, the EFC would be divided by two (the number in college). For example, if your EFC is $6000 and you have two dependents in college, the contribution for each student could be $3000. With three dependents in college, the EFC of $6000 would be divided by three ($2000 per student in college).
In the first example, our family with one dependent in college not only has a big contribution, they are not eligible for a Pell Grant. In the other two families, not only does their EFC for each family member drop, they are all eligible for a non-repayable Pell Grant as well.
Remember, each of these children must carry six or more credits of study in a degree program to qualify as a college student for financial aid purposes. So, do not hesitate to consider attending college even if you have more than one dependent child also attending.
If dependent children attending college are living at home, it may not cost that much more to have two in college since the only additional expense may be tuition and books. If you can receive assistance to help cover these costs, you can literally have two in college for little more than the cost of one!
The down side (which isn’t that bad) to this is that you must complete separate financial aid application materials for each college student in the family. Each student attending college must complete:
• A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Part-time students should complete the Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) application
Key Points When More Than One Individual Are In College
• Your eligibility for financial aid increases
• Each dependent child in college must file application materials, especially the FAFSA
• Each dependent child should be in a degree program
• Your costs may not be much higher than for one dependent child in college
• Help from the Partnership is a phone call away
All this may sound like a lot of paperwork but calling the Partnership
(800-253-4332) for help could be worth the effort.
DO SPECIAL FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY?
Other financial circumstances may also affect your eligibility for financial assistance. Special circumstances may include events like a long and expensive illness, hospital costs, a long layoff from work, unemployment, divorce or separation, and death of a wage earner.
If you believe that you have a special or unusual circumstance, be certain to speak with a financial aid counselor to find out how to show these facts on your application materials and increase your eligibility for assistance.
In the event of layoff or unemployment, you may also be eligible for special retraining funds from the NYS Department of Labor. Don't hesitate to inquire about these monies if you become laid off or unemployed.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO SAVE ON COLLEGE COSTS?
Transfer Courses
If you have taken courses at more than one college, transferring courses from one school to another could save you time and money. This is time you do not have to spend taking some of the same courses and money that you will not have to pay to retake similar courses.
Challenge Courses
One way to save time and money is to challenge a course. Many colleges allow students to "challenge" a course by taking a test without taking the course. For example, you may be asked to take a math course but you are pretty good at math and feel you already know the material in the course. You could take a test based on the course and by passing the test receive credit for the course. The cost for taking the test is much less than the tuition cost of the course.
Take Examinations for College Credit
There is a variety of different credit-by-examination programs available, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs), Excelsior College Examination Program, and Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP). Each of these testing programs offer a variety of different subject examinations and may earn you credit for several courses by successfully completing a single exam. If you have prior learning which has not earned college credit, check with your college admissions or registrar’s office to learn if one of these programs is right for you.
Obtain Course Credit for Prior Learning
Another way to get course credit and save money is to get credits for prior learning. By discussing your options with a college counselor you may find that your learning through work or leisure activities are worth college credit. This will help you accumulate course credits at a lesser cost as well as get you through the program more quickly.
Matriculate in a Degree Program
Matriculation simply means being officially accepted into a program leading to a specific degree. Matriculation is the key eligibility requirement for most forms of government financial aid.
By using these options and working closely with an advisor, either at the college or at the Partnership, you probably will get more out of these financial assistance programs than you had expected.
Federal Tax Credits
There are two tax credits (worth up to $2000) available for college tuition paid by you, your spouse and/or dependent. The HOPE Credit may be used during your first two years if you are attending college at least half-time, and the Lifetime Learning Credit may be used beyond the first two years or for any other tuition paid. Information is available at www.irs.gov.
WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & HELP?
Call the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend. You do not need to be an enrolled student to ask for their advice before you start applying for financial aid.
(These Telephone Numbers May Come in Handy)
NYS & CSEA PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
800-253-4332
Information about professional development, job skill needs, academic planning, financial aid, tuition benefits, non-traditional approaches to further education, adult education basics, and GED preparation.
FEDERAL PROCESSOR
800-433-3243
To get general information about Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
After you have filed your Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid, you can find out the status of it from this Processing Center number.
NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, STATE AND FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP UNIT
518-474-6394
Information is available regarding educational grants and scholarships, and the current status of funding. You can also obtain information about Native American
Grants.
Also included is general information regarding Aid for Part-Time Study, the Tuition Assistance Program, and the status of application processing.
Summary Tips
The following tips are a collection of the best general advice that experienced financial aid counselors recommend to help you get through the financial aid application process as easily and as effectively as possible.
• If you have questions about specific application procedures or requirements at your school, check with your school’s financial aid office. If more help is needed, ask for the director of financial aid.
• Know the deadlines for admission applications and financial aid forms. To get the best help, apply by these dates.
• Make sure all applications are complete and correct. Follow directions carefully. Make copies of all applications for your records.
• Be a degree student because the financial aid possibilities are much greater. There is no additional cost to be a degree student except the admissions Application fee.
• If you are seriously considering a college, make an appointment with the admissions office and the financial aid office. Call ahead to make sure the people you want to talk to will be available. Bring copies of your latest state and federal income tax returns to help the financial aid officer estimate your eligibility for aid.
• Keep copies of all applications, award notices, and dates of when you sent the applications so you will have a personal record of these transactions.
• It is not necessary to wait until filing your taxes before filing a FAFSA. Estimate amounts if necessary. Remember, you may be asked later to verify the accuracy of your information, correct it if necessary, and prove its accuracy with documents such as tax returns.
• Respond quickly and completely to requests for additional information.
• Review all information carefully. If you have questions - ASK. But make sure you ask a professional, not a neighbor, friend, or a fellow student.
• Make sure you keep letters of admission and all aid award letters sent to you.
• Know all of your expenses and do not forget to add costs for books, transportation, and incidentals.
• The FAFSA must be submitted each year.
• You can save expenses by challenging a course, seeking course credit for life experiences, or even taking college level exams. Ask your academic advisor about these options.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND AN ANSWER, CALL THE PARTNERSHIP AT 800-253-4332. STAFF WILL GIVE YOU THE ANSWER OR
TELL YOU WHO TO CONTACT.
A GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT TERMS
AID FOR PART-TIME STUDY (APTS) - A financial aid program for New York State residents to help students who are enrolled part-time in a degree program.
COST OF EDUCATION - The total costs to attend a college for a specific enrollment level for a specific time period.
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) - The amount of money that a family may be expected to pay towards the cost of education as determined by information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
FINANCIAL AID - A term used to discuss all the types of money available to students to help pay for the cost of education. This includes work programs, loans, and grants.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) - The main application used for applying for federal and institutional student financial aid.
FULL-TIME STUDY - Normally four courses per semester. Anything less than that would be considered part-time.
GRANTS - A type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid.
LOANS - A type of financial aid that must be repaid usually over a long period of time at a relatively low interest rate.
MATRICULATION - Simply a fancy word meaning that you are accepted in a degree program.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS - An academic standard used by each college to determine whether the student is allowed to continue receiving financial aid to help pay for the cost of education.
SCHOLARSHIP - A form of financial aid that is based on a person’s talent or merit like athletic ability or academic performance. Often not related to financial need.
STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR) - A form you receive back from the Federal Application Processing agency about six weeks after you mail in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you correctly listed your college(s) on the FAFSA, it isn’t necessary to send the SAR to your school. Your school gets the application data automatically.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) - A New York State grant program for full time, degree students. New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), the state agency which administers TAP, will forward an “Express TAP Application” automatically if you file the FAFSA.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Directory of Financial Aid for Women 2003-2005, Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Webb, Reference Service Press, El Dorado Hills, CA, 2005.
Don’t Miss Out: The Ambitious Student’s Guide to Financial Aid, Anna Leider, Octamaron Press, Alexandria, VA, September 2001.
Financial Aid Officers: What They Do To You and For You, 11th Edition, Donald R. Moore, Octamaron Press, Alexandria, VA, October 2000.
Financing Your College Degree: A Guide for Adult Students, David F. Finney, The College Board, New York, NY, 1997.
The Scholarship Book, 11th Edition, Daniel J. Cassidy, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 2004.
The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the
Downloadable Publications from the Partnership’s web site www.nyscseapartnership.org
1. Returning to Learning: Guide to Sound Decision Making – tips on making educational decisions, developing career plans, identifying options for school, and being an informed educational consumer.
2. Non-traditional Approaches to Further Education – a guide to alternatives for taking courses and gaining college credits including distance learning, credit-by-examination programs, and evaluation of prior learning.
3. Credit-By-Examination Programs – a description of the major examination programs available for getting college credits and how to use them. Included are CLEP, DSSTs, and Excelsior College Exams.
4. Tax Credits for Education – a guide to using the HOPE Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit to receive up to $2000 per year for tuition paid out-of-pocket or through loans.
5. Scholarship – how to find and effectively apply for local and national scholarships based on academic major, geographic location, and other factors.
Guide to Financial Aid for Working Adult Students – an easy-to-read booklet of tips for obtaining financial resources for the full-time worker and part-time student considering further education.
Educational Advisement Services – a description of the areas where Partnership advisors can offer advice on educational planning, alternative approaches to further education, educational financing, and adult basic education.
Financing Your Education: A Quick Reference Guide – a summary of the types of financial aid programs for adult students that can be combined to help pay for college in affordable ways.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources Web Sites
Federal Student Aid Info Center
www.studentaid.ed.gov
FAFSA On-line
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Guide to Financial Aid
www.finaid.org
HOPE and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits
www.irs.gov
NYS Tuition Tax Credit
www.tax.state.ny.us/forms
College Board
www.collegeboard.com/pay
Fast Web
www.fastweb.com
CollegeNET MACH 25
www.collegenet.com
For free advice in the areas of financial aid, professional development, job skills needs, educational planning, non-traditional approaches to further education, and adult education basics, employees can contact the Partnership.
Educational Advisement Staff
Joe Jabour
Brenda Purvis
Colleen Thompson
Peter Trolio
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
Corporate Plaza East – Suite 502
240 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY 12203
Call: 518-486-7814
800-253-4332 (areas outside Capital Region)
Fax: 518-473-9457
E-mail: advisors@nyscseapartnership.org
Visit: www.nyscseapartnership.org
The New York State & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation in employment, admission, or access to its programs or activities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided on request.
March 2005
Printed by NYS Department of Taxation & Finance CSEA-represented employees.